An example system is configured to photocure a photocurable material to form a polymer film. The system includes a first chuck configured to support a first substantially planar mold, a second chuck configured to support a second substantially planar mold, and an actuable stage coupled to the first chuck and/or the second chuck. The actuable stage is configured to position the first chuck and/or the second chuck so that the first and second molds are separated by a gap. The system also includes a sensor arrangement for obtaining measurement information indicative of a distance between the first and second molds and/or a pressure between the first and second chucks at each of at least three locations. The system also includes a control module configured control the gap between the first and second molds based on the measurement information.

An apparatus for molding a composite material comprising a plurality of mold pieces that cooperate to form a mold having a mold cavity for molding a composite part, the plurality of mold pieces split along a plurality of part lines configured to reduce voiding, the plurality of part lines comprising part lines running from a plurality of voiding areas of the mold cavity to an outer surface of the mold and adapted to provide bleed lines for the plurality of voiding areas.

An apparatus for molding a composite material comprising a plurality of mold pieces that cooperate to form a mold having a mold cavity for molding a composite part, the plurality of mold pieces split along a plurality of part lines configured to reduce voiding, the plurality of part lines comprising part lines running from a plurality of voiding areas of the mold cavity to an outer surface of the mold and adapted to provide bleed lines for the plurality of voiding areas.

A composite fabrication system for fabricating a cured composite structure from a first composite layup comprising a matrix of resin and fiber reinforcement, the matrix configured upon a first supporting membrane, the matrix having a percentage of voids value (PCT-V) and a volumetric resin-to-fiber reinforcement ratio value (R:F), the system comprising: a fluid control delivery system; a layup structure having a layup support surface; the first composite layup positioned on the layup support surface; a second composite layup formed of the first composite layup with a second supporting membrane spread upon the matrix, the matrix positioned between the first and second supporting membranes; a roller; a form; and a removable seal configured to seal the form over the second composite layup; wherein the pressurized fluid introduced by the fluid control delivery system serving to expand and bias the second composite layup intimately against the form.

A mould for moulding materials, the mould comprising at least two corresponding mould elements (14, 16, 18, 20) moveable relative to one another towards and away from each other, the towards movement exerting pressure on a moulding material positioned within a cavity formed with the mould wherein upon the mould elements being in contact the mould cavity comprises a recess (120), the recess (120) being located beyond the edge of the moulding to allow escape of gas (12) during moulding.

A method of molding a component includes the steps of providing a plurality of fibers, applying the fibers with a low temperature sizing to form a plurality of sized fibers, forming a preform from the plurality of sized fibers, placing the preform in a mold, and de-sizing the preform by heating the mold to an initial temperature that is sufficient to break down the low temperature sizing to a gaseous phase. A molding apparatus is also disclosed.

A method of molding a component includes the steps of providing a plurality of fibers, applying the fibers with a low temperature sizing to form a plurality of sized fibers, forming a preform from the plurality of sized fibers, placing the preform in a mold, and de-sizing the preform by heating the mold to an initial temperature that is sufficient to break down the low temperature sizing to a gaseous phase. A molding apparatus is also disclosed.

A moulding element (1) intended to be assembled in a mould for a tyre, said moulding element (1) comprising a moulding surface (2), and an external surface (3), venting means (4) designed for venting a flow of air from the moulding surface (2) towards the external surface (3), said venting means (4) comprising a first part (5) opening onto the moulding surface (2) and a second part (6) in communication with the first part (5) and opening onto the external surface (3), the first part (5) forming a path that is closed on itself, is produced by a method comprising the following steps: a step of creating the second part (6) in the moulding element; and a step of creating the first part (5) in the moulding element using a laser.

A moulding element (1) intended to be assembled in a mould for a tyre, said moulding element (1) comprising a moulding surface (2), and an external surface (3), venting means (4) designed for venting a flow of air from the moulding surface (2) towards the external surface (3), said venting means (4) comprising a first part (5) opening onto the moulding surface (2) and a second part (6) in communication with the first part (5) and opening onto the external surface (3), the first part (5) forming a path that is closed on itself, is produced by a method comprising the following steps: a step of creating the second part (6) in the moulding element; and a step of creating the first part (5) in the moulding element using a laser.

A curing bladder (7) for a tire has a shape of revolution about a central axis and a flexible wall made of crosslinked rubber, the external surface of which is intended to come into contact with the internal surface of a green tire during curing, the external surface having a relief structure having a plurality of air evacuation channels. The relief structure has first channels forming air evacuation grooves (100) arranged at a distance of between 2 and 5 mm, and having a depth of between 0.4 and 1 mm, two adjacent grooves defining, between one another, an inter-groove zone (500) having second channels forming air channelling furrows (1000) made so as to communicate with one another and with at least one of the grooves (100), the furrows each having a depth of between 0.01 and 0.4 mm and being situated at a distance of between 0.2 and 1 mm from one another.