A method of making a fiber preform for ceramic matrix composite (CMC) fabrication comprises laminating an arrangement of fibers between polymer sheets comprising an organic polymer, which may function as a fugitive binder during fabrication, to form a flexible prepreg sheet. A plurality of the flexible prepreg sheets are laid up in a predetermined geometry to form a stack, and the stack is heated to soften the organic polymer and bond together the flexible prepreg sheets into a bonded prepreg structure. Upon cooling of the bonded prepreg structure, a rigid preform is formed. The rigid preform is heated at a sufficient temperature to pyrolyze the organic polymer. Thus, a porous preform that may undergo further processing into a CMC is formed.

A production method for a separated fiber bundle includes at least: [A] a partial separation step for obtaining a partially separated fiber bundle in which separation-processed parts, each separated into a plurality of bundles, and not-separation-processed parts are alternately formed along the lengthwise direction of a fiber bundle comprising a plurality of single fibers; and [B] a cutting step for cutting the not-separation-processed parts of the partially separated fiber bundle formed in the step [A] along the lengthwise direction of the fiber bundle. A separated fiber bundle produced by the method, a fiber-reinforced resin molding material that uses the separated fiber bundle, and a production method for the fiber-reinforced resin molding material.

A method of producing a preform, having a step for preparing a sheet-shaped prepreg and a preform mold having a forming surface and a separable portion constituting at least a portion of the forming surface, forming the prepreg using the preform mold, and then removing the preform together with the separable portion from the preform mold.

A method of producing a preform, having a step for preparing a sheet-shaped prepreg and a preform mold having a forming surface and a separable portion constituting at least a portion of the forming surface, forming the prepreg using the preform mold, and then removing the preform together with the separable portion from the preform mold.

Some embodiments are directed to a system for detecting foreign matter in a parison discharged successively from a discharge device, the system comprising: infrared cameras that detect infrared beams emitted from the parison; and a determination unit that determines whether foreign matter is present in the parison on the basis of the infrared beams detected by the infrared cameras. A determination area is set in the parison in a discharge direction of the parison, a storage unit is provided that stores an infrared threshold set for the determination area, and the determination unit compares the detected values from the infrared cameras with the threshold.

Some embodiments are directed to a system for detecting foreign matter in a parison discharged successively from a discharge device, the system comprising: infrared cameras that detect infrared beams emitted from the parison; and a determination unit that determines whether foreign matter is present in the parison on the basis of the infrared beams detected by the infrared cameras. A determination area is set in the parison in a discharge direction of the parison, a storage unit is provided that stores an infrared threshold set for the determination area, and the determination unit compares the detected values from the infrared cameras with the threshold.

A method of additively manufacturing a composite part comprises depositing a segment of a continuous flexible line along a print path. The continuous flexible line comprises a non-resin component and further comprises a photopolymer-resin component that is uncured. The method further comprises delivering a predetermined or actively determined amount of curing energy at least to a portion of the segment of the continuous flexible line at a controlled rate while advancing the continuous flexible line toward the print path and after the segment of the continuous flexible line is deposited along the print path to at least partially cure at least the portion of the segment of the continuous flexible line.

A method of additively manufacturing a composite part comprises depositing a segment of a continuous flexible line along a print path. The continuous flexible line comprises a non-resin component and further comprises a photopolymer-resin component that is uncured. The method further comprises delivering a predetermined or actively determined amount of curing energy at least to a portion of the segment of the continuous flexible line at a controlled rate while advancing the continuous flexible line toward the print path and after the segment of the continuous flexible line is deposited along the print path to at least partially cure at least the portion of the segment of the continuous flexible line.

A system fabricating composite preforms includes a layer assembly stage with a first stage for receiving new layers, such as layer N; and a second stage for holding up to K layers, such as layers N1 to NK. An interlayer reinforcement insertion mechanism inserts interlayer reinforcements Q through layer N and the layers N1 to NK, using a first layer spacing between layer NK and layer N-K1 in a completed layer stage. Following the interlayer reinforcements Q insertion, the layer assembly stage transfers the layer NK to the completed layer stage; closes the first layer spacing, bringing layers NK and NK1 into contact; and transfers the layer N to the second stage. The system repeats this cycle of receiving new layers, inserting interlayer reinforcements using layer spacings between the second and completed layer stages, closing these layer spacings, and transferring layers to construct composite preforms with arbitrary numbers of layers.

A method of additively manufacturing a composite part comprises applying a liquid photopolymer resin to a non-resin component to create a continuous flexible line by pulling the non-resin component through a vessel, containing a volume of the liquid photopolymer resin. The continuous flexible line comprises the non-resin component and a photopolymer-resin component that comprises at least some of the liquid photopolymer resin applied to the non-resin component. The method further comprises routing the continuous flexible line into a delivery guide, pushing the continuous flexible line out of the delivery guide, depositing, via the delivery guide, a segment of the continuous flexible line along a print path, and delivering curing energy at least to a portion of the segment of the continuous flexible line.