The invention relates to a tooling for stamping a composite blank with a thermoplastic matrix and continuous fibrous reinforcement, and a stamping method using such a tooling, the tooling comprising: a die comprising an imprint (110) having a bottom (111) and side walls (112); a punch (120) the external shape of which is paired with the imprint of the die and comprising a central part (123) and at least two lateral movable parts (121, 122) in sliding connection with the central part (123), so that the movable lateral parts being stopped in translation according to a striking direction (190) against the bottom of the die, a further displacement of the central part (123) in the same direction causes the movable lateral parts to move in translations perpendicular to the striking direction (190).

During a manufacturing method, a preform is arranged with a plurality of grips. The preform includes a stack of a plurality of layers of material. The grips are disposed along a periphery of the stack. The preform is formed into a shaped body. The forming includes pressing a die against the stack and gripping the stack with the grips during the pressing of the die. The gripping includes asynchronously gripping the stack with at least some of the grips.

A method and mold for forming a thermoplastic composite that has one or more inner openings, and a thermoplastic composite manufactured using such method. Typically, forming of a thermoplastic composite is achieved using a mold comprising a first and second mold part that are moved towards each other for the purpose of forming the thermoplastic composite. The mold further comprises a third mold part that is movably arranged around the one or more first mold parts. Furthermore, an additional step is used of clamping the outer part in between the second and third mold parts during the mutual movement of the first and second mold parts while allowing the one or more inner parts to move relative to the one or more first mold parts thereby increasing the one or more inner openings, respectively.

A method is described for manufacturing a structural element in composite material extending along a straight or curvilinear longitudinal direction, having a Z-shaped cross section and comprising, in its final configuration, a central web and two flanges extending at a given final angle from opposite end portions of the web in respective directions opposite to one another; the method including the steps of: arranging a plurality of layers of composite material on a shaped portion of a forming mold; laminating the layers on the shaped portion so that the web is arranged, at least partially, in its final configuration, that a first flange is arranged in its final configuration at the final angle with respect to the portion of the web arranged in its final configuration, and that a second flange is arranged in its initial configuration at an initial angle distinct from, and greater than, said final angle with respect to the portion of the web arranged in its final configuration; moving a movable portion of the forming mold, which is movable with respect to a fixed portion of the forming mold, from a rest position to a bending position; displacing the second flange from the initial configuration into a final configuration in which it is at said final angle with respect to the portion of the web arranged in its final configuration; the step d) of displacing being carried out by means of the step c) of moving.

A first cut and kitted material is held against a first flange face of a first die. A second cut and kitted material is held against a second flange face of a second die. The method simultaneously forms the first cut and kitted material against a first blade face of the first die and the second cut and kitted material against a second blade face of the second die. The first cut and kitted material and the second cut and kitted material are clamped between the first die and the second die after forming the first cut and kitted material and the second cut and kitted material. A composite stringer preform comprising the first cut and kitted material, the second cut and kitted material, a noodle, and a base material is cured while the composite stringer preform is against the first forming surface and the second forming surface.

A manufacturing method for a fibrous composite bicycle rim, and a tool having two molding devices and one circular device. The two molding devices each have one flank contact surface. A molding device is selected and a matching auxiliary molding part is connected therewith, forming a mold surface for the rim base. A first fiber composite layer is applied to the molding device and the auxiliary molding part. The other molding device is covered with a first fiber composite layer, forming the layer of the other rim flank. A circular device is formed of annular segments has a circumferential rim well contact surface and is covered by a first fiber layer, which forms the rim well. The circular device and the molding devices are connected. The fibrous composite material is allowed to set, the annular segments and the molding devices are removed, and the rim is taken out.

Resin infusion tooling systems and methods of resin infusion are presented. A resin infusion tooling system comprises a heating tool bed comprising a plurality of cavities formed between a plurality of bed segments movable relative to each other, and a plurality of seals configured to seal the plurality of bed segments together for resin infusion of a plurality of dry stringer preforms in the plurality of cavities. The plurality of cavities is expandable by movement of the plurality of bed segments relative to each other.