A flexible material rolling machine

A flexible material rolling machine comprises a driven first material storage spool or roller 105 and a supply of a flexible support layer 103 wound thereon during operation. An area of the flexible support layer 103 receives via leading edge 110, and supports a sheet of flexible material to be rolled 1101. Flexible material, which may be woven or non-woven textiles, carbon fibre or the like, becomes sandwiched between flexible support layer 103 and an underside of the flexible support layer 103 which is already wound on the first material storage spool / roller 105. At this stage material 1101, fully supported, is identified as material 103 which becomes wound around spool 105, and hence sandwiches securely between wound and winding flexible support layers 103 (becoming wound material 105). Flexible support material 103 may be rolled or folded and the machine may also include pinch rollers for the purpose of tension control or material positioning. Positioning and drive speed may be detected and controlled by leading edge 110 sensors, with path correction utilising an imaging system and a vacuum system to assist in flexible material loading and unloading. An associated method of operation is also disclosed.