Composite manufacturing machine

Abstract

A composite manufacturing system has a tool having a substantially planar first portion and a substantially planar second portion, a first carriage configured to carry a first roller that is configured to selectively apply pressure to the first portion, a second carriage configured to carry a second roller that is configured to selectively apply pressure to the second portion, and the first carriage and the second carriage are movable relative to the tool.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method, comprising:
 providing tool comprising a substantially planar first portion and a substantially planar second portion joined to the first portion by a curved portion;   positioning a sheet of material vertically above the tool; and   pressing the sheet of material against the curved portion using a first roller.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 carrying the first roller and at least a portion of the sheet of material on a first carriage and moving the first carriage vertically downward relative to the tool while maintaining contact between the first roller and the sheet of material.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 carrying an actuator on the first carriage and operating the actuator to keep the first roller in contact with the sheet of material.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 while the first roller is applying pressure to the first portion, applying pressure to the curved portion using a second roller carried by a second carriage.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 carrying at least a portion of the sheet of material on the second carriage and moving the second carriage vertically downward relative to the tool while maintaining contact between the second roller and the sheet of material.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 applying pressure to the first portion using the first roller while applying pressure the second portion using the second roller.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 vertically moving the first carriage while the second carriage is vertically moved.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein an exterior of the tool is shaped generally complementary to an interior shape of a grip. 
     
     
         9 . A method, comprising:
 providing a tool comprising a substantially planar first portion and a substantially planar second portion;   providing a first carriage configured to carry a first roller and selectively applying pressure to the first portion using the first roller; and   providing a second carriage configured to carry a second roller and selectively applying pressure to the second portion using the second roller;   wherein the first carriage and the second carriage are independently vertically movable relative to the tool; and   wherein the first carriage and the second carriage are restricted to vertical movements over at least a portion of their movement.