Disclosed herein are components, systems, and methods to improve characteristics of a manufactured article. Specifically, embodiments of a high pressure system includes an apparatus that subjects the article to specific pressures and temperatures for an amount of time to improve characteristics of the article. Methods of manufacturing include use of the high pressure system to subject the article to specific pressures and temperatures for an amount of time to improve characteristics of the article.

An out-of-autoclave compression molding system is disclosed herein. The system includes a mold, a vacuum bag, a vacuum valve, a pressure plate, and a pressure valve. The mold includes a concave feature and a flange. The vacuum bag covers at least the concave feature. The pressure plate is positioned outside the vacuum bag clamped to the flange and on the mold to form a pressure cavity between the vacuum bag and the plate. An out-of-autoclave compression molding process is also described. The process includes pressing a composite material and thermoset resin into a mold having a flange; surrounding the mold, composite material, and resin with a vacuum bag; sealing and evacuating the vacuum bag; clamping a pressure plate to the flange; and pressurizing the cavity.

Methods and systems for consolidating an additively manufactured piece. In one embodiment, methods include the step of combining the additively manufactured piece with another piece, for example with another additively manufactured piece or with a piece that is not additively manufactured (e.g. an insert, foam, etc.), so that during a consolidation step, those pieces are assembled or connected together.

A method includes forming a base mold including a base surface, a mold surface formed on an opposite side of the base mold, and a plurality of vacuum ports extending between the base mold and the mold surface and positioning an infill material on the base mold, the infill material including a first surface in contact with the mold surface and a second surface formed on an opposite side of the infill material than the first surface. The method also includes applying a vacuum through the plurality of vacuum ports and to the first surface of the infill material to draw the infill material into contact with the mold surface and inserting the infill material into an interior void of a bladder.