According to one implementation, a composite material forming jig includes molds and a tilting structure. The molds are developable for laminating fiber sheets, after or before impregnated with a resin, in a developed state where the molds are developed. At least one mold of the molds is capable of being inclined relatively to another mold of the molds so that the laminated fiber sheets are shaped. The tilting structure is adapted to develop the molds when the fiber sheets are laminated and incline the at least one mold when the laminated fiber sheets are shaped.

This flexible mandrel for molding a composite material containing a thermosetting resin includes: a main body containing a first material; and a thermally conductive layer containing a second material having a higher thermal conductivity than the first material, the thermally conductive layer being formed so as to cover at least a portion of the main body. The thermally conductive layer extends from a contacting surface of the flexible mandrel, which comes into contact with the composite material during molding, to a non-contacting surface which does not come into contact with the composite material.

This flexible mandrel for molding a composite material containing a thermosetting resin includes: a main body containing a first material; and a thermally conductive layer containing a second material having a higher thermal conductivity than the first material, the thermally conductive layer being formed so as to cover at least a portion of the main body. The thermally conductive layer extends from a contacting surface of the flexible mandrel, which comes into contact with the composite material during molding, to a non-contacting surface which does not come into contact with the composite material.

Techniques for inlaying a composite material within a tooling shell are disclosed. In one aspect, an additively manufactured tooling shell is provided, into which a composite material is inlaid and cured. A surface of the tooling shell is provided with indentations or another mechanism to enable adherence between the composite material and the tooling shell. The resulting integrated structure is used as a component in a transport structure.

A method for producing a vehicle composite component with a layer structure having a core layer in a molding tool, the core layer being formed with regions of different thickness is provided. Steps for this method may include placing a cover layer, in particular a preformed cover layer, which in particular forms an outer skin of the vehicle composite component, onto a mold base plate of the open molding tool; introducing a first fiber layer, which is impregnated with PU resin and has not been subjected to forming, between the cover layer and a first mold counterplate of the open molding tool; closing the molding tool and compression molding the first fiber layer, which is impregnated with PU resin, against the cover layer, as a result of which a preform with a first support layer containing the first fiber layer is formed and hardened while supplying heat.

A method for producing a vehicle composite component with a layer structure having a core layer in a molding tool, the core layer being formed with regions of different thickness is provided. Steps for this method may include placing a cover layer, in particular a preformed cover layer, which in particular forms an outer skin of the vehicle composite component, onto a mold base plate of the open molding tool; introducing a first fiber layer, which is impregnated with PU resin and has not been subjected to forming, between the cover layer and a first mold counterplate of the open molding tool; closing the molding tool and compression molding the first fiber layer, which is impregnated with PU resin, against the cover layer, as a result of which a preform with a first support layer containing the first fiber layer is formed and hardened while supplying heat.

A system for forming a deep drawn helmet and method therefor are disclosed. The system includes a forming draw ring and a non-forming draw ring and supports a prepreg stack between a forming aperture of the forming draw ring and a non-forming aperture of the non-forming draw ring. The system clamps a flange portion of the prepreg stack between a contact surface of the forming draw ring and a contact surface of the non-forming draw ring, which forms a clamped assembly of the rings and the prepreg stack. The system then forms a deep drawn helmet preform from the prepreg stack of the clamped assembly. The same system or a different forming system then consolidates one or more of the preforms into a final deep drawn helmet. The system can control sliding of the flange during forming of the helmet preform without reducing the flange clamping force.

A system for forming a deep drawn helmet and method therefor are disclosed. The system includes a forming draw ring and a non-forming draw ring and supports a prepreg stack between a forming aperture of the forming draw ring and a non-forming aperture of the non-forming draw ring. The system clamps a flange portion of the prepreg stack between a contact surface of the forming draw ring and a contact surface of the non-forming draw ring, which forms a clamped assembly of the rings and the prepreg stack. The system then forms a deep drawn helmet preform from the prepreg stack of the clamped assembly. The same system or a different forming system then consolidates one or more of the preforms into a final deep drawn helmet. The system can control sliding of the flange during forming of the helmet preform without reducing the flange clamping force.

A resin barrier device for connection in a vacuum line, for use in resin infusion during composite manufacture, includes a housing having an inlet port for connection to a resin source and an outlet port for connection to a vacuum source. A flow path extends between the inlet and outlet ports. A gas-permeable membrane is disposed across the flow path to prevent resin from flowing to the vacuum pump. A gasket supports the membrane and is adapted to prevent resin leakage. A method of infusing a preform with a resin also is provided.

A method for molding a composite material obtained by laying up a fiber-reinforced base material includes: disposing a lay-up in which the fiber-reinforced base material is laid up, on a molding surface of a molding jig; covering the lay-up with a film to hermetically seal the lay-up; supplying resin toward the lay-up from a resin supplying unit; sucking atmosphere in the film from a degassing waterproof unit while blocking the resin in the film from passing to impregnate the lay-up with the resin; and discharging the resin in the film from a resin discharging unit after the lay-up is impregnated with the resin. The resin supplying unit is provided on the film side. The degassing waterproof unit is provided on the molding surface side and along one direction in a plane perpendicular to a laying-up direction of the lay-up. The resin discharging unit is provided at the film side.