Abstract: A method of forming a fibre article, comprising: providing a former having a contoured forming surface; locating a fibre preform between a first diaphragm and a second diaphragm, the second diaphragm being offset from the forming surface; drawing a vacuum between the first and second diaphragms so as to hold the preform captive between the diaphragms; displacing the diaphragms relative to the former so as to bring a part of the second diaphragm adjoining the preform into partial conformity with the former; drawing a vacuum between the second diaphragm and the former so as to increase the conformity between the said part of the second diaphragm and the former; and setting the preform in its configuration.

Abstract: A tape deposition head for applying lengths of tape to a deposition surface, the tape deposition head comprising: a tape cutter having a tape inlet and a tape outlet, the tape cutter comprising: a feed roller configured to drive the tape though the tape cutter from the tape inlet to the tape outlet along a tape path; a nip roller acting against the feed roller to press the tape against the feed roller; and a tape slicer, the tape slicer having a blade for cutting the tape into lengths, the tape slicer being positioned between the feed roller and the tape outlet along the tape path; and a tape conveyor positioned at the tape outlet, the tape conveyor comprising: a deposition roller remote from the tape outlet; a capture roller; a vacuum chamber; and a belt that runs between the capture roller and the deposition roller, the capture roller being positioned proximal to the tape outlet so that tape exiting the tape outlet contacts the belt, the belt being configured to move a cut length of tape to the deposition r

Abstract: A tape deposition head for applying lengths of tape to a deposition surface, the tape deposition head comprising: a tape cutter having a tape inlet and a tape outlet, the tape cutter comprising: a feed roller configured to drive the tape though the tape cutter from the tape inlet to the tape outlet along a tape path; a nip roller acting against the feed roller to press the tape against the feed roller; and a tape slicer, the tape slicer having a blade for cutting the tape into lengths, the tape slicer being positioned between the feed roller and the tape outlet along the tape path; and a tape conveyor positioned at the tape outlet, the tape conveyor comprising: a deposition roller remote from the tape outlet; a capture roller; a vacuum chamber; and a belt that runs between the capture roller and the deposition roller, the capture roller being positioned proximal to the tape outlet so that tape exiting the tape outlet contacts the belt, the belt being configured to move a cut length of tape to the deposition r

Abstract: A method for forming a composite component, the method comprising: providing a first mould tool and a second mould tool, the first and second mould tools being configured so as to be capable of defining at least part of a mould cavity between them, and the second mould tool having a moulding surface defined by at least two demountable mould bodies; attaching the first mould tool to a press at a first workstation; subsequently, at a second workstation spaced from the first workstation, loading at least part of the second mould tool with reinforcement material whilst the first mould tool remains attached to the press at the first workstation; moving the second mould tool to the press at the first workstation in such a position as to confront the first mould tool; causing the press to effect relative movement of the first and second tools to bring the first and second tools into mating arrangement so as to define a mould cavity therebetween; and setting in shape the reinforcement material located in the mould ca

Abstract: A method for forming a composite component, the method comprising: providing a mould (15) comprising a first part (8) of the mould and a second part (13) of the mould, the first part (8) and second part (13) when assembled define an exterior surface of the composite component; loading the first part (8) of the mould with reinforcing material (20); injecting matrix precursor into the first part (8) of the mould to impregnate reinforcing material (20) located in the first part (8) of the mould with matrix precursor; closing the second part (13) of the mould and the first part (8) of the mould around the reinforcing material (20) and matrix precursor to assemble the first part (8) and second part (13) to define an exterior surface of the composite component; and injecting matrix precursor into the closed mould to impregnate reinforcing material (20) located between the first and second parts (8, 13) of the mould with matrix precursor.

Abstract: A method of forming a fibre article, comprising: providing a former having a contoured forming surface; locating a fibre preform between a first diaphragm and a second diaphragm, the second diaphragm being offset from the forming surface; drawing a vacuum between the first and second diaphragms so as to hold the preform captive between the diaphragms; displacing the diaphragms relative to the former so as to bring a part of the second diaphragm adjoining the preform into partial conformity with the former; drawing a vacuum between the second diaphragm and the former so as to increase the conformity between the said part of the second diaphragm and the former; and setting the preform in its configuration

Abstract: A tape deposition system, the system comprising: a platform moveable around a closed path in a first direction, the platform having a deposition surface; and a tape deposition head configured to apply lengths of tape along a deposition direction to the deposition surface, the platform being moveable past the deposition head around the closed path along the deposition direction to apply lengths of tape to the deposition surface; and wherein the system is configured to move the platform around the path multiple times to permit multiple lengths of tape to be applied to the deposition surface.

