Abstract:
An apparatus, and method for laying up structural filaments. The apparatus includes an openable race providing a circular path for a carrier bearing a filament source. The carrier moves circumferentially within the race and may be formed as a centerless wheel. The carrier may be formed in sections to facilitate opening of the race to insert a workpiece.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
   This application claims the priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/642,790 filed Jan. 11, 2005 and entitled THE LOTUS MACHINE—A CENTER-LESS AND OPENABLE WHEEL TO BE USED FOR MANUFACTURING, PROCESSING, AND ANALYSIS OF LINEAR AND COMPLEX SHAPES. 

   THE FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention relates generally to methods and apparatus for controlling automatic tools and more particularly to tools for winding or wrapping objects. 
   BACKGROUND 
   Composite materials are the latest generation of lightweight and extremely strong materials. Currently, most military and commercial aircraft include large amounts of composite materials to achieve a strong, lightweight structure. However, the full potential of composite materials has not yet been realized in many commercial applications. 
   A typical composite material includes an extremely strong fiber, such as fiber glass, carbon (or graphite) fiber, boron fiber, KEVLAR®, or the like, suspended within a matrix, which is typically made of a polymer resin, such as epoxy. The matrix is typically much weaker structurally than the fiber. 
   The most common composite materials include short sections of chopped fiber mixed in with a resin. The resin-fiber mixture can be easily sprayed or smeared on a form to create a wide variety of shapes, such as fiberglass boat hulls. Such “engineering composites,” as they are called, offer flexibility and ease of use but fail to capture the full strength of the fiber. The composite is limited by the relative weakness of the resin matrix in which the fiber is suspended. 
   “Advanced composites” seek to remedy this problem by using continuous fibers wrapped around a form or mandrel. Advanced composites also seek to align the fibers such that their load bearing capacity is improved. Prior apparatus and methods for forming advanced composites are very limited in the shapes that may be made therewith. The principle limitation stems from the fact that prior systems rotate the part relative to a spool of filament. Shapes having closed loops, substantially closed loops, sharp angles, and branches are all impossible to wrap with a continuous filament where the workpiece is rotated. At higher speeds in particular, such shapes are eccentric and prone to vibration. Typically, parts made using prior systems are symmetric about a single axis and substantially straight, such as tubes or cylindrical tanks. 
   A “centerless wheel” approach has been used in the field of composites for in situ wrapping of roadway support pillars and for other large, straight structural members. In the centerless wheel method, a filament source moves within a circular race, or “centerless wheel,” surrounding the part. Such apparatus typically require that the entire workpiece pass through a permanently closed race around which the filament source moves or to which the filament source is mounted. Accordingly, shapes having closed loops, substantially closed loops, and branches cannot pass through the race. Other apparatus require extensive setup operations to assemble the circular race around the part to be wrapped and therefore are only practicably used for large straight shapes. 
   In other fields, tape and wire are applied to toroids and other shapes by mounting the tape or wire source to a circular carrier mounted within the circular race. Some of these systems provide a small gap in the carrier which is allignable with a corresponding gap in the race to permit insertion of a part. However, the small size of the gap limits the size of the part that may be processed. Furthermore, such systems have not been used in the field of composites. 
   In view of the foregoing, what is needed is a winding apparatus for laying continuous strands of composite material on structural members, including branched, closed loop, substantially closed loop, and sharply angled portions. The race should be readily opened and closed. The race when opened should allow insertion of parts occupying substantially all of the area encircled by the centerless race. It would be a further advancement in the art to provide such an apparatus that may be readily opened is and closed during the processing of an individual part to accommodate parts of varying size and structure. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   An apparatus for laying up filaments includes a race having a fixed portion secured to a support structure and defining a first arcuate path forming a first angular portion of a circular path. A hinged portion secures to the fixed portion and defines a second arcuate path forming a second angular portion of the circular path. A carrier is positioned within the circular path. The carrier may include a first carrier portion sized to occupy a substantial portion of the first arcuate path and a second carrier portion sized to occupy a substantial portion of the second arcuate path. A driver is secured to the fixed portion and sequentially engages the first and second carrier portions to move the first and second carrier portions within the circular path. A filament source mounts to the carrier and dispenses filament for winding a workpiece positioned within the apparatus. 
