Patent ID: 7651650
Filing Date: 2010-01-26
Classification: B29C

Abstract:
1. A method for using a composite charge for forming composite materials, the method comprising: attaching a pulling device to a composite charge that includes a plurality of laminate plies, the pulling device for pulling the composite charge over a mandrel; positioning an indexing boom at a first predetermined location in proximity to the mandrel; pulling the composite charge over the mandrel with the pulling device; stopping the pulling device at a second predetermined position in proximity to the indexing boom; lifting the mandrel to move the composite charge from a first elevation to a second elevation relative to a plurality of former beams, the second elevation being closer to the plurality of former beams than the first elevation; inflating forming bladders of the plurality of former beams to force the composite charge to conform to the mandrel; heating the composite charge between the forming bladders and the mandrel with heater plates; lowering the mandrel from the second elevation to a third elevation to move the heated composite charge away from the plurality of former beams, the second elevation being closer to the plurality of former beams than the third elevation; and curing the composite charge on the mandrel at a vacuum bag location.