Abstract: A thermal system (20) for rapidly heating and cooling a mold surface (24) of a tool (26) comprises a heater-subsystem (40) in fluid communication with the tool (26). The heater-subsystem (40) comprises a heater (42), a tank (44), and a three-way valve (46). The tank (44) contains a mass of heated thermal fluid. The system (20) further comprises an exchanger-subsystem (49) in fluid communication with the heater-subsystem (40) and the tool (26). The exchanger-subsystem (49) comprises an exchanger (51) and a three-way valve (53). The system (20) further comprises a chiller-subsystem (48) in fluid communication with the exchanger-subsystem (49). The chiller-subsystem (48) comprises a chiller (50), a tank (52), and a three-way valve (54). The tank (52) contains a mass of cooled thermal fluid. A controller (56) can be used to control and/or instruct the subsystems (40,48,49). The system (20) and tool (26) can be used for forming a composite article (22), such as a carbon fiber composite (CFC) article (22).

Abstract: A thermal system (20) for rapidly heating and cooling a mold surface (24) of a tool (26) comprises a heater-subsystem (40) in fluid communication with the tool (26). The heater-subsystem (40) comprises a heater (42), a tank (44), and a three-way valve (46). The tank (44) contains a mass of heated thermal fluid. The system (20) further comprises an exchanger-subsystem (49) in fluid communication with the heater-subsystem (40) and the tool (26). The exchanger-subsystem (49) comprises an exchanger (51) and a three-way valve (53). The system (20) further comprises a chiller-subsystem (48) in fluid communication with the exchanger-subsystem (49). The chiller-subsystem (48) comprises a chiller (50), a tank (52), and a three-way valve (54). The tank (52) contains a mass of cooled thermal fluid. A controller (56) can be used to control and/or instruct the subsystems (40,48,49). The system (20) and tool (26) can be used for forming a composite article (22), such as a carbon fiber composite (CFC) article (22).

Abstract: A method of forming a composite article (22) comprises the steps of providing a tool (26) having a mold surface (24), providing a preform (62), and disposing the preform (62) on the mold surface (24). The method further comprises the steps of heating the mold surface (24) within a first period of time (Tt1), applying pressure to the preform (62) within a first period of time, and maintaining temperature of the mold surface (24) for a second period of time (Tt2). The method further comprises the steps of maintaining pressure for a second period of time, reducing pressure on the composite article (22), cooling the mold surface (24) within a third period of time (Tt3), and removing the composite article (22) from the mold surface (24). The total of Tt1+Tt2+Tt3 is generally no greater than about 30 minutes. A thermal system (20) comprising a heater-subsystem, and optionally, a chiller-subsystem, can be used to heat and cool the mold surface (24).

Abstract: A thermal system (20) for rapidly heating and cooling a mold surface (24) of a tool (26) comprises a heater-subsystem (40) in fluid communication with the tool (26). The heater-subsystem (40) comprises a heater (42), a tank (44), and a three-way valve (46). The tank (44) contains a mass of heated thermal fluid. The system (20) further comprises an exchanger-subsystem (49) in fluid communication with the heater-sub system (40) and the tool (26). The exchanger-subsystem (49) comprises an exchanger (51) and a three-way valve (53). The system (20) further comprises a chiller-sub system (48) in fluid communication with the exchanger-subsystem (49). The chiller-subsystem (48) comprises a chiller (50), a tank (52), and a three-way valve (54). The tank (52) contains a mass of cooled thermal fluid. A controller (56) can be used to control and/or instruct the subsystems (40,48,49). The system (20) and tool (26) can be used for forming a composite article (22), such as a carbon fiber composite (CFC) article (22).

Abstract: A method of forming a composite article (22) comprises the steps of providing a tool (26) having a mold surface (24), providing a preform (62), and disposing the preform (62) on the mold surface (24). The method further comprises the steps of heating the mold surface (24) within a first period of time (Tt1), applying pressure to the preform (62) within a first period of time, and maintaining temperature of the mold surface (24) for a second period of time (Tt2). The method further comprises the steps of maintaining pressure for a second period of time, reducing pressure on the composite article (22), cooling the mold surface (24) within a third period of time (Tt3), and removing the composite article (22) from the mold surface (24). The total of Tt1+Tt2+Tt3 is generally no greater than about 30 minutes. A thermal system (20) comprising a heater-subsystem, and optionally, a chiller-subsystem, can be used to heat and cool the mold surface (24).