An arrangement for producing a composite material component comprises a bagging configured to seal a receiving space for a semi-finished part against the ambient atmosphere. The bagging is a thermoformed bagging having a shape which, at least in sections, corresponds to a shape of the semi-finished part and which comprises an air-tight outer layer and an inner separation layer. The inner separation layer is configured to allow the bagging to be separated from the composite material component made from the semi-finished part. The arrangement further comprises a vacuum source connected to the receiving space and configured to generate a reduced pressure within the receiving space. The arrangement also comprises a curing apparatus configured to cure a thermoset plastic material either contained in at least one element of the semi-finished part or injected into the receiving space when the semi-finished part is sealed within the receiving space via the bagging.

A thermoforming machine for manufacturing articles from a heated thermoplastic film includes a molding station, an extraction device, a hole punch; and a stacking station. The hole punch includes a pivotable lower punching tool which receives punched-out articles from the extraction device while being pivoted into a tilted position facing the extraction device and which pivots into a vertical 0 position to face an upper punching tool for punching operation.

A thermoforming machine for manufacturing articles from a heated thermoplastic film includes a molding station, an extraction device, a hole punch; and a stacking station. The hole punch includes a pivotable lower punching tool which receives punched-out articles from the extraction device while being pivoted into a tilted position facing the extraction device and which pivots into a vertical 0 position to face an upper punching tool for punching operation.

A thermoforming device is described. It relates to a mold assembly including a first and second mold, and to a mold that can be used in a thermoforming device. It also relates to a method for thermoforming a product. The thermoforming device is characterized in that the thermoforming device comprises a second pre-stretcher, in addition to a first pre-stretcher and a calibration element (19, 20), and that the second pre-stretcher is at least partially and moveably arranged in a second mold body (12, 43). A movement relative to the second mold body (12, 43) and towards the same forming cavity of the first pre-stretcher, the second pre-stretcher, and the calibration element (19, 20), can be individually controlled, arid the second pre-stretcher at least partially surrounds the first pre-stretcher and the calibration element (19, 20).

A thermoforming device is described. It relates to a mold assembly including a first and second mold, and to a mold that can be used in a thermoforming device. It also relates to a method for thermoforming a product. The thermoforming device is characterized in that the thermoforming device comprises a second pre-stretcher, in addition to a first pre-stretcher and a calibration element (19, 20), and that the second pre-stretcher is at least partially and moveably arranged in a second mold body (12, 43). A movement relative to the second mold body (12, 43) and towards the same forming cavity of the first pre-stretcher, the second pre-stretcher, and the calibration element (19, 20), can be individually controlled, arid the second pre-stretcher at least partially surrounds the first pre-stretcher and the calibration element (19, 20).

A molding device may comprise a mold, a plate, and a ring. The mold may comprise: a lower surface; an upper surface parallel to the lower surface; a hole defined in a part of the upper surface; and a through hole extending from a bottom surface of the hole to the lower surface of the mold. The plate may comprise a surface with a gas outlet defined therein. The ring may be arranged between the lower surface of the mold and the surface of the plate and connecting the mold and the plate. The ring may surround the through hole exposed on the lower surface of the mold and the gas outlet exposed on the surface of the plate. In a region where the ring is not arranged, a space may be defined between the lower surface of the mold and the surface of the plate.

A molding device may comprise a mold, a plate, and a ring. The mold may comprise: a lower surface; an upper surface parallel to the lower surface; a hole defined in a part of the upper surface; and a through hole extending from a bottom surface of the hole to the lower surface of the mold. The plate may comprise a surface with a gas outlet defined therein. The ring may be arranged between the lower surface of the mold and the surface of the plate and connecting the mold and the plate. The ring may surround the through hole exposed on the lower surface of the mold and the gas outlet exposed on the surface of the plate. In a region where the ring is not arranged, a space may be defined between the lower surface of the mold and the surface of the plate.

An inspection device includes: an illumination device that irradiates standard and inspection objects with near-infrared light; a spectroscope that disperses reflected light; an imaging device that takes images of first and second optical spectrums of the reflected light dispersed by the spectroscope to obtain standard spectroscopic image data and inspection spectroscopic image data; and a processor. The processor executes a predetermined arithmetic operation with regard to at least one of (i) each pixel row of the standard spectroscopic image data perpendicular to a wavelength dispersion direction and (ii) each pixel column of the standard spectroscopic image data parallel to the wavelength dispersion direction. The processor, based on luminance values of pixels belonging to the pixel row or column, determines a characteristic of the pixel row and grasps a wavelength sensitivity characteristic of the imaging element under the near-infrared light emitted from the illumination device.

A method and apparatus is presented. A portion is cut from a thermoplastic sheet of a first thermoplastic material based on a three dimensional model. The portion is secured to a mold. The portion and the mold are heated under vacuum to form a structure. The structure may take the form of a protective covering. In some illustrative examples, the mold may be formed of a second thermoplastic material based on the three dimensional model using additive manufacturing.

A method and apparatus is presented. A portion is cut from a thermoplastic sheet of a first thermoplastic material based on a three dimensional model. The portion is secured to a mold. The portion and the mold are heated under vacuum to form a structure. The structure may take the form of a protective covering. In some illustrative examples, the mold may be formed of a second thermoplastic material based on the three dimensional model using additive manufacturing.