Tech Briefs Magazine - February 2024 - 25

research through NSF's Physics Frontiers
Centers and Quantum Leap Challenge Institutes
programs. " The team has not only
accelerated the development of quantum
information processing by using neutral
atoms, but opened a new door to explorations
of large-scale logical qubit devices,
which could enable transformative benefits
for science and society as a whole. "
To date, the best computing systems have
demonstrated one or two logical qubits,
and one quantum gate operation - akin to
just one unit of code - between them.
With their logical quantum processor, the
Automated Tow/Tape Placement System
High-precision, tool-less composite manufacturing.
Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA
I
n recent years, industry adoption of
thermoplastic composites (TPCs) in lieu
of thermosets and metallic structures has
increased for the fabrication of air and
launch vehicle components. Manufacturing
of TPCs, performed via automated
tape laying (ATL) and automated fiber
placement (AFP), uses machines that
place prepreg tow or tapes on molds in
a unidirectional manner, which then undergo
cure cycles, autoclaving, and other
steps that require special tooling. The
process is time, material, and energy intensive,
requires large facilities to house
equipment, and limits the size, mechanical
properties and shapes of the parts
manufactured. To address these limitations,
NASA's Langley Research Center
has developed a simplified, tool-less automated
tow/tape placement (ATP) system.
This NASA invention enables several
benefits that mitigate limitations associated
with conventional ATP systems, including
the following: (1) avoids obtuse head rotation
or cross-tool translation when laying
adjunct tape plies, (2) simultaneously
places tape on both sides of a part via two
robots, (3) eliminates external anchoring
frame requirements, and (4) translates
parts during build while also translating
the applicator head. The ability to perform
simultaneous layup on opposite sides
of the component, as well as reduction of
head rotation reversal during bidirectional
tape layup, offers increased layup speed.
The invention offers increased placement
accuracy as a result of reduced movement
between tape layup operations and
the eliminated need for an anchoring
frame (facilitated by simultaneous pressure
extrusion of prepreg by the two robots).
NASA's automated tow/tape placement system
has two key unique features: the use of
two opposed ATP cars to enable a tool-less
process, and an on-the-fly reversal tape/
tow laydown tooling head. The system uses
two opposing (i.e., underside-to-underside)
Tech Briefs, February 2024
researchers now demonstrate parallel, multiplexed
control of an entire patch of logical
qubits, using lasers. This result is more
efficient and scalable than having to control
individual physical qubits.
For more information, contact Media
Relations at 617-495-1585.
A conventional, multi-axis AFP system operating at NASA's Langley Research Center. (Image: NASA)
ATP cars, and can build parts vertically, horizontally,
or at any other angle, depending
on the workspace available.
The ATP die wheels can be reversed
or turned to draw the composite back
and forth at different angles to create a
layer-by-layer composite structure. Both
cars can dispense TPC tape thus, either
car can function as an opposing tool surface
while the other performs prepreg
lay-up. For structures that do not vary in
thickness, both cars can lay tape at the
same time doubling layup speed.
Current ATP robots must rotate the
large tooling head, or traverse panels
without layering tape to achieve bidirectional
layup, where each additional
movement introduces alignment error.
To increase layup rate while simultaneously
minimizing misalignment, NASA's
system incorporates an on-the-fly reverwww.techbriefs.com
sal
tape/tow laydown tooling head to enable
efficient bidirectional layup.
Two key application areas include
composite manufacturing where NASA's
automated tow/tape placement system
can be used to fabricate aerospace
quality composite structures spanning
broad sizes and geometries as well as inspace
composite manufacturing as the
system is ideal for composite fabrication
in remote locations, including in-space
use because it does not require tools for
operation.
NASA is actively seeking licensees to
commercialize this technology. Please
contact NASA's Licensing Concierge at
Agency-Patent-Licensing@mail.nasa.gov
or call at 202-358-7432 to initiate licensing
discussions. For more information,
visit https://technology.nasa.gov/patent/
LAR-TOPS-342.
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Tech Briefs Magazine - February 2024

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