Abstract: A method of manufacture of a carbon fiber article comprises providing a preform mold having a region that is shaped to compliment a shape of a preform part that is to be produced the surface being provided with at least one bore or groove that is connected to at least one conduit that passes through the mold to a manifold, laying a sheet of release material onto the surface covering at least some of the plurality of holes, applying reduced pressure to the manifold to cause the sheet to be sucked down onto the mold surface, laying carbon fiber material into the mold on top of the sheet of release material, applying an increase pressure to the manifold to push the preform free from the mold surface, and removing the preform from the mold.

Abstract: A carbon fibre part comprises an outer skin formed from at least two layers of carbon fibre material, and an insert located inside the outer skin, the insert comprising a block having opposing ends and at least one side wall, one of the ends being aligned with a hole that is provided in the outer skin prior to assembly of the outer skin around the insert during manufacture of the carbon fibre part. The insert may be tapered to aid alignment and may have a chamfered end adjacent the hole which helps produce a neat finish to the material around the edge of the hole in the carbon fibre part.