Composite component manufacture and process equipment giving shorter cycle times

摘要

A fiber mat (9) is placed on a rigid negative mold (2) and covered by a flexible membrane (6) which is sealed against the mold all round the mat. After evacuating the sealed cavity between mold and membrane positive pressure is created on the rear side of the membrane. Liquid resin is injected into the sealed cavity at a pressure greater than the positive pressure at the back of the membrane and the resin cured by the heated mold before pressure release. An Independent claim is made for the process equipment including a rigid negative mold (2), flexible membrane (6), a vacuum pump and suction line connected to the sealed cavity between membrane and mold, a pressure source connected to a chamber at the back of the membrane, a resin injection line, tool heating, pressure outlet for the pressure chamber (12) and a control system for process operation.