METHOD FOR FORMING SHAPED PREFORM

摘要

A method for shaping dry preform material prior to resin infusion is disclosed. The starting material to be shaped is a preform blank (e.g. flat sheet) of dry, fibrous material. The shaping process is a vacuum forming process that relies on controlling the vacuum pressure and deformation speed to produce a shaped preform with three-dimensional configuration. The purpose of the shaping process described herein is to enable an automated process to replace the conventional hand lay-up operation.