MOULD ARRANGEMENT AND METHOD FOR COMPRESSION MOULDING FIBER REINFORCED PREFORMS

摘要

A modified compression moulding arrangement 10 where the compression moulding tool 11 has been modified to allow for the use of pre-impregnated pre-form sheets in order to produce class A automotive structural parts in high volume. The pre-impregnated preform has continuous un-chopped fibers that extend across an entire length of the pre-impregnated pre-form. The pre-impregnated preform is then placed in an open compression moulding tool that has a bottom half 16 and a top half 12 that are movable between an open position and a closed position. When the mould tool is in the closed position, the top half and bottom half create a forming cavity 20 that is defined by a forming surface 14 of the top half and a forming surface 18 of the bottom half. The forming surface of the bottom half has a boundary defined by a run-off edge 24 and an upshear 26,28 that is necessary for forming a class A structural automotive component using pre-impregnated pre-form material.