Patent ID: 7293590

Claim:
An automated composite tape laying apparatus to form a laminated structural shape having a plurality of deposited surface layers of continuous fibers selected from the group consisting of ceramics, metals, carbon, glass compositions and organic polymers which have been preimpregnated with a resin binder and provided with a releasable backing layer on both major surfaces, said apparatus including multi-directional tape laying means comprising: (a) a laterally moving head member to continuously apply the resin impregnated tape to the surface of said structural shape with compaction roller means from multiple spaced apart tape depositing means feeding the tape alternately to said compaction roller means when the head member is moving in another travel direction, each of said multiple tape depositing means having a pair of operationally cooperating mechanisms to first remove the backing layers from the resin impregnated tape and thereafter sever a predetermined length of the unbacked tape from the tape supply while still being continuously fed, (b) each backing layer removal mechanism having means enabling separation of the backing layers from the moving tape while further continuously accumulating the removed backing layers, (c) each tape severing mechanism including mechanical cutter means which cooperate with pinch roller means enabling forward tape movement when being fed while preventing backward tape movement during tape severance with said cutter means, (d) associated electrical control means to operate said head member in an automated sequential manner.