Patent ID: 7472736

Claim:
A device to fabricate a composite item, the device comprising: a modular end effector to place tows, the end effector comprising: an integrated creel constructed and arranged to store a supply of a tow, wherein the creel includes an assembly of spindles adapted to detachably secure spools of the tow, wherein a longitudinal axis extends along a centerline of said integrated creel and said assembly of spindles are arranged such that a longitudinal axis of said assembly of spindles is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said integrated creel; and a compaction device adapted to receive delivery of the tow from the spools, wherein said compaction device is configured to move along the longitudinal axis of said integrated creel to apply the tow to a form, and wherein said assembly of spindles are disposed circumferentially about said compaction device and about the longitudinal axis of said integrated creel; and a positioning device to position the end effector, wherein the end effector is detachably secured to the positioning device.