Adhesive bonding and miscellaneous chemical manufacture – Methods – Surface bonding and/or assembly therefor
Reexamination Certificate
2006-02-01
2009-10-13
Aftergut, Jeff H (Department: 1791)
Adhesive bonding and miscellaneous chemical manufacture
Methods
Surface bonding and/or assembly therefor
C156S230000, C156S250000
Reexamination Certificate
active
07601237
ABSTRACT:
An apparatus and accompanying method for handling fabrics used in the construction of composite components and in particular those used in aircraft includes a movable, gantry-type frame assembly having a movable robotic arm attached thereto. A drum assembly, attached to the robotic arm has one or more vacuum ports disposed along the surface of the drum. When vacuum from within the drum is applied to the ports and the drum is moved to contact flexible fabric material—such as the reinforcement fabric used for composite manufacture—an end of the fabric may be picked up through the effect of the applied vacuum and the fabric rolled-up around the drum. The movable gantry and/or the robotic arm may then move the drum to a desired location where the fabric is unrolled and prepared for composite manufacture. Variations to the vacuum ports permit the rolling and transport of a variety of materials and shapes.
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Brown Toni K
Burgess Roger A.
Pickell Robert
Aftergut Jeff H
Poole James M.
The Boeing Company
Yee & Associates P.C.
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