Patent ID: 8303757

Claim:
A method of fabricating a composite item, the method comprising the steps of: positioning a preform on a mandrel, the preform having a first end and a second end and a pair of net trim lines located adjacent to respective ones of the first and second ends of the preform; forming a tensioning groove on the mandrel in at least one of the following locations: between the first end of the preform and the net trim line adjacent thereto; between the second end of the preform and the net trim line adjacent thereto; securing the first end of the preform to the mandrel; securing the second end of the preform to the mandrel; urging a block into an anchoring groove formed on a continuous surface of the mandrel to secure at least one of the first and second ends of the preform to the mandrel; urging the preform into the tensioning groove with a tensioning device; and increasing tension in the preform using the tensioning device after securing the first and second ends of the preform to the mandrel.