An article and a method of forming an article are provided. The article includes a thermoplastic build material and a polymeric support material. The polymeric support material is selectively removable from the thermoplastic build material through immersion in a solvent. The method of forming an article includes forming a part through additive manufacturing with a thermoplastic build material and a polymeric support material, immersing the part in a solvent, selectively softening the polymeric support material with the solvent, removing the part from the solvent, and separating the polymeric support material from the thermoplastic build material. Another method of forming an article includes forming a part through additive manufacturing with a thermoplastic build material and a polymeric support material, immersing the part in a solvent, selectively dissolving the polymeric support material with the solvent, and removing the thermoplastic build material from the solvent.

One example of the present disclosure relates to a tool for laying up composite material to form a workpiece having a target contour. The tool includes a support structure including an elongated member having a longitudinal axis, and support plates connected to the elongated member and spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal axis. The elongated member includes a metallic material. The tool also includes a non-metallic backing structure connected to the support plates, the non-metallic backing structure comprising a working surface that includes a backing contour complementary to the target contour.

One example of the present disclosure relates to a tool for laying up composite material to form a workpiece having a target contour. The tool includes a support structure including an elongated member having a longitudinal axis, and support plates connected to the elongated member and spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal axis. The elongated member includes a metallic material. The tool also includes a non-metallic backing structure connected to the support plates, the non-metallic backing structure comprising a working surface that includes a backing contour complementary to the target contour.

An apparatus performing as a base for printing 3D objects using high temperature thermoplastics employing additive manufacturing methods is provided. The apparatus comprises a heated build platform, a thin removable plate secured on top of the build platform, a high temperature polymer coating applied over the removable plate, and surface treatment of high temperature polymer coating to maintain adhesion between 3D object and printing surface. Also, the removable plate has low coefficient of thermal expansion compared to build platform below it, for avoiding bowing of the plate as it is heated due to heated build platform, hence providing flat printing surface. The thin removable plate allows 3D objects to pop off the plate upon cooling, without damaging the polymer coating, the plate, or the object. It also allows for continuous operation of printing, while the plate is released for cooling, a new plate is installed for printing.

The present invention relates to at least one mold (2) produced by additive manufacturing method; at least one layer (3) (laminated) of resin-impregnated fabrics laid on an outer wall surface of the mold (2); at least one vacuum bag (4) which is placed to substantially cover the layer (3) and allows vacuuming; at least one furnace (5) which enables the layer (3) to be cured by heating, applies pressure to the layer (3) at a pressure value predetermined by the user, and into which the mold (2) is placed; at least one part (6) formed by curing the layers (3).

A tool for forming a composite structure may include two or more segments formed from a polymer material. The tool may further include a crush insert disposed between the two or more segments. The tool may also include a support shaft coupled between the two or more segments. A method of forming a mandrel may include forming segments of the mandrel through an additive manufacturing process. The method may further include assembling the segments relative to one another. The method may also include positioning a crush insert between each of the segments. A method of fabricating a composite structure is also disclosed.

A method of curing a part in a mold using induction heated tooling is provided. In preferred embodiments, the method comprises placing a material that may be cured with pressure and heat in tooling made from a non-metallic material wherein the tooling includes a mold cavity that forms the part. Creating an electro-magnetic field across the tooling using induction coils. Applying pressure to the tooling and heating a metallic material contained in channels formed in the tooling around the mold cavity of the part.

The invention relates to a fiber layup method comprising preparing a deposition surface (110) of a tooling (100) configured for the fiber layup of a prepreg comprising a thermoplastic polymer matrix, the method comprising steps of: preparing the deposition surface (110); depositing a thin layer (320) of a thermoplastic polymer on at least part of the deposition surface (110) thus prepared; wherein a melting temperature of the thermoplastic polymer of the thin layer is equal to or higher than a melting temperature of the thermoplastic polymer matrix. The invention also relates to a tooling configured to implement such a method).

The invention relates to a mold for drying a fibrous preform, comprising at least one part having inner faces defining a cavity of the mold, against which the fibrous preform, wetted by a wetting liquid, is intended to be brought into contact, said part having an openwork structure allowing the wetting liquid to pass through this part of the mold, the openwork part consisting of a plurality of intersecting filaments defining through-openings allowing the passage of the wetting liquid.