Method and apparatus for manufacturing articles from thermoplastic material

摘要

Articles are manufactured from thermoplastic material (17) by applying the material in the form of fibres to a mould surface (10A). Flexible sheet material (18) is then applied to the thermoplastic material and air is withdrawn from between the mould surface and the flexible sheet. The mould is then heated by passing fluid adjacent the mould so that the thermoplastic melts and conforms to the shape of the mould. The mould is then cooled by applying cooling fluid to the mould so that the thermoplastic material sets and conforms to the shape of the mould. When solidified the sheet and the moulded article are removed from the mould.