Methods and apparatus to form venting channels on a panel for a decorative layer are disclosed. An example method includes contacting an outer surface of a tool to an outer resin layer of a panel. The outer surface of the tool has protrusions. The example method includes moving the outer surface of the tool on the outer resin layer of the panel in a first direction to cause the protrusions of the tool to form first venting channels on the outer resin layer of the panel and coupling a decorative layer to the outer resin layer of the panel via an adhesive layer. The first venting channels are to vent at least one of gas or vapor away from the decorative layer to deter separation of a portion of the decorative layer from the outer resin layer.

A method for manufacturing a high-pressure tank, capable of removing bubbles inside a carbon-fiber layer and those on an outer surface thereof without deteriorating a strength of the carbon-fiber layer, preventing a defective appearance, reducing variations in size, and thereby manufacturing a high-pressure tank having an excellent strength is provided. A method for manufacturing a high-pressure tank includes an uncured carbon-fiber layer forming step of forming an uncured carbon-fiber layer around a liner, a glass-fiber layer forming step of forming an uncured glass-fiber layer around the uncured carbon-fiber layer, a pin inserting step of inserting a tubular pin disposed therein from an uncured glass-fiber layer side to an interface of the uncured carbon-fiber layer, a gas sucking step of sucking a gas from the pin, and a thermally-curing treatment step of forming a glass-fiber layer and a carbon-fiber layer.

Disclosed is a process for manufacturing a part, named composite part, formed from at least one composite material including at least one layer of a reinforcing structure impregnated with a polymer matrix within which the reinforcing structure extends, wherein: a composite blank of the composite part is prepared; and a step of curing the polymer matrix of the composite blank is carried out, exerting a pressure on at least one pressed face of the composite blank. The pressure is exerted in the form of a pressure gradient applied to the pressed face of the composite blank so as to cause the gas present within the composite part to flow from a zone of maximum pressurization to a gas evacuation zone. Also disclosed is a device for manufacturing such a part.

The air eliminator valve helps to eliminate air in the plastic resin used for composite products manufacturing. During operation, it continuously eliminates the air bubbles in the plastic resin running through the valve, and then transfers the filtered plastic resin into the mold. The design of the air eliminator valve consists of: inlet, inlet lock, air vent, upper cover, main body, ultrasonic generator, outlet lock and outlet. In which, the ultrasonic generator plays a role in generating ultrasonic waves to the plastic resin in the valve body that allows speeding up the air releasing process out the plastic resin. The air content in the valve could go out through the air vent on the upper cover, its status open/close is controlled by airlock with automatic response mechanism.

A vacuum port base comprises an upper face, a lower face, a first channel, and a second channel. The upper face is configured to interface with a vacuum port. The lower face is configured to interface with a surface of a tool. The first channel formed in the lower face is configured to receive an edge breather. The second channel formed within the vacuum port base is configured to receive the vacuum port such that the vacuum port is in fluid communication with the first channel and the edge breather to remove gases from a composite structure.

Methods and apparatus to form venting channels on a panel for a decorative layer are disclosed. An example method includes contacting an outer surface of a tool to an outer resin layer of a panel. The outer surface of the tool has protrusions. The example method includes moving the outer surface of the tool on the outer resin layer of the panel in a first direction to cause the protrusions of the tool to form first venting channels on the outer resin layer of the panel and coupling a decorative layer to the outer resin layer of the panel via an adhesive layer. The first venting channels are to vent at least one of gas or vapor away from the decorative layer to deter separation of a portion of the decorative layer from the outer resin layer.

Methods and apparatus to remove gas and vapor from a panel for a decorative layer are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a first press plate of a hot press to engage a first surface of a panel. The hot press is to apply heat to the panel via the first press plate to cure resin of the panel. A first portion of the first press plate is composed of a permeable material to remove at least one of gas or vapor from the panel to deter the at least one of gas or vapor from exerting a pressure on a decorative layer to be coupled to the panel to deter separation of a portion of the decorative layer from the panel.

A method for manufacturing a high-pressure tank, capable of removing bubbles inside a carbon-fiber layer and those on an outer surface thereof without deteriorating a strength of the carbon-fiber layer, preventing a defective appearance, reducing variations in size, and thereby manufacturing a high-pressure tank having an excellent strength is provided. A method for manufacturing a high-pressure tank includes an uncured carbon-fiber layer forming step of forming an uncured carbon-fiber layer around a liner, a glass-fiber layer forming step of forming an uncured glass-fiber layer around the uncured carbon-fiber layer, a pin inserting step of inserting a tubular pin disposed therein from an uncured glass-fiber layer side to an interface of the uncured carbon-fiber layer, a gas sucking step of sucking a gas from the pin, and a thermally-curing treatment step of forming a glass-fiber layer and a carbon-fiber layer.

A method for curing a thermoset composite part, including placing the composite part within a heating assembly and using the heating assembly to heat the composite part; placing the heating assembly within a pressurization vessel and applying a consolidation pressure; removing the heating assembly from the pressurization vessel and using the heating assembly to cool down the composite part.

Methods and apparatus to form venting channels on a panel for a decorative layer are disclosed. An example method includes contacting an outer surface of a tool to an outer resin layer of a panel. The outer surface of the tool has protrusions. The example method includes moving the outer surface of the tool on the outer resin layer of the panel in a first direction to cause the protrusions of the tool to form first venting channels on the outer resin layer of the panel and coupling a decorative layer to the outer resin layer of the panel via an adhesive layer. The first venting channels are to vent at least one of gas or vapor away from the decorative layer to deter separation of a portion of the decorative layer from the outer resin layer.