US 12,330,288 B2
Separation of film layer from composite prepreg
Luis Velasquez, Ladson, SC (US)
Assigned to The Boeing Company, Chicago, IL (US)
Filed by The Boeing Company, Chicago, IL (US)
Filed on Oct. 27, 2022, as Appl. No. 18/050,335.
Prior Publication US 2024/0139963 A1, May 2, 2024
Int. Cl. B25J 11/00 (2006.01); B25J 9/16 (2006.01); B25J 13/08 (2006.01); B25J 15/00 (2006.01); B29C 63/00 (2006.01); B29K 105/08 (2006.01); B29L 31/30 (2006.01)
CPC B25J 11/005 (2013.01) [B25J 9/1682 (2013.01); B25J 9/1684 (2013.01); B25J 13/08 (2013.01); B25J 15/0019 (2013.01); B29C 63/0013 (2013.01); B29K 2105/0872 (2013.01); B29L 2031/3076 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of separating a film layer adhered to a ply of composite prepreg, comprising:
clamping the ply between a first clamping member and a second clamping member to expose only an edge of the ply such that the edge of the ply is suspended in air; and
flicking the edge of the ply using an automated system to impart an impact energy to the edge of the ply until the film layer separates from the ply at the edge, wherein the clamping isolates the edge from other areas of ply and causes the impact energy of the flicking imparted to the edge to be focused on the edge without propagating inwardly to the other areas of the ply.