   In one method for using the invention, the hinged portion is pivoted away from the fixed portion. A branched or closed structure is positioned within the apparatus. The hinged portion is pivoted downwardly to complete the circular path. The driver actuates the carrier to revolve the filament source around the closed or branched structure. To wind the various branches of the branched structure, the hinged portion may be opened and closed to enable positioning of the various branches within the apparatus. 
   These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be set forth or will become more fully apparent in the description that follows. The features and advantages may be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. Furthermore, the features and advantages of the invention may be learned by the practice of the invention or will be obvious from the description, as set forth hereinafter. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The operation and functionality of the invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are, therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope, the invention will be described with additional specificity and detail through use of the accompanying drawings in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a centerless race and tool carrier, in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a centerless race and tool carrier having a filament source mounted thereto, in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a centerless race and tool carrier having multiple; filament sources mounted thereto, in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a race and carrier mounted within a shroud, in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of a race and carrier, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIGS. 6A and 6B  is a perspective view of sections of the race and carrier, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIGS. 7A-7E  are top plan views of shapes suitable for winding by a centerless race and tool carrier, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a race and carrier, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view illustrating driving surfaces of a carrier, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a drive gear and motor, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIGS. 11A-11C  are perspective views of a process for winding a branched structure, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 12  is a top view of a winding pattern for the yoke of a branched structure, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 13  is a top view of a winding pattern for the yoke of an alternative embodiment of a branched structure, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIGS. 14A and 14B  are top and perspective views of structures suitable for manufacture using the centerless race and tool carrier, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 15  is a perspective view of a centerless race and tool carrier mounted to a table actuator, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIGS. 16A-16E  are perspective views of 3D shapes that can be processed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 17  is a perspective view of a centerless race and carrier wheel mounted to an articulated arm, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIGS. 18A and 18B  are perspective views of a centerless race and carrier wheel with a mounted reservoir, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 19  is a perspective view of an electronically controlled centerless race and tool carrier, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIGS. 20A-20C  are perspective views of a centerless race and tool carrier having a carrier ring mounted to the carrier thereof, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 21  is a perspective view of a centerless race and tool carrier lashing structures together, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 22  is a perspective view of a centerless race and tool carrier bearing a cutting tool, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 23  is a perspective view of a centerless race and tool carrier bearing a filament guide, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIGS. 24A and 24B  are perspective views of a centerless race and tool carrier having multiple winding directions, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   It will be readily understood that the components of the present invention, as generally described and illustrated in the Figures herein, may be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following more detailed description of the embodiments of the system and method of the present invention, as represented in  FIGS. 1 through 24 , is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, as claimed, but it is merely representative of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention. The presently preferred embodiments of the invention will be best understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , an apparatus  10  may include a race  12  and a carrier  14 . In some embodiments of the present invention, the race  12  defines a circular path to guide the movement of the carrier  14 . In other embodiments, the race defines non-circular paths, such as oval and rectangular. However, the shape of the race&#39;s  12  path is not limited to these listed shapes and can be any shape one skilled in the art would find useful. The carrier  14  may have one or more tools  16  mounted thereto. In some embodiments, actuators  18  mount the tools  16  to the carrier  14 . A non-limiting list of actuators one skilled in the art could use includes motors, solenoids, and the like, for causing rotational and/or translational motion of the tools  16 . The tools  18  may be filament sources for winding or wrapping. Alternatively, the tools  16  may be suitable for milling, drilling, grinding, sanding, cutting, severing, or polishing. In other embodiments, a tool  16  may be a print-head for printing bar codes and the like or for depositing conductive traces. In still other embodiments, the tool  16  is an automated manufacturing tool such as a welder, part placement tool, or an articulated arm. Thus, it is evident that one skilled in the art could use a broad variety of tools as tool  16  of the present invention. 
