A method for molding a composite material in which a curved corner is formed between two planes by using a molding jig includes: shaping a laminated body in such a manner that a thickness of the laminated body is decreased from an outer side toward an inner side of the corner, by using the molding jig in which the angle formed by the two planes is a first bending angle, the laminated body including fiber sheets laminated so as to have the corner curved at the first bending angle; and shaping the laminated body in such a manner that the thickness is decreased from the outer side toward the inner side by curving the corner so as to form a second bending angle, by using the molding jig in which the angle formed by the two planes is the second bending angle smaller than the first bending angle.

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.

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 molding method according to the present invention is a molding method for molding a prepreg by adhering the prepreg to a first mold including an irregular surface, the molding method including the steps of: placing the prepreg on the irregular surface of the first mold; placing, on the prepreg, an elastic sheet including a protrusion having a tip end shape that follows a shape of a recess of the irregular surface; and sealing a space between the first mold on which the prepreg is placed and the elastic sheet, and vacuum suction the space, in which in the vacuum suction step, the prepreg located in the recess is pressed by the protrusion included in the elastic sheet and adheres to the surface of the first mold (11).

A molding method according to the present invention is a molding method for molding a prepreg by adhering the prepreg to a first mold including an irregular surface, the molding method including the steps of: placing the prepreg on the irregular surface of the first mold; placing, on the prepreg, an elastic sheet including a protrusion having a tip end shape that follows a shape of a recess of the irregular surface; and sealing a space between the first mold on which the prepreg is placed and the elastic sheet, and vacuum suction the space, in which in the vacuum suction step, the prepreg located in the recess is pressed by the protrusion included in the elastic sheet and adheres to the surface of the first mold (11).

An upper sealing tool that includes a peripheral region and a recess, by way of which an upper film web is formed. The recess has a transition region and an inner region. The recess has a depth measured between the peripheral region and the inner region. The transition region has a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is provided in a convex state and the second portion is provided in a concave state. A ratio of the depth of the recess to a radius of curvature of the first portion is 2.5. A ratio of the depth of the recess to a radius of curvature of the second portion is 2.5.

An upper sealing tool that includes a peripheral region and a recess, by way of which an upper film web is formed. The recess has a transition region and an inner region. The recess has a depth measured between the peripheral region and the inner region. The transition region has a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is provided in a convex state and the second portion is provided in a concave state. A ratio of the depth of the recess to a radius of curvature of the first portion is 2.5. A ratio of the depth of the recess to a radius of curvature of the second portion is 2.5.

A fluid chamber (20) for a shoe may be formed using pressure channels (190) in a forming mold (100A), eliminating the need to insert a nozzle or needles into the chamber for inflation. A fluid chamber so formed may have a smaller seal area than a chamber formed using an inflation needle, making the chamber more visually pleasing. Apparatus and methods for forming a fluid chamber in this fashion are disclosed.

A fluid chamber (20) for a shoe may be formed using pressure channels (190) in a forming mold (100A), eliminating the need to insert a nozzle or needles into the chamber for inflation. A fluid chamber so formed may have a smaller seal area than a chamber formed using an inflation needle, making the chamber more visually pleasing. Apparatus and methods for forming a fluid chamber in this fashion are disclosed.

A method for manufacturing a foam molded body which can allow the foam resin sheet to follow the shape of the cavity of the mold with high accuracy even when the thickness of the foam resin sheet is thick. The method includes an arranging step to arrange one sheet of a foam resin sheet between first and second molds, the foam resin sheet being formed by extruding and dangling a molten foam resin from a slit; and an expanding step to expand the foam resin sheet by subjecting the foam resin sheet to a reduced pressure suction.