Patent ID: 6214279
Filing Date: 2001-04-10
Classification: B22F,B29C,B29K,B33Y,Y02P

Abstract:
A process for fabricating a net-shape reinforcement preform for a composite material part, in a layer-by-layer manner comprising(a) providing a work surface lying substantially parallel to an X-Y plane of an X-Y-Z Cartesian coordinate system defined by three mutually perpendicular X-, Y- and Z-axes;(b) positioning a material deposition device at a predetermined initial distance from said work surface, said deposition device comprising at least a reinforcement dispensing tool and an adhesive dispensing tool;(c) operating and moving said material deposition device relative to said work surface along selected directions in said X-Y plane to deposit first layer of selected reinforcement and adhesive compositions onto said work surface, said first layer being of a predetermined cross-sectional shape on said X-Y plane and a predetermined thickness in said Z-axis direction;(d) moving said material deposition device away from said work surface along said Z-axis direction by a predetermined distance,(e) operating and moving said material deposition device to deposit another layer of selected reinforcement and adhesive compositions of another predetermined cross-sectional shape and thickness, and(f) repeating steps (d) and (e) to deposit multiple layers of reinforcement and adhesive compositions for forming said net-shape reinforcement preform.