   The embodiment shown in  FIG. 2  depicts spool  18  as the tool  16 . Other related embodiments include tools  16  that also have structures for storing filaments. The spool  18  may store filaments such as fiberglass, carbon fiber, pre-pregnated carbon fiber, boron fiber, KEVLAR, or the like. In this embodiment, the spool  18  is mounted on a spindle  20  enabling rotation of the spool  18 , such that the spool  18  releases filament as the filament is drawn toward the center of the race  12 . In this embodiment, a free end of the filament is bound to a workpiece  19  at the center of the race such that filament is wound around the workpiece  19  as the race  12  is rotated, drawing filament from the spool  18 . In other embodiments, the filament is bound to workpiece  19  at positions other than the center of the race  12 . In some embodiments, the speed at which the carrier  14  is rotating and the speed at which the workpiece is fed through the carrier  14  determines the angle of the filament relative to the workpiece  19 . For example, at slow feed rates and high carrier rotation speeds, windings may be closer to perpendicular to a feed direction of the workpiece  19 . At high feed rates and low carrier rotation speeds windings will be closer to parallel to a feed direction of the workpiece  19 . 
   In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , the spindle  20 , or spool  18  is secured to the carrier  14 . In this embodiment, the carrier  14  includes two or more sections  22   a ,  22   b , which, when combined, form a circular structure. Other embodiments include more sections. The race  12  also includes two sections  24   a,    24   b  forming a circular structure in this embodiment but includes more sections in other embodiments. The sections  24   a,    24   b  forming the race  12  are fastened and unfastened from one another to permit insertion of workpieces  19  into the apparatus  10 . The sections  24   a,    24   b  of the carrier  14  are free to move within the race  12  and remain unfastened to one another. In this embodiment, a spindle  20  is secured to each section  22   a,    22   b.  The embodiment of  FIG. 3  depicts one instance where more than two spindles  20  are secured to each section  22   a,    22   b.  In other embodiments, an apparatus  10  includes a single spindle  20  secured to either one of the sections  22   a,    22   b.    
   Referring to  FIG. 4 , in some embodiments a shroud  30  may surround the race  12 , carrier  14 , and spindles  20 . The shroud  30  may serve to protect operators and workpieces  19  from damage from the rotating spindles  20  which sometimes protrude from the carrier  12 . The shroud  30  may include separate sections  32   a,    32   b  that are separable to permit separation of the sections  24   a,    24   b  forming the race  12 . In some embodiments the sections  32   a,    32   b  secure directly to the sections  24   a,    24   b,  respectively. 
   Referring to the embodiment of  FIG. 5 , the race  12  has a guide  40  formed therein, or secured thereto. The carrier  14  may have a key  42 , or like structure, which engages the guide  40  such that the carrier is constrained to rotational movement within the guide  40 . The guide  40  may be embodied as a groove or rail formed on the sides, inside surface, or outside surface, of the race  12 . In the illustrated embodiment, the guide  40  is a groove  44  formed on the side of the carrier  14 . The guide  40  may have the cross section illustrated in  FIG. 5  shaped to retain the key  42  in both the radial direction  46  and the lateral direction  48 , while permitting sliding of the key  42  circumferentially within the guide  40 . 
   Referring to the embodiment of  FIG. 6A , the sections  22   a,    22   b  of the carrier  14  have an angular size  60  such that the combined sections  22   a,    22   b  form a 360 degree arc. The sections  22   a,    22   b  may have angular sizes that are equal or unequal. In the illustrated embodiment each section  22   a,    22   b  has an equal angular size of 180 degrees. In some embodiments, the sections  24   a,    24   b  forming the race  12  each have an angular size corresponding to a section  22   a,    22   b.  Thus, if the sections  22   a,    22   b  have angular sizes 60 of 270 degrees and 90 degrees, respectively, then sections  24   a,    24   b  also have angular sizes approximating 270 degrees and 90 degrees, respectively. 
