A composite laminate structure includes one or more layers of prepreg and a thermoplastic polyurethane film layer on the surface of the one or more prepregs. A method of making a composite laminate structure including a thermoplastic polyurethane film is also provided.

Disclosed herein are fully automated methods for shaping a composite material.

Provided is a method for pretensioning the membrane of a press, including the following steps: a) providing a press having a first pressing tool, a second pressing tool and a membrane. The first pressing tool and the second pressing tool are movable relative to one another, wherein the membrane is connected to one of the pressing tools. A cavity for a working medium is formed between the membrane and the pressing tool connected thereto. The cavity is sealed by at least one seal which presses onto the membrane with a sealing force; b) providing at least one workpiece, wherein the workpiece includes a matrix and fibres embedded therein; c) inserting the workpiece into the press; d) closing the press; e) subjecting the workpiece to pressure and/or to heat by means of the membrane. A cured shaped part is formed from the workpiece; and f) opening the press and removing the shaped part. In order to ensure as smooth as possible a surface of the membrane, it is proposed that the membrane is already pretensioned before step e). Also presented and described is a press for carrying out this method.

Provided is a method for pretensioning the membrane of a press, including the following steps: a) providing a press having a first pressing tool, a second pressing tool and a membrane. The first pressing tool and the second pressing tool are movable relative to one another, wherein the membrane is connected to one of the pressing tools. A cavity for a working medium is formed between the membrane and the pressing tool connected thereto. The cavity is sealed by at least one seal which presses onto the membrane with a sealing force; b) providing at least one workpiece, wherein the workpiece includes a matrix and fibres embedded therein; c) inserting the workpiece into the press; d) closing the press; e) subjecting the workpiece to pressure and/or to heat by means of the membrane. A cured shaped part is formed from the workpiece; and f) opening the press and removing the shaped part. In order to ensure as smooth as possible a surface of the membrane, it is proposed that the membrane is already pretensioned before step e). Also presented and described is a press for carrying out this method.

The disclosure is to improve quality of a processed molded product. A processing apparatus is a processing apparatus for a composite material in which fibers and a thermoplastic resin are compounded. The processing apparatus includes a heating device configured to heat the composite material to a temperature higher than or equal to the melting point of the resin contained in the composite material; a mold configured to press the composite material; and a temperature adjustment unit configured to adjust the temperature of the mold. While the mold presses the composite material, the temperature adjustment unit maintains the temperature of the mold at a predetermined temperature at which a time required for solidification of the resin contained in the composite material matches a desired time.

An object of the disclosure is to improve the quality of a molded component after processed. A processing apparatus 10 is the processing apparatus 10 for a composite material 1 in which fibers and a thermoplastic resin are compounded. The processing apparatus 10 includes: a pair of pallets 20 configured to clamp the composite material 1; a heating die 30 configured to press and heat the composite material 1 via the pair of pallets 20; a cooling die 40 configured to press and cool the composite material 1 via the pair of pallets 20; a temperature adjustment unit configured to adjust a temperature of the cooling die 40; and a conveyance device 50 configured to convey the pair of pallets 20 clamping the composite material 1 from the heating die 30 to the cooling die 40.

An object of the disclosure is to improve the quality of a molded component after processed. A processing apparatus 10 is the processing apparatus 10 for a composite material 1 in which fibers and a thermoplastic resin are compounded. The processing apparatus 10 includes: a pair of pallets 20 configured to clamp the composite material 1; a heating die 30 configured to press and heat the composite material 1 via the pair of pallets 20; a cooling die 40 configured to press and cool the composite material 1 via the pair of pallets 20; a temperature adjustment unit configured to adjust a temperature of the cooling die 40; and a conveyance device 50 configured to convey the pair of pallets 20 clamping the composite material 1 from the heating die 30 to the cooling die 40.

A method for making a molded composite includes the steps of providing a lower mold that has an upward depressed surface having first and second surface regions and an interconnecting region, placing a mold release film on the upward depressed surface to cover at least the first and second surface regions and the interconnecting region, placing a molding material on the mold release film such that the mold release film is disposed between the upward depressed surface and the molding material, and hot pressing the molding material by pressing a downward pressing region of an upper mold toward the upward depressed region of the lower mold so as to form the molding material into a molded composite.

A method for making a molded composite includes the steps of providing a lower mold that has an upward depressed surface having first and second surface regions and an interconnecting region, placing a mold release film on the upward depressed surface to cover at least the first and second surface regions and the interconnecting region, placing a molding material on the mold release film such that the mold release film is disposed between the upward depressed surface and the molding material, and hot pressing the molding material by pressing a downward pressing region of an upper mold toward the upward depressed region of the lower mold so as to form the molding material into a molded composite.

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.