Abstract: A tape deposition head for applying lengths of tape to a deposition surface, the tape deposition head comprising: a tape cutter having a tape inlet and a tape outlet, the tape cutter comprising: a feed roller configured to drive the tape though the tape cutter from the tape inlet to the tape outlet along a tape path; a nip roller acting against the feed roller to press the tape against the feed roller; and a tape slicer, the tape slicer having a blade for cutting the tape into lengths, the tape slicer being positioned between the feed roller and the tape outlet along the tape path; and a tape conveyor positioned at the tape outlet, the tape conveyor comprising: a deposition roller remote from the tape outlet; a capture roller; a vacuum chamber; and a belt that runs between the capture roller and the deposition roller, the capture roller being positioned proximal to the tape outlet so that tape exiting the tape outlet contacts the belt, the belt being configured to move a cut length of tape to the deposition r

Abstract: A method of forming a fibre article, comprising: providing a former having a contoured forming surface; locating a fibre preform between a first diaphragm and a second diaphragm, the second diaphragm being offset from the forming surface; drawing a vacuum between the first and second diaphragms so as to hold the preform captive between the diaphragms; displacing the diaphragms relative to the former so as to bring a part of the second diaphragm adjoining the preform into partial conformity with the former; drawing a vacuum between the second diaphragm and the former so as to increase the conformity between the said part of the second diaphragm and the former; and setting the preform in its configuration.

Abstract: A method of forming a fibre article, comprising: providing a former having a contoured forming surface; locating a fibre preform between a first diaphragm and a second diaphragm, the second diaphragm being offset from the forming surface; drawing a vacuum between the first and second diaphragms so as to hold the preform captive between the diaphragms; displacing the second diaphragm towards the former so as to bring the second diaphragm into partial contact with the former; drawing a vacuum between the second diaphragm and the former so as to bring at least a part of the second diaphragm adjoining the preform into conformity with the forming surface; and setting the preform in its configuration; wherein: the fibre preform comprises one or more substantially inextensible fibres extending linearly in a first direction; the forming surface comprises a concavity and prominences on either side of the concavity; and the step of bringing the second diaphragm into partial contact with the former comprises bringing th

Abstract: A composite article manufacturing facility comprising: a plurality of forming stations (1), each forming station being capable of forming pieces from a feedstock of a laminar reinforcement material; a plurality of lay-up stations (3), each lay-up station being capable of arranging a stack of the formed pieces in overlapping fashion; a transfer mechanism (2) configured to simultaneously transport formed portions from multiple ones of the forming stations towards multiple ones of the lay-up stations; a memory (93) storing a first sequence of pieces to be laid up at a first one of the lay-up stations and a second sequence of pieces to be laid up at a second one of the lay-up stations; and a controller (90) coupled to the forming stations, the lay-up stations and the transfer mechanism for controlling the operations thereof, the controller having access to the memory and being configured to, when a formed piece of the first sequence and a formed piece of the second sequence are loaded on the transfer mechanism, c

Abstract: A method for removing a hollow support element (17) from within a moulded part (15) to form a cavity (25) within the moulded part, the hollow support element being disposed within the moulded part and composed of material having a softening temperature, the method comprising: heating a liquid (20) to a temperature at least equal to the softening temperature of the material; injecting the heated liquid into an opening (24) in the moulded part to deform the material; and removing deformed material and liquid from the cavity.

Abstract: A method for forming a composite component, comprising: locating a rigid composite element comprising a matrix interspersed with long fibre reinforcement in a mould that is shaped to define a cavity about the rigid element; loading a material comprising a matrix precursor interspersed with short fibre reinforcement into the cavity; and curing the matrix precursor.