   In this embodiment, sections  22   a,    22   b  when combined form a working envelope, which is defined as the volume formed by revolving a rectangle  64  about an axis of symmetry  66  of the race  12 . The rectangle  64  has a length approximately equal to the inside diameter of the race  12  and a width approximately equal to the width of the combined race  12 , carrier  14 , and spools  18 . The envelope may be further defined by areas  68  representing the space occupied by the shroud  30  or through which the spindles  20  pass during operation. Referring to  FIG. 6B , the work envelope  64   b  is defined by distance  70   b  between circles  68   b  which are circumscribed around the rectangles  68 . The work envelope  64   b  is particularly useful when dealing with non-linear workpieces. As an example, the S-shaped structure  69  of  FIG. 7A  occupies a substantial portion of the area  64   b  and abuts the areas  68   b.  In a similar manner, the U-shaped structure  71  of  FIG. 7B  may be operated on by the apparatus  10  inasmuch as the area  68   b  is smaller than the area between the legs of the U-shaped structure  71  and the thickness of the structure  71  is smaller than the rectangle  64   b.  A closed shape, such as O-shaped structure  73  of  FIG. 7C  may likewise be operated on by the apparatus  10  inasmuch as an open area within the structure  75  is at least as large as the area  68   b  and the thickness of the structure is smaller than the rectangle  64 . In some embodiments, the separability of the sections  22   a,    22   b  of the carrier  14  and the sections  24   a,    24   b  of the race  12  enables closed loops, such as the O-shaped structure  73  of  FIG. 7C  to be wound by the apparatus  10 . Structures having obtuse angles as in  FIG. 7D  and acute angles  7 E may likewise be wound using the apparatus  10 . 
   Windings substantially tangent to the interior edge of the O-shaped structure  73  may be achieved by coordinating the feed rate of the structure through the carrier  14  and the rotation speed of the carrier  14 . In a like manner, some embodiments of the present invention achieve windings with angles relative to the structures illustrated in  FIGS. 7A-7E . 
   In some embodiments, the angular size  60  of the sections  22   a,    22   b  determines an insertion size of the apparatus  10 . For example, where the sections  22   a,    22   b  have angular sizes  60  of 180 degrees, the insertion size is the inside diameter  70  of the carrier  14 . Whereas in other embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 8 , for angular sizes  60  of more than 180 degrees, the insertion size may be reduced to the distance  72  between the ends of the sections  22   a,    22   b  having the larger angular size. 
   Also the apparatus as seen in  FIG. 8  may function as shown without an additional race  12  or carrier  14  segment, so long as the carrier  14  can cross the gap in the race  12  and continue to rotate (this setup would require a belt drive or multiple motors, to compensate for the gap in the shuttle). 
   Referring to the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the sections  22   a,    22   b  may have a driving surface  80  secured thereto. The driving surface  80  may engage a driver  82 , which is powered by an electric motor (not shown), or like means for supplying rotational force. In the illustrated embodiment, the driving surface  80  is a series of gear profiles  84  which engage a driver  82  embodied as a gear  86 . The gear  86  is mounted on a shaft  88  that extends at least partially through the race  12 , such that the gear  86  is positioned with the teeth thereof within the guide  40  in engagement with the gear profiles  84 . In some embodiments, the shaft  88  extends outwardly from the race  12  in order to engage a source of rotational force, such as an electric motor (not shown). 
   Various embodiments of driver  82  and driving surface  80  are possible. For example, the driving surface  80  may be embodied as a high friction surface, such as a rubber layer or textured surface, which engages the driver  82  embodied as a roller, which may likewise have a high friction surface. In embodiments of the invention having a single section  22   a,    22   b  multiple drivers  82  or drivers  82  engaging a substantial angular portion of the driving surface  80  may be used, inasmuch as the rotational movement of the carrier  14  will periodically position a gap over the driver  82 . 
     FIGS. 11A-11C  show examples of a method of operating the apparatus  10 . In one embodiment, a T-shaped mandrel  90  having branches  92   a - 92   c  joining at a yoke  94  are wound with a filament discussed hereinabove. A first branch  92   a  may pass through the race  12  and carrier  14  as the carrier  14  and spindle  20  revolve thereabout depositing windings of filament thereon. After the branch  92   a  passes through to the yoke  94 , the sections  22   a,    22   b  of the carrier  14  and the sections  24   a,    24   b  of the race  12  are separated, such as by a hinged motion, permitting the branch  92   b  to pass therethrough, as shown in  FIG. 11B . The sections  22   a,    22   b  of the carrier  14  and the sections  24   a,    24   b  of the race  12  may then be rejoined surrounding the branch  92   c  as shown in  FIG. 11   b.  The sections  22   a,    22   b  of the carrier  14  and the sections  24   a,    24   b  of the race  12  may again be opened to position the carrier  14  and race  12  around the branch  92   b.  The steps illustrated in  FIGS. 11A-11C  may be executed in various orders and numbers of iterations to achieve a deposited layer of filament sufficiently strong for an intended application. 
