Membrane manipulating and compacting device for the automated manufacture of composite preforms, and method for obtaining such preforms

摘要

Membrane manipulating and compacting device for obtaining preforms useful in the automated manufacture of composites, comprising
a support structure (1) with a central opening (1.3,1.4), coupleable to a moveable translation element;
an elastic membrane (4) covering the central opening (1.3,1.4), and it comprises a smooth upper layer (5) impermeable to air and a lower layer (6) permeable to air provided on its upper face with projections (7) allowing a distribution of a vacuum applied by means of a vacuum connector (9) which opens between said layers (5,6) for suctioning air through the lower layer (6) and between the projections (7), for retaining a fiber fabric sheet (13) in the lower layer (6) by the action of the vacuum;
these layers (5,6) being hermetically joined at their peripheries and made of an elastically flexible material such that when they are overlain on a preforming mold (3), an air-tight area is produced in the molding area and a vacuum and/or pressure is applied, and they deform adopting the geometry of the mold (3).