Patent ID: 8580060

Claim:
An apparatus for preparing a pre-form comprising at least one layer of fibre tows being at least partly fixed by a resin, wherein the apparatus comprises: a work surface; a fibre tow distribution device comprising a plurality of distribution passages, each distribution passage being adapted for receiving and delivering a fibre tow, and the passages being arranged to provide a distribution distance between the delivered fibre tows; a fibre tow retention device adapted to retain a plurality of fibre tows; and a manipulation device adapted to move the fibre tow distribution device relative to the fibre tow retention device; wherein the apparatus is arranged so that free ends of the fibre tows can be delivered from the fibre tow distribution device to the fibre tow retention device, and the fibre tow retention device is adapted for retention of the free ends at the distribution distance so that mutual movement of the fibre tow distribution device and the fibre tow retention device away from each other causes drawing of the fibre tows through the distribution passages and distribution of the fibre tows onto the work surface.