Abstract: A manufacturing apparatus of a preform to be used for an RTM forming, wherein a layered body consisting of a plurality of layered reinforcing-fiber base materials to which a fixing agent consisting primarily of a thermoplastic resin is attached is formed by heating into a predetermined shape, comprising a forming mold consisting of a first mold and a second mold facing each other, wherein, only the first mold is provided with a heating mechanism and a contact face of the second mold contacting the reinforcing-fiber base material is made of a material which is less thermally conductive than the first mold.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a preform includes forming a sheet-shaped structure made of a reinforcing-fiber base material with reinforcing fibers arranged in a predetermined direction into a shape along a lower mold having a three-dimensional shape with a recessed section by using the lower mold and a plurality of upper molds each having a pressing mechanism, wherein the sheet-shaped structure is placed on the lower mold while at least one spot in the sheet-shaped structure is temporarily pressed with at least one of the upper molds, and at least one spot other than the temporarily pressed spot in the sheet-shaped structure is pressed with another upper mold and, then, a spot which is neither the temporarily pressed spot nor the pressed spot is pressed with yet another upper mold, and the spot which has been temporarily pressed with the upper mold is pressed by a predetermined pressing force.

Abstract: A curved reinforcing fiber substrate having a curved planar shape comprising a plurality of reinforcing fiber yarns arranged parallel to a direction along a circumferential direction of the curved shape, and auxiliary weft yarns arranged in directions crossing the plurality of reinforcing fiber yarns each arranged in one direction of the circumferential direction.