   Referring to  FIG. 12 , in one embodiment, the yoke  94  may be wound in the pattern illustrated. The yoke  94  may be passed through the carrier  14  and race  12  to deposit windings  96   a.  The sections  22   a,    22   b  of the carrier  14  and the sections  24   a,    24   b  of the race  12  may then be opened and the yoke  94  repositioned to deposit windings  96   b  at the opposite side of the yoke  94 . The steps illustrated in  FIGS. 11A-11C  and  FIG. 12  may be executed in various orders and numbers of iterations to achieve a deposited layer of filament sufficiently strong for an intended application. 
   Branched shapes other than the T-shaped structures  90  as shown in  FIGS. 11A-11C  and  12  may be advantageously manufactured. For example, the Y-shaped structure  93  of  FIG. 13  may provide yoke  94  which is readily wound. Windings may be applied to branches  92   a - 92   c  as in  FIGS. 11A-11C . However, the Y-shaped configuration of  FIG. 13  enables a single winding  98  to be applied to the yoke  94 . 
   Mandrels including combinations of curved, closed, and branched structures may also be operated on in some embodiments by the apparatus  10  inasmuch as the spool  18  moves relative to the structure and high speed revolution of the structure is not required. Such combinations of shapes may include a bicycle frame  99  of  FIG. 14A  or a table&#39;s legs  101  of  FIG. 14B . 
   Referring to  FIG. 15 , in some embodiments, various aspects of the operation of the apparatus  10  may be automated to improve speed and consistency of use. For example, in some embodiments, the apparatus  10  is mounted to a table actuator  103  moving in an X-Y plane and providing for rotation of the apparatus  10  about a vertical axis orthogonal to the X-Y plane. This setup facilitates the processing of two-dimensional shapes like those found in  FIGS. 7  and  FIG. 11 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 16A-16E , these shapes are  3  dimensional versions of the Lotus Shapes introduced in  FIGS. 7A-7E  and  FIGS. 11 .  FIG. 16A  is a 3 dimensional representation of an L shape  105  like that in  FIG. 7D .  FIG. 16B  is a 3 dimensional representation of an O shape  107 , like that in  FIG. 7C .  FIG. 16C  is a 3 dimensional representation of a T shape  109  like that in  FIGS. 11A-11C .  FIG. 16D  is a 3 dimensional representation of a U shape  111  like that in  FIG. 7B and 7E .  FIG. 16E  is a 3 dimensional representation of an S shape  113  like that in  FIG. 7A . 
   Referring to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 17 , the apparatus  10  is mounted to an articulated arm  110  while the workpiece  112  is mounted to a fixture  114 . 
   Referring to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 18A , the apparatus  10  may be configured to do ‘dry winding’ by carrying a supply of resin in a reservoir  138  affixed on the carrier  14  along with dry fiber  150  on a spool  18 . The resin may be applied to the dry fiber by means already practiced in the art, such as by rollers, by spray, by drawing the fibers through a bath of resin, etc. Referring to  FIG. 18B , an apparatus  10  may be configured to do ‘dry winding’ by having a large remote reservoir  152  of resin and the resin drawn through the race  12  via a slip ring to the carrier  14  to the smaller reservoir  138  at which point the fiber may be wetted by means already practiced in the art. 
