A method for controlling a resin molding apparatus includes causing the resin molding apparatus to execute, as a single molding cycle, a series of steps including a molding step that molds a resin portion using a molding unit and a measuring-holding step that measures a resin material using a measuring-holding unit and holds the resin material subsequent to the molding step. The method also includes controlling operation of the resin molding apparatus such that the measuring-holding unit does not measure or hold the resin material in a final one of molding cycles that are executed repeatedly a predetermined number of times.

A method for manufacturing a composite part includes forming an initial radius filler on a composite panel. The initial radius filler is formed from a plurality of plies of composite material stacked on the composite panel. The method includes forming a radius of curvature on at least one side of the initial radius filler, positioning a composite stiffener on the composite panel, wherein the composite stiffener is contoured to define a radius gap when joined with the composite panel, positioning the composite stiffener against the at least one side of the initial radius filler, compressing the composite stiffener, composite panel, and initial radius filler via vacuum bag, and heating the initial radius filler to at least one of a cure temperature, a melting temperature, or a fusing temperature to form, from the initial radius filler, a radius gap filler in the radius gap.

In the forming method according to the present disclosure, the shape holding jig is fixed on the first holding jig, the material sheet is attached to the shape holding jig, the material sheet and the shape holding jig are removed from the first holding jig, and the material sheet and the shape holding jig are replaced with a second holding jig having a lighter weight and a smaller heat capacity than the first holding jig, and the material sheet and the shape holding jig fixed on the second holding jig are evacuated. Further, the forming device according to the present disclosure includes a shape holding jig and a holding jig, and the holding jig includes a support mechanism capable of stacking and supporting a plurality of shape holding jigs.

The present disclosure teaches methods of manufacturing hybrid metal/composite battery trays. The hybrid trays, which may be deep, may be made of a metallic (e.g., steel or aluminum alloy), cruciform-shaped partial tray with four, polymer/fiber composite rounded corner inserts that are attached to recessed corners of the partial tray. Overlapping bond joints may be co-molded. Overlapping metallic bond surfaces may be pre-treated by laser ablation and/or by plasma exposure, to increase the bond strength between overlapping metal and polymer/fiber composite surfaces. Mechanical interlocking features may be used to increase joint strength. Hybrid metal/composite trays may be fabricated by press-forming dissimilar parts using a molding tool and a press. Resin Transfer Molding (RTM) with thermoset resin may be used for co-molding four, fibrous preform corner inserts to the cruciform-shaped partial tray. Alternatively, press-forming and curing may be used for attaching thermoplastic polymer/fiber composite prepreg corner inserts to the cruciform-shaped partial tray.