Patent ID: 8052823

Claim:
A method of forming an elongated composite member, the method comprising: coupling a first mandrel to a first flipper of a stiffener tool positioning apparatus; coupling a second mandrel to a second flipper of the stiffening tool positioning apparatus; forming at least one ply of fibers on the first mandrel; forming at least one ply of fibers on the second mandrel; rotating the first and the second flipper so that select surfaces of the first and second mandrels are aligned with each other; compressing the at least one ply of fibers on the select surface of the first mandrel with the at least one ply of fibers on the select surface of the second mandrel with the first and second flippers to mate the plies of fibers; and removing the first and second mandrels from the first and second flippers; rotating the first and second mandrels 180 degrees; attaching the first mandrel to the second flipper; attaching the second mandrel to the first flipper; and applying at least one ply of fibers overlaying a second side of the mated plies of fiber.