   Referring to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 19 , the apparatus  10  may include means for electrical control and sensing of the operation of the apparatus  10 . In this embodiment, a device  120  automates opening and closing of the race  12  and carrier  14 . In some embodiments, the device  120  is a gear driven device, hydraulic device, solenoid or like device. The device  120  may be positioned near a pivot point  122 . A latch  124  may be electrically, hydraulically, or mechanically controlled to automatically secure and release the sections  24   a,    24   b  of the race  12  to one another. A sensor  126  may detect whether the sections  24   a,    24   b  of the race  12  have closed. A sensor  128  may detect the position of the sections  22   a,    22   b  to, for example, determine whether they are aligned with the sections  24   a,    24   b,  respectively, in order to determine whether the race  12  can be opened. A multi-axis tool control assembly  130  may secure to the carrier  14  and control movement of a tool in radial and lateral directions. A multi-axis tool control assembly  130  may also cause tool movement in the circumferential direction. Power and control signals may be delivered to the multi-axis tool control assembly  130  through “slip ring” conductive tracks along the carrier  14  which engage substantially stationary contact points on the race  12 . Tracks for power input, control signal input, and ground may be provided, though additional tracks may also be used. For split carrier  14  and race  12 , a “split slip ring” is ideal, while other conductive tracks used by those skilled in the art may also be effectively used. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 20A-20C , in one alternative embodiment a carrier ring  132  mounts to the carrier half  22   b  and spool  18  mounts to the carrier half  22   a.  Referring to  FIG. 20A , the race halves  24   a  and  24   b  are affixed to handle halves  116  that can be opened and closed around a workpiece  112 . Next, referring to  FIG. 20B , a carrier ring  132  may be further positioned around the workpiece  112  and tape  118  may be attached to the workpiece  112 . Referring to  FIG. 20C , a handle  116  can be pushed and pulled by hand in a circular motion perpendicular to the workpiece  112  moving the machine  10  in a path parallel to the workpiece  112  such that rotation of the carrier  14  causes a tape or filament  118  to be drawn from the spool  18  and wrapped around the workpiece  112 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 21 , the ability of the apparatus  10  to open to receive closed loops may enable the apparatus  10  to serve a lashing function. For example, a closed shaped structure  134   a,  and a U shaped structure  134   b  may be positioned within the carrier  14  such that filament is simultaneously wound around both structures  134   a,    134   b.  In some embodiments related to FIG.,  21  the material being wrapped on the table may be a natural material such as rattan instead of aerospace composites. 
   Referring to  FIG. 22 , various applications for the mobility and accessibility provided by the invention exist. For example, in this embodiment, a cutting tool  136 , or other machining tool, may mount to the carrier  14  to remove material from workpiece  112 . In some embodiments the tool  136  may be adjustable manually or automatically in a radial direction relative to the carrier  14 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 23 , in some embodiments one or more eyelets  140  secures to the carrier  14  and guides the filament being drawn from the spool  18 . The eyelet  140  may be spaced apart a distance  142  from the carrier  14 . In some embodiments, the distance  142  is adjustable to accommodate parts of different sizes, and when mounted to the tool  136 , can articulate to precisely place material on complex cross-sections. 
   Referring to  FIG. 24A , in one embodiment a second filament source deposits fibers parallel or substantially parallel to the direction of travel of the work piece  112  through the apparatus  10 . For example, one or more spools  144  deposit fibers  146 . The fibers  146  are lashed by fibers  148  deposited by the spools  18 . The fibers  146  may be disposed at regular intervals around the workpiece  112 . The position of the spools  144  relative to the workpiece  112  may change as the workpiece  112  is fed through to ensure deposition of fibers  146  over the entire circumference of the workpiece  112 . For example the carrier bearing spools  144  is in its own race  12  and the carrier  14  bearing spools  18  is in its own race  14 . These races are back to back and spin their separate carriers independent of each other. The carrier bearing spools  144  may rotate at a slower speed than the carrier bearing the spools  18  in order to deposit fibers at differing angles to build a part having improved structural properties. Referring to  FIG. 24B , zero degree fibers  146 , coming from a remote source of much larger capacity, may be placed on the workpiece  112  and then those fibers may be overwound by fibers  148  placed by apparatus  10 . 
   Those of ordinary skill in the art will, of course, appreciate that various modifications to the details illustrated in the schematic diagrams of  FIGS. 1 through 24  may easily be made without departing from the essential characteristics of the invention. Thus, the foregoing description is intended only as an example, and simply illustrates several presently preferred embodiments consistent with the invention as claimed herein. 
   The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative, and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims, rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.