US5024862A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automated cutting and kitting system of composite material and method
Assignee: Boeing Co
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Filing: 1990-09-19
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Granted: 1991-06-18
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Expires: 2010-09-19
Abstract
Abstract An automated cutting and kitting system for preimpregnated composite material and method by which a layup of a plurality of plies of at least two types of preimpregnated composite material is cut and stored. Each ply of a given type of preimpregnated composite material is aligned in the order in which it is positioned in the layup, cut in accordance with a predetermined shape and stored such that the top ply in the layup is stored first. The different types of preimpregnated composite material are supported on a supply which is indexed to present the particular type of material required by the layup.
Inventors
- 👤 Ed Frank
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 04:23
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C70/00; B29C70/04; B29C70/28; B29C70/30; B26; B26D; B26D7/00; B26D7/01; B26D7/018; B26D7/18; B26F; B26F1/00; B26F1/38; B26F1/3806; B26F1/3813; B29C70/54; B26F2210/00; B26F2210/12; B29C2793/00; B29C2793/0081; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T156/00; Y10T156/12; Y10T156/13
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
An automated cutting and kitting system for at least two types of preimpregnated composite material, comprising: preimpregnated composite material supply means containing a supply of each type of preimpregnated composite material; means for indexing said supply means for presenting a selected type of preimpregnated composite material for cutting; means for cutting a selected type of preimpregnated composite material presented from said supply means to form a series of cut plies; means for sequentially shaping each cut ply by cutting each said ply in accordance with a preselected outline; and means for kitting each shaped ply by storing each shaped ply for subsequent use in a layup in accordance with its position in the layup.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
114 words
An automated cutting and kitting system for at least two types of preimpregnated composite material, comprising: preimpregnated composite material supply means containing a supply of each type of preimpregnated composite material; means for indexing said supply means for presenting a selected type of preimpregnated composite material for cutting; means for cutting a selected type of preimpregnated composite material presented from said supply means to form a series of cut plies; means for sequentially shaping each cut ply by cutting each said ply in accordance with a preselected outline; and means for kitting each shaped ply by storing each shaped ply for subsequent use in a layup in accordance with its position in the layup.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The automated cutting and kitting system as defined in claim 1, further comprising: means for marking each cut ply with the outline of the immediately preceding cut ply.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The automated cutting and kitting system as defined in claim 1, wherein said means for kitting comprises a cylindrical container which is detachable from said system.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
The automated cutting and kitting system as defined in claim 1, further comprising: conveyor means situated between said cutting means and said kitting means for receiving said plies and conveying said plies in the order in which they are cut.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The automated cutting and kitting system as defined in claim 4, wherein said conveyor means includes vacuum means for retaining said cut plies in order on said conveyor means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The automated cutting and kitting system as defined in claim 4, wherein said means for cutting and said means for shaping are both mounted to said conveyor means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The automated cutting and kitting system as defined in claim 6, wherein said means for shaping includes a pair of cutters mounted to move in synchronism transversely to the direction of movement of said conveyor means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
82 words
The automated cutting and kitting system as defined in claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of conveyor means situated between said cutting means and said means for kitting for receiving said plies and conveying said plies in the order in which they are cut; means for displacing said preimpregnated composite material supply means together with said means for indexing between said plurality of conveyor means; and means for displacing said means for kitting each shaped ply between said plurality of conveyor means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The automated cutting and kitting system as defined in claim 6, wherein each conveyor means includes vacuum means for retaining said cut plies in order on said conveyor means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The automated cutting and kitting system as defined in claim 8, wherein each conveyor means includes means for cutting and means for shaping mounted thereon.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
The automated cutting and kitting system as defined in claim 10, wherein each said means for shaping includes a pair of cutters mounted to move in synchronism transversely to the direction of movement of their respective conveyor means.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
81 words
A method of cutting and kitting a layup of a plurality of plies of at least two types of preimpregnated composite material, comprising the steps of: aligning each ply of a given type of preimpregnated composite material in the order in which it is to be positioned in the layup; sequentially cutting each ply in accordance with a predetermined shape; and kitting the cut plies by storing the cut plies such that the top ply of the layup is stored first.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
81 words
A method of cutting and kitting a layup of a plurality of plies of at least two types of preimpregnated composite material, comprising the steps of: aligning each ply of a given type of preimpregnated composite material in the order in which it is to be positioned in the layup; sequentially cutting each ply in accordance with a predetermined shape; and kitting the cut plies by storing the cut plies such that the top ply of the layup is stored first.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of cutting and kitting as defined in claim 12, further comprising the step of: marking the predetermined shape of a ply onto the immediately subsequent cut ply in said alignment.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-06-17 | 1994-12-17 | 1995-06-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-06-17 | 1998-12-17 | 1999-06-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-06-17 | 2002-12-17 | 2003-06-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |