Abstract: Methods and systems for manufacturing fiber-reinforced resin parts are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method for manufacturing a fiber-reinforced resin part includes positioning a plurality of fibers on a mold surface of a female tool, and covering the fibers with a sealing layer. The method further includes pressing a portion of the covered fibers against an interior transition region (e.g., an internal radius) of the mold surface. While the portion of covered fibers is pressed against the interior transition region, air is removed from between the sealing layer and the mold surface to draw at least a partial vacuum between the sealing layer and the mold surface.

Abstract: Various embodiments are disclosed relating to fabrication of an optical wedge. For example, one embodiment provides a method for manufacturing an optical wedge comprising inserting a wedge blank into a vacuum molding tool and applying a vacuum to the vacuum molding tool to temporarily hold the wedge blank against a molding surface of the vacuum molding tool. The method further comprises removing a layer from a top surface of the wedge blank to expose a machined surface of the wedge blank, and casting a finish layer on the machined surface to form a finish layer of a finished optical wedge.

Abstract: Manufacturing of a composite component, such as a composite component of an aircraft, is provided with a molding tool that includes, but is not limited to a first mold, a second mold and a pressure generator. Between the first mold and the second mold, a membrane is arranged so that between the first mold and the membrane a first region is formed, and between the second mold and the membrane a second region is formed. In the first region, a fibrous mat is arranged. In the second region with the use of the pressure generator 116 counter-pressure can be produced so that the membrane is pressed in the direction of the fibrous mat.

Abstract: A tool for the infusion of a resin into a preform made of fiber material includes a mould which can be closed around the preform and in the body of which at least one inlet duct is formed to allow resin to be injected into the mould so that the resin can be infused into the preform. At least one reservoir which can contain the resin, is also formed in the body of the mould and is connected to the at least one inlet duct. The mould can be inserted in an autoclave and the reservoir is configured to permit the transfer of the resin from the reservoir to the inlet duct under the effect of the temperature and of the pressure that are produced in the autoclave, thus allowing the resin to be injected into the mould.

Abstract: A fluid reticulation system for a composite component production assembly, the production assembly including at least one pressure chamber (25) having a chamber wall (21) locatable adjacent a composite lay-up or mold, at least a portion of the chamber wall (21) being resiliently deformable, the fluid reticulation system being locatable within the inner volume of the pressure chamber (25) and including means (5) for distributing fluid towards an inner surface (22) of the chamber wall as the fluid enters the pressure chamber.

Abstract: Rotary forming drums that have a unique vacuum distribution and control system imparting a vacuum to the insert trays in a region or zone of the drum in a controlled manner. The rotary drum also has insert trays that are forced outward by the movement of follower cam activation upon a roller cam which in turn forces molded articles from the trays quickly, cleanly and efficiently. Once the product is removed from the insert trays internal and external springs return the insert trays to their original position to repeat the process on a continuous basis.

Abstract: The present invention is a thermoforming device that includes a separate forming mold that can be positioned within a pair of primary mold sections to define a separate mold cavity therein. The separate mold cavity can be used to form details on various sections of a formed part that are not present on the remainder of the formed part due to the separation of the sections of the formed part from the remainder of the part due to the sealed engagement of the separate forming mold with the primary mold sections.

Abstract: A device for controlling the condensate or frost formation in chocolate shell production has a mould (2), provided with a plurality of recesses (3) for liquefied of softened chocolate (4) and a die (5) cooled by cooling means (7) and including a plurality of protrusions (6), each fit to be inserted into a respective below recess (3) to mould a chocolate shell, in cooperation therewith, in a maximum approach condition (A) between the die (5) and the mould (2). The device (1) further includes: at least one supply means (8) whose outlet (9) flows directly into the environment and it is orientated in the direction of protrusions (6); dehumidification means (10) to feed the at least one supply means (8) with dehumidified air (50). The supply means (8) is fit to blow dehumidified air (50) nearly at ambient pressure, at least in mutual detachment conditions (D) of mould (2) and die (5), toward the protrusions (6) so preventing the formation thereon of water condensate or frost.

Abstract: A molding apparatus comprises an upper molding box, a lower mold box, an upper flexible membrane covering an opening of the upper mold box, a lower flexible membrane covering an opening of the lower mold box, a heating system located in the upper mold box, a set of ports located between the upper flexible membrane and the lower flexible membrane capable of being used to draw a vacuum between the upper flexible membrane and the lower flexible membrane, and a displacement system located in the lower mold box under the lower flexible membrane.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the invention provide an extrusion molding method and system that may be utilized to produce one or more objects having a desired shape, such as a shape suitable for a synthetic wine cork, for example. In one exemplary embodiment, a method includes: extruding a material including a blowing agent through a die; cutting the extruded material to obtain at least one piece; placing the at least one piece in a mold; and allowing the at least one piece to expand and cool within the mold in order to form a produced object, where the produced object has a predefined shape based on the mold.

Abstract: A thermo-forming machine is described for forming three-dimensional work pieces, having extensive relatively thin surfaces of uniform thickness, from flat sheets of a thermoplastic material. The machine includes one or two molds (31, 131) movable vertically between a passive lowered position and a raised forming position, a lower, pressurizable sealed chamber (14) closed at the top by a horizontal reduction plate (12) having a first and a second aperture (12a, 12b), spaced horizontally and of a size enabling a mold (31, 131) to pass through them. First and second counter-frames (29, 30) each hold a sheet to be formed around the apertures (12a, 12b) of the reduction plate (12). Three heating panels (16, 17, 22) are provided, aligned vertically, spaced from each other and movable horizontally between a first position aligned vertically with the first aperture (12a) and a second position aligned vertically with the second aperture (12b).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for bending thermoplastic tube in which a pre-heated region of the tube is conformed to a required bend configuration while supported internally and externally to prevent the tube wall collapsing. The external support is provided by relatively movable formers which enclose a section of the tube at the point where the bending force is applied and this enclosed section moves progressively along the heated region as the bend is developed by the relative movement of the formers. The internal support is provided by fluid pressure higher than atmospheric pressure within the tube during the forming operation. Multiple bends can be formed sequentially and/or siitultateously.