A composites lamination system comprising a six-axis positioner and multiple removable heads (14, 51-54) for applying composite material to a tool , the system comprising: - a gantry and a wrist comprising the six-axis positioner , wherein the gantry has two spaced uprights that support a crossbeam , wherein the uprights and the crossbeam are movable in a X-axis; - a work zone for a tool positioned between the two spaced uprights ; - a movable column supported on the crossbeam , wherein the column is movable relative to the crossbeam in a Y-axis and a Z-axis, wherein the wrist is mounted on the column , wherein the wrist rotates around an I-axis parallel to the X-axis, around a J-axis parallel to the Y-axis, and around a K-axis parallel to the Z-axis; - a replaceable head (14, 51-54) mounted on the wrist on the end of the K-axis, whereby the gantry and the wrist provide six axis of motion for the replaceable head (14, 51-54), and removal of the head (14, 51-54) from the wrist allows the six axis of motion to remain with the positioner ; - a docking zone positioned outside of the work zone , and outside of the two spaced uprights ; - a plurality of docking stations (61-64) for the replaceable head (14, 51-54) in the docking zone , wherein at least one of the docking stations (61-64) comprising a live docking station , whereby the live docking station is able to couple at least one of electrical power, pneumatic power, and signals to a head (14, 51-54) positioned in the live docking station , wherein one end of the crossbeam extends beyond one of the spaced uprights and over the docking zone , whereby the column may travel across the crossbeam from a position over the work zone to a position over the docking zone , and whereby the column may deposit a head (14, 51-54) in an empty docking station (61-64) in the docking zone or pick up a head (14, 51-54) in the docking zone . - a gantry and a wrist comprising the six-axis positioner , wherein the gantry has two spaced uprights that support a crossbeam , wherein the uprights and the crossbeam are movable in a X-axis; - a work zone for a tool positioned between the two spaced uprights ; - a movable column supported on the crossbeam , wherein the column is movable relative to the crossbeam in a Y-axis and a Z-axis, wherein the wrist is mounted on the column , wherein the wrist rotates around an I-axis parallel to the X-axis, around a J-axis parallel to the Y-axis, and around a K-axis parallel to the Z-axis; - a replaceable head (14, 51-54) mounted on the wrist on the end of the K-axis, whereby the gantry and the wrist provide six axis of motion for the replaceable head (14, 51-54), and removal of the head (14, 51-54) from the wrist allows the six axis of motion to remain with the positioner ; - a docking zone positioned outside of the work zone , and outside of the two spaced uprights ; - a plurality of docking stations (61-64) for the replaceable head (14, 51-54) in the docking zone , wherein at least one of the docking stations (61-64) comprising a live docking station , whereby the live docking station is able to couple at least one of electrical power, pneumatic power, and signals to a head (14, 51-54) positioned in the live docking station , wherein one end of the crossbeam extends beyond one of the spaced uprights and over the docking zone , whereby the column may travel across the crossbeam from a position over the work zone to a position over the docking zone , and whereby the column may deposit a head (14, 51-54) in an empty docking station (61-64) in the docking zone or pick up a head (14, 51-54) in the docking zone . <EOS>