The present invention relates to a method and a mould system (66) for manufacturing at least two preforms for moulding a wind turbine blade. The preforms include at least one preform of a first shape and at least one preform of a second shape. The preform mould structure (68) has a moulding surface (70) of variable shape such that the shape of the moulding surface (70) can be varied at least between a first and a second configuration by using actuators.

A system for manufacturing a composite assembly includes a first mandrel, a second mandrel, a first wrap plate, and a second wrap plate. The first wrap plate and the second wrap plate are positionable in side-by-side relation for receiving a wrap material stack. The first wrap plate and/or the second wrap plate are translatable to a wrap plate open position defining a wrap plate gap between the first and second wrap plate surface edge for receiving a bladder. The second mandrel is translatable to a mandrel open position defining a mandrel gap between the first and second mandrel surface edge. The wrap plate gap and the mandrel gap are configured to receive the wrap material stack formed around a bladder. The first and second wrap plate are configured to fold a first and second material stack base portion into overlapping relation with each other on the bladder top.

A plant for the continuous vulcanisation of mixtures of natural or synthetic latex inside a plurality of vulcanisation moulds aligned close to each other, each including: a base and a lid able to be removably coupled; an advancing mechanism for advancing the moulds along guides inside a vulcanising oven; and a sprayer for spraying the mixture inside the bases before entry into the vulcanising oven. The plant includes: an assembly set and a disassembly set of the moulds, belonging respectively to the input station and to the output station of the vulcanising oven; a first transport mechanism for transferring each base from the disassembly set to the assembly set; a second transport mechanism for transferring each lid from the disassembly set to the assembly set. The vulcanising oven includes a tunnel with a radiofrequency set for vulcanising the mixture.

The invention relates to a press for a casting machine and a casting machine with such a press. The press has a baseplate, an upper frame and a movable clamping platen, with two front columns and two rear columns arranged at the corner zones of the plates and at the corner zones of the upper frame. These columns extend through suitable through openings in the movable clamping platen and are fixed to the baseplate at the stationary upper frame. The press is characterized in that the front columns have a greater distance from one another than the rear columns. Because of this, essentially wider or longer permanent molds or those with side-protruding slides, up to a width corresponding to the increased distance apart of the front columns, may be inserted into the area between the baseplates and the movable clamping platen, and removed again. This means that better use can be made of the pressure and pressing capacity of the press, while the press is similarly or comparably simple, stable and compact in design and as advantageous for production and maintenance as conventional presses with columns arranged in a rectangle.

Flexible molds have an elastic membrane supported by modules, arranged next to one another along a horizontal longitudinal axis of the mold. Each module has traction units, each forming a respective group with a respective thrust unit, with the groups arranged opposite one another at a preset distance. Pairs of traction units are arranged opposite one another in a direction perpendicular to the axis, and the respective thrust units thereof are arranged therebetween. The modules hold the membrane with the mold via reinforced eyelets distributed on both edges parallel to the axis. Each traction unit has linear actuators arranged horizontally and another linear actuator arranged vertically, which together enable movement. The membrane is previously deformed according to an approximation of the prior design of a part to be molded, and prestressed according to a mathematical prediction of the deformation thereof after receiving a conglomerate in liquid or plastic state.

Layers of composite material, such as pre-peg, may be deposited on a reconfigurable polymer mold. An array of actuated pins may deform the polymer mold into a desired 3D shape. The composite material may be inside a cavity formed by the mold and a flexible bag. A vacuum pump may remove air from the cavity, creating a partial vacuum. The partial vacuum may cause the flexible bag to press the composite tightly against the mold, so that the composite conforms to the desired 3D shape. One or more heating elements may be embedded in the mold and may heat the composite to cure the composite. Ball joints may connect the actuated pins to the polymer mold.

A mold for use in fabricating a gas turbine fan casing out of composite material includes a mandrel for having wound thereon a fiber preform of a fan casing and an annular wall with an outside surface of profile corresponding to the profile of the inside surface of the casing that is to be fabricated and of two lateral rims of profiles corresponding to the profiles of outer flanges of the casing that is to be fabricated; a plurality of mold cover angular sectors that are assembled in leaktight manner on the mandrel and that are to close the mold and to compact the fiber preform wound on the mandrel; and a plurality of locking keys configured to lock together in leaktight manner neighboring mold cover sectors. A method of closing such a mold, and a method of fabricating a fan casing are included.

The invention relates to a device for producing a component made from a fiber composite material from a semi-finished fibrous product by means of a multi-part molding and infiltration tool with tool parts, the molding functional surfaces thereof forming, when the tool is closed, a cavity that defines the component. The device is characterized in that the tool (1) has a sealing frame (2, 16, 18, 20, 21, 22) which is designed as a hollow body and in which the semi-finished fibrous product (3) can be arranged, and the tool parts (4) are configured and can be associated with the sealing frame (2, 16, 18, 20, 21, 22) such that, when the tool (1) is closed, the tool parts (4) are connected tightly to the sealing frame (2, 16, 18, 20, 21, 22).

In one version there is provided a test system including a layup tool having a layup surface, and two fairing bars attached to the layup surface. The test system includes the composite laminate having a plurality of stacked plies, and positioned between the two fairing bars. The test system includes fiber distortion initiator(s) positioned at one or more locations under, and adjacent to, one or more plies of the plurality of stacked plies. The test system includes two caul plates with a gap in between, and positioned over the composite laminate. When the test system undergoes a pressurized cure process with a vacuum compaction, a restricted outward expansion of the plurality of stacked plies by the fairing bars, and a pressure differential region formed by the one or more fiber distortion initiators at the one or more locations, create the controlled and repeatable out-of-plane fiber distortion in the composite laminate.

A hybrid mold includes (a) an Invar eggcrate structure, (b) an Invar interim working surface and (c) a CF composite material overlay. The eggcrate and interim working surface are welded or otherwise connected together to form a unitary base mold. The CF overlay is bonded to the interim working surface. The CF overlay is easily reconfigurable and can be replaced without destroying the integrity of the base mold.