Edge stability

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12246497-B2
Application number	US-202117557895-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 21, 2021
Priority date	Dec 22, 2020
Publication date	Mar 11, 2025
Grant date	Mar 11, 2025

Abstract

A method and apparatus for cutting a Non-Crimp Fabric for improving edge stability and reducing stitch retraction is disclosed. The part of the NCF to be cut is treated with a binder and heated to activate the binder and therefore bind the tows and stitches together. By treating only the cutting path the drapability of the wider fabric is maintained. This may be achieved by heating only the part of the NCF to be cut, or applying binder to only the part of the NCF to be cut. The NCF may be compressed and cooled before cutting to improve binding action. A ply cutter may be adapted to carry out the invention by including a heat source and optionally a binder dispenser, compressor and cooler.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A method of cutting a fabric using an automated ply cutter, the fabric comprising a binder, and the automated ply cutter comprising a dispenser, a local heating unit, a pressure source, and a cutter, the method comprising:
identifying a cutting path on the fabric and moving the automated ply cutter along a cutting path, wherein the step of moving the automated ply cutter along the cutting path comprises:
using the dispenser to dispense binder onto the fabric along the cutting path;
using the local heating unit to activate the binder along the cutting path by heating the fabric; and
using the pressure source to compress the fabric along the cutting path; and
using the cutter to cut the fabric along the cutting path;
wherein the cutter, the pressure source, the heating unit, and the dispenser are positioned in sequence with respect to a direction of travel of the automated ply cutter.

2. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the pressure source is a roller and the fabric is compressed by passing the roller over the fabric.

3. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the pressure source is a foot and the fabric is compressed by the foot that slides over the fabric.

4. A method according to claim 1 , further comprising a step of cooling the fabric before the step of cutting the fabric.

5. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the local heating unit is an infra-red light source and the fabric is heated by exposure to the infra-red light source.

6. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the cutter is a reciprocating knife.

7. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the cutter is a rotary knife.

Assignees

• Airbus Operations Ltd
• Airbus Operations Gmbh

Inventors

• Seegel Hauke
• Bloom Dominic

Classifications

• B29L2031/3076

  Aircrafts (blades, propellers B29L2031/08) · CPC title

• B29K2307/04

  Carbon · CPC title

• D06H7/221

  by heat · CPC title

• D06H7/005

  characterized by means or processes to avoid or reduce fraying of the cut edge · CPC title

• B32B43/003

  Cutting · CPC title