A lamination head having bi-directional layup capability, comprising: a material supply drum configured to support a material roll of backed material , the backed material comprising layup material backed by a backing layer ; a backing layer separation assembly configured to receive the backed material from the material supply drum and having a backing layer directional control device , a first backing layer separation mechanism , and a second backing layer separation mechanism ; the backing layer directional control device being movable at least between a first mode separation position and a second mode separation position ; the backing layer directional control device in the first mode separation position being aligned with the first backing layer separation mechanism for separating the backing layer from the layup material while the layup material is applied to a substrate as the lamination head moves along a first direction of travel ; and the backing layer directional control device in the second mode separation position being aligned with the second backing layer separation mechanism for separating the backing layer from the layup material while the layup material is applied to the substrate as the lamination head moves along a second direction of travel opposite the first direction of travel ; wherein the first backing layer separation mechanism and the second backing layer separation mechanism each have a backing layer separator and a guide member ; wherein the backing layer separator having a separator edge configured to separate the backing layer from the layup material ; and wherein the guide member having a guide surface configured to support the layup material after separation from the backing layer and guide the layup material onto the substrate . a material supply drum configured to support a material roll of backed material , the backed material comprising layup material backed by a backing layer ; a backing layer separation assembly configured to receive the backed material from the material supply drum and having a backing layer directional control device , a first backing layer separation mechanism , and a second backing layer separation mechanism ; the backing layer directional control device being movable at least between a first mode separation position and a second mode separation position ; the backing layer directional control device in the first mode separation position being aligned with the first backing layer separation mechanism for separating the backing layer from the layup material while the layup material is applied to a substrate as the lamination head moves along a first direction of travel ; and the backing layer directional control device in the second mode separation position being aligned with the second backing layer separation mechanism for separating the backing layer from the layup material while the layup material is applied to the substrate as the lamination head moves along a second direction of travel opposite the first direction of travel ; wherein the first backing layer separation mechanism and the second backing layer separation mechanism each have a backing layer separator and a guide member ; wherein the backing layer separator having a separator edge configured to separate the backing layer from the layup material ; and wherein the guide member having a guide surface configured to support the layup material after separation from the backing layer and guide the layup material onto the substrate . <EOS>