Abstract: A method of forming a fibre article, comprising: providing a former having a contoured forming surface; locating a fibre preform between a first diaphragm and a second diaphragm, the second diaphragm being offset from the forming surface; drawing a vacuum between the first and second diaphragms so as to hold the preform captive between the diaphragms; displacing the second diaphragm towards the former so as to bring the second diaphragm into partial contact with the former; drawing a vacuum between the second diaphragm and the former so as to bring at least a part of the second diaphragm adjoining the preform into conformity with the forming surface; and setting the preform in its configuration; wherein: the fibre preform comprises one or more substantially inextensible fibres extending linearly in a first direction; the forming surface comprises a concavity and prominences on either side of the concavity; and the step of bringing the second diaphragm into partial contact with the former comprises bringing th

Abstract: A method of forming a fibre article, comprising: providing a former having a contoured forming surface; locating a fibre preform between a first diaphragm and a second diaphragm, the second diaphragm being offset from the forming surface; drawing a vacuum between the first and second diaphragms so as to hold the preform captive between the diaphragms; displacing the diaphragms relative to the former so as to bring a part of the second diaphragm adjoining the preform into partial conformity with the former; drawing a vacuum between the second diaphragm and the former so as to increase the conformity between the said part of the second diaphragm and the former; and setting the preform in its configuration

Abstract: A composite article manufacturing facility comprising: a plurality of forming stations (1), each forming station being capable of forming pieces from a feedstock of a laminar reinforcement material; a plurality of lay-up stations (3), each lay-up station being capable of arranging a stack of the formed pieces in overlapping fashion; a transfer mechanism (2) configured to simultaneously transport formed portions from multiple ones of the forming stations towards multiple ones of the lay-up stations; a memory (93) storing a first sequence of pieces to be laid up at a first one of the lay-up stations and a second sequence of pieces to be laid up at a second one of the lay-up stations; and a controller (90) coupled to the forming stations, the lay-up stations and the transfer mechanism for controlling the operations thereof, the controller having access to the memory and being configured to, when a formed piece of the first sequence and a formed piece of the second sequence are loaded on the transfer mechanism, c

Abstract: A method for forming a composite component, the method comprising: providing a first mould tool and a second mould tool, the first and second mould tools being configured so as to be capable of defining at least part of a mould cavity between them, and the second mould tool having a moulding surface defined by at least two demountable mould bodies; attaching the first mould tool to a press at a first workstation; subsequently, at a second workstation spaced from the first workstation, loading at least part of the second mould tool with reinforcement material whilst the first mould tool remains attached to the press at the first workstation; moving the second mould tool to the press at the first workstation in such a position as to confront the first mould tool; causing the press to effect relative movement of the first and second tools to bring the first and second tools into mating arrangement so as to define a mould cavity therebetween; and setting in shape the reinforcement material located in the mould ca

Abstract: A mould tool comprising a plurality of tool parts which can be assembled to define an exterior surface of a moulded part, at least one of the tool parts comprising: a tool part body for defining part of the exterior surface of the moulded part; a conduit being configured to transfer thermal energy between fluid contained in the conduit and the tool part body; a heating element configured to heat fluid contained within the conduit; and an electrical input configured to supply electricity to the heating element to heat the fluid so as to heat the tool part body.

Abstract: A method for forming a composite component, the method comprising: providing a mould (15) comprising a first part (8) of the mould and a second part (13) of the mould, the first part (8) and second part (13) when assembled define an exterior surface of the composite component; loading the first part (8) of the mould with reinforcing material (20); injecting matrix precursor into the first part (8) of the mould to impregnate reinforcing material (20) located in the first part (8) of the mould with matrix precursor; closing the second part (13) of the mould and the first part (8) of the mould around the reinforcing material (20) and matrix precursor to assemble the first part (8) and second part (13) to define an exterior surface of the composite component; and injecting matrix precursor into the closed mould to impregnate reinforcing material (20) located between the first and second parts (8,13) of the mould with matrix precursor.

Abstract: A method for removing a hollow support element (17) from within a moulded part (15) to form a cavity (25) within the moulded part, the hollow support element being disposed within the moulded part and composed of material having a softening temperature, the method comprising: heating a liquid (20) to a temperature at least equal to the softening temperature of the material; injecting the heated liquid into an opening (24) in the moulded part to deform the material; and removing deformed material and liquid from the cavity.