Method of vacuum forming a composite

Details Method of vacuum forming a composite Method of vacuum forming a composite

1994-08-31

1998-06-30

Yoder, Michele K.

Plastic and nonmetallic article shaping or treating: processes

Direct application of fluid pressure differential to...

Producing multilayer work or article

156285, 156222, 156382, 1565833, 264313, 264316, 425388, 425389, B29C 4310, B32B 3120

Patent

active

057729506

ABSTRACT:
A composite hot drape vacuum forming method and apparatus. The apparatus includes an elongate vacuum chamber (12) having a lid (14) and a housing (16). An inflatable seal (26) is disposed between the lid (14) and the housing (16). Inflation of the inflatable seal (26) creates on airtight vacuum chamber. A heating blanket (36) is located in the bottom of the vacuum chamber (12). An inflatable bladder (28) is located on top of the heating blanket and extends approximately over the length of the vacuum chamber. The interior of the inflatable bladder is in fluid connection with the exterior of the vacuum chamber. Composite charges (40) are placed within the vacuum chamber on top of the vacuum bladder (28). Lay-up mandrels (42) are placed on top of the unformed composite charges and the vacuum chamber is closed and sealed. The composite charges (40) are heated using the heating blanket (36). The interior of the vacuum chamber is then evacuated. As the interior is evacuated, the inflatable bladder expands forming the composite charges (40) around the lay-up mandrels (42). After forming, the pressure in the interior of the vacuum chamber (12) is equalized and the lid (14) is opened. The formed composite charges and mandrels are then removed.

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