Patent ID: 8146242

Claim:
A tool assembly for use in manufacturing composite laminates for aircraft, the tool assembly comprising: a tool plate having a tool surface configured to support one or more plies of fiber-reinforced resin material disposed thereon, the tool surface defining an outer mold line of an aircraft laminate; a movable support system operably coupled to the tool plate; a composite material applicator; a cutting machine; and a controller operably connected to the movable support system, the composite material applicator, and the cutting machine, wherein the movable support system is configured to respond to signals from the controller to automatically change the shape of the tool surface from a first shape to a second shape, different from the first shape, wherein the composite material applicator is configured to respond to signals from the controller to automatically apply fiber-reinforced resin material to the tool surface after the tool surface has changed into the second shape, and wherein the cutting machine is configured to respond to signals from the controller to automatically form a portion of the fiber-reinforced resin material after the material has been cured.