An aircraft part manufacturing device for automated composite lay up
includes a mandrel tool having a an interior mandrel surface that
conforms to an outside mold line (OML) of a part: to be manufactured. One
or more circular rings surround the mandrel and are attached to the
mandrel. The circular rings rotate supported by bearings in a bearing
cradle so that the mandrel rotates concentrically with the circular rings
about an axis of rotation passing through the center of the circular
rings. Multiple composite material delivery heads simultaneously deliver
material directly to the outside mold line on the interior mandrel
surface while the mandrel is rotated. A cantilever supported gantry beam
supports the material delivery heads inside the interior mandrel surface.
A connecting mechanism connects the material delivery heads to the gantry
beam and provides motion of the material delivery heads relative to the
interior mandrel surface.