System and method for bending tow prepregs

The present invention provides a method for bending a tow prepreg to produce an axial force of a desired magnitude during bending to form a preform, comprising inserting the tow prepreg into a bending die, applying an initial axial force to the tow prepreg, the gripping end of the tow prepreg is moved in an involute path using a cam, a cam follower, and a gripper disposed on the cam follower. While bending the tow prepreg, an axial force applied between the clamped end and the stationary end of the tow prepreg is tangential to the surface of the bending die from a point at which the tow prepreg contacts the surface of the bending die. An apparatus for bending a tow prepreg to form a preform is provided, including a bending die disposed in a fixed position, and a follower. An axial involute cam mechanism has a drive shaft, a cam, a cam follower that moves about the cam along an involute path, a gripper, and a clamp. 本发明提供用于弯曲丝束预浸材以在弯曲过程中产生期望大小的轴向力以形成预成型件的方法，包括将丝束预浸材插入弯曲模具中，向丝束预浸材施加初始轴向力，使用凸轮、凸轮从动件和夹持器在渐开线路径中移动