Method of forming composite material articles
US4608220A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 20, 1984 |
| Grant date | Aug 26, 1986 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 20, 2004 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB29C2791/001
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Improvements in manufacturing composite material articles. The use of male molds in forming such articles has the problem of requiring large tolerances for the outer dimensions of the articles. The use of female molds has the problem of inaccurate forming of highly contoured inner surfaces. The invention produces an accurately formed inner surface by molding material against a male mold, and outer dimensions within close tolerances by curing the material in a female mold. A male caul (34) is positioned on a male mold (30). A preplied stack (32) of composite material is supported on a blanket (36) and held in position against caul (34) with caul (34) and mold (30) in an inverted position. Stack (32) is heated. A vacuum causes blanket (36) to mold stack (32) against caul (34). Mold (30) is rotated 180.degree., and stack (32) is allowed to cool. A female mold surface (43) is placed into contact with formed stack (32). Male mold (30) is moved away, leaving caul (34 ) and formed stack (32) in female mold (42). Stack (32) is cured in female mold (42), preferably by a vacuum bagging operation.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.