Patent ID: 8360126
Filing Date: 2013-01-29
Classification: B29C,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A drive roll assembly for a fiber placement head for applying fiber composite material to an application surface, the drive roll assembly comprising: a drive roll and a backup roll comprising the drive roll assembly; a drive roll nip formed between the drive roll and the backup roll; at least one cutter mechanism mounted on the drive roll for cutting fiber composite material; a cam mounted inside the outer surface of the drive roll; a displaceable cutter comprising the cutter mechanism, the cam actuating the displaceable cutter from a retracted position to sever the fiber composite material; an ejector mechanism mounted on the drive roll behind the cutter mechanism, the ejector mechanism positively displacing the leading end of the cut fiber composite material away from the surface of the drive roll; an ejector foot comprising the ejector mechanism; a surface on the ejector foot for engaging the cam, whereby the ejector foot is actuated from a retracted position by the cam to displace the leading end of the cut fiber composite material away from the surface of the drive roll; and, an upstream fiber path chute for delivering composite fiber to the drive roll nip; and, a downstream fiber path chute for receiving composite fiber from the drive roll nip, the upstream and downstream fiber path chutes being aligned in a straight line path with the drive roll nip, whereby the ejector mechanism displaces the fiber composite material so that it will feed into the downstream fiber path chute.