A method for preparing a part using a rigid tool surface having a shape. The method includes applying a breather sheet comprising gas-permeable material over the rigid tool surface. A vacuum bag is applied over the breather sheet, and a vacuum pressure is applied underneath the vacuum bag to conform the breather sheet and the vacuum bag to the shape of the rigid tool surface. A resin pre-impregnated ply is applied over the vacuum bag, and the part is positioned over the ply.

An apparatus is provided for forming a pleat of a vacuum bag into position over a stringer of an uncured skin panel. The apparatus comprises a leading shoe and a trailing shoe that cooperates with the leading shoe to form the pleat of the vacuum bag. The apparatus also comprises at least one roller assembly for compacting the formed pleat into position over the stringer.

Disclosed is an elastomeric bladder tool and related systems and methods. In one embodiment, the elastomeric bladder tool comprises an elastomeric inner layer substantially defining an inner cavity of the elastomeric bladder tool, an elastomeric outer layer substantially defining an outer surface of the elastomeric bladder tool, and a permeable middle layer positioned between the elastomeric inner layer and the elastomeric outer layer. The permeable middle layer has greater permeability than both the elastomeric outer layer and the elastomeric inner layer to allow for evacuating of gases that have entered the permeable middle layer.

A molding method and a molding system for improving a molding speed of a resin molded member. In the method, firstly a thermoplastic resin composite material is filled in a metal mold (i.e., at time T0), and subsequently a mold-clamping process gets started. As the mold-clamping process progresses, a first decompression circuit starts to decompress an inside of a cavity when the cavity is closed by a sealing member provided on the metal mold. Then, as the mold-clamping process further progresses, the thermoplastic resin composite material thus filled in the metal mold contacts an upper mold of the metal mold (i.e., at time T2). After that, a second decompression circuit starts to decompress the inside of the cavity, thereby to complete the mold-clamping process (i.e., at time T3).

One embodiment of a method according to the present disclosure may use a fixture with one or more boot recesses formed therein. An embedded member may be engaged with a boot and placed in a boot recess. Substrate lay-up may be placed around all or a portion of the embedded member and an outer member may be positioned over the substrate lay-up. A cover may be positioned over the outer member and engaged with the fixture. The pressure within an interior portion of the fixture may be reduced to less than ambient pressure and resin may be introduced to interact with the substrate lay-up and allowed to cure.

A forming tool for forming a semi-finished product comprising reinforcement fibers and being conveyed to the forming tool in a continuous process. The forming tool comprises at least one pressure bag configured to be pressurized during a forming step of the semi-finished product, during which the semi-finished product is sandwiched between a forming surface of a forming element and the at least one pressurized pressure bag, such that the semi-finished product substantially takes on the shape of the forming surface. Further, a forming apparatus and a forming method for forming a semi-finished product comprising reinforcement fibers are provided.

Systems and methods are provided for securing laminates to mandrels. One embodiment is a method for facilitating layup of preforms, the method including selecting a mandrel that includes at least one receptacle, disposing a first vacuum bag atop the mandrel that covers the receptacle, selecting a Ply Location Template (PLT) that includes a securement element, aligning a portion of the securement element with the receptacle, pressing the portion of the securement element downward into the first vacuum bag and driving the portion of the securement element into the receptacle, and abutting a preform against the PLT.

Systems and methods are provided for securing laminates to mandrels. One embodiment is a method for facilitating layup of preforms, the method including selecting a mandrel that includes at least one receptacle, disposing a first vacuum bag atop the mandrel that covers the receptacle, selecting a Ply Location Template (PLT) that includes a securement element, aligning a portion of the securement element with the receptacle, pressing the portion of the securement element downward into the first vacuum bag and driving the portion of the securement element into the receptacle, and abutting a preform against the PLT.

This disclosure includes methods and apparatus for forming a non-pneumatic tire carcass comprising an inner hub, an outer band, and a plurality of spokes. The method includes arranging the inner hub, the plurality of spokes, and the outer band to form a curing assembly arranged in a first arrangement within a forming apparatus, where the inner hub is arranged concentrically within a radially inner annular side of the outer band and the plurality of spokes are arranged between the outer band and the inner hub. The plurality of spokes are forced in opposite radial directions from the first arrangement and to a second arrangement, where each spoke of the plurality of spokes is forced in a curing position against the inner hub and towards the outer band in a curing arrangement. The plurality of spokes are then cured to each of the inner hub and outer band.

A thermal membrane for manufacturing a vehicle interior panel. The thermal membrane includes a flexible body, a part contour in the flexible body, and a thermal array that includes a thermal temperature control element. The thermal array follows the part contour of the flexible body, and the thermal temperature control element is at least partially embedded in the flexible body. The thermal array of the thermal membrane can be used to heat and activate an adhesive layer during a method of manufacturing a vehicle interior panel, such as during a vacuum forming process to attach a skin layer to a substrate.