Patent ID: 6467521
Filing Date: 2002-10-22
Classification: B29C,B29L,B32B

Abstract:
Apparatus for controlling the fiber angle of a fiber tow embedded in a carrier comprising:a first pair of rollers including a first and second roller, at least a third roller, said fiber tow pressed between the first and second rollers and passing adjacent said third roller for movement along a first direction due to rotation of the first, second and third rollers, a first drive mechanism for rotating said first, second and third rollers, a second drive mechanism connected to at least one of said first pair of rollers and said third roller, said second drive mechanism responsive to control signals for displacing said at least one of said first pair of rollers and said third roller axially along the rotation axis of said at least one of said first pair of rollers and said third roller, an electronic controller connected to said second drive mechanism for generating said control signals to control the amount of axial displacement of said at least one of said first pair of rollers and said third roller; and wherein said carrier comprises a matrix material in the form of a rolled sheet and said apparatus further comprising at least one support roller for securing said matrix material, said at least one support roller positioned for feeding said matrix material for contact with said third roller level with said fiber tow for at least partially securing said fiber tow in place within said matrix material.