Abstract: For producing a structural component of fiber-reinforced material by a resin transfer molding process, a preform unit is inserted in a form tool including upper and lower metal molds enclosing the perform unit therebetween, without a seal between the molds. The preform unit includes a resin-impregnatable and curable preform body of reinforcing fibers, and an envelope that encloses the preform body and includes an envelope sleeve and closures with valves at the two ends thereof. The sealed envelope is evacuated around the preform body through one valve, and resin is injected through the other valve. The envelope prevents resin discharge from the unsealed form tool during resin impregnation of the preform body.

Abstract: For producing a structural component of fiber-reinforced material by a resin transfer molding process, a preform unit is inserted in a form tool including upper and lower metal molds enclosing the preform unit therebetween, without a seal between the molds. The preform unit includes a resin-impregnatable and curable preform body of reinforcing fibers, and an envelope that encloses the preform body and includes an envelope sleeve and closures with valves at the two ends thereof. The sealed envelope is evacuated around the preform body through one valve, and resin is injected through the other valve. The envelope prevents resin discharge from the unsealed form tool during resin impregnation of the preform body.

Abstract: A mold component for forming a member consisting of a nondevelopable surface, such a member being an airfoil such as a wing or the like, is provided with an interior cavity in the shape of a developable surface which approximates the nondevelopable surface. In forming the mold cavity, points of equal tangential inclination on the non-developable surface are joined by straight lines and then the areas between the straight lines are formed as flat planar surfaces, thereby to form a developable surface which is an approximation of the nondevelopable surface. A flat planar development is then formed from this developable surface and bends are made therein at the straight lines in order to form thereby the mold cavity. A substantial number of said bends extend non-parallel to each other and none of the bends intersect.

Abstract: A structural component having a twisted profile or cross-section, such as a arge scale wing for a windmill or for a helicopter, has an upper portion and a lower portion intimately bonded to each other along an interface formed by two separation surfaces. A longitudinal axis extends in said interface. The interface is defined by simultaneously twisting or rotating and longitudinally moving a polygonal line (PZ) relative to the longitudinal axis while a central portion of the polygonal line extends perpendicularly to the central axis. The machine tool for machining the separation surfaces has a tool carrier (14), and a carrier support (20) for holding the tool carrier (14) in such a manner that the tool carrier is tiltable about the longitudinal axis of the interface. Simultaneously the carrier support is movable in the direction of the longitudinal axis (A).

Abstract: A mold half is provided particularly for laminated parts which are to be ded from fiber components, with the mold half being formed with an inside surface matching the negative contour of the part to be molded therein. The mold half is formed of a shaped plate material which has been plastically deformed along deformation lines at angles determined by the shape of the part to be molded. The mold half is affixed upon a support member which fits the shape of the deformed material.