US Patent 10926492 Bi-directional lamination head and method

A lamination head having bi-directional layup capability has a material supply drum configured to support a material roll of backed material which is comprised of layup material backed by a backing layer. A backing layer separation assembly receives the backed material from the material supply drum and has a backing layer directional control device and first and second backing layer separation mechanisms. The backing layer directional control device in the first mode separation position is aligned with the first backing layer separation mechanism for separating the backing layer from the layup material as the lamination head moves along a first direction of travel. The backing layer directional control device in the second mode separation position is aligned with the second backing layer separation mechanism for separating the backing layer from the layup material as the lamination head moves along a second direction of travel.