A method for making a composite part using a reformable mandrel, including contouring a reformable mandrel; placing an uncured composite part on the reformable mandrel; curing the uncured composite part; and removing the reformable mandrel, wherein the reformable mandrel includes a core including a transitional state material having a transition temperature, and a sleeve at least partially surrounding the core and including a heat-resistant flexible material having an operational temperature.

A tool for forming a part includes a first tool portion including a first tool surface. The tool further includes a second tool portion comprising a second tool surface facing the first tool surface, wherein the first tool surface and the second tool surface define a tool chamber for forming the part. The tool further includes a bladder subassembly disposed in the tool chamber between the first tool surface and the second tool surface. The bladder subassembly includes a plurality of inner bladders disposed within tool chamber, wherein each inner bladder of the plurality of inner bladders includes an inner bladder chamber that is independently inflatable to selectively apply pressure to the part. The bladder subassembly further includes a bladder cover disposed over the plurality of inner bladders within the tool chamber to provide a barrier between the plurality of inner bladders and the part.

A system and method for producing a comestible baked product in complex shapes using cast molding wherein a portion of the interior cavity forms a baking cup which can optionally receive a liner. Embodiments generally include a first part and second part that are configured to be joined together along a seam. When configured, an outer surface is created and an inner surface cavity which creates a contiguous internal hollow space in the form of a three dimensional shape is formed. A portion of this internal hollow space forms a cup. The mold may provide a means for supporting the mold in a special and beneficial baking orientation such as inverted; the cup may be in a form other than circular shape. Other embodiments may include a single piece that is attachable to the rim of a cup of a multi-cup baking pan or to a single stand-alone cup.

According to one implementation, a composite material molding jig 3 includes a tubular member 5 and at least one rigid plate member 6 (6A, 6B) so that a composite material structure O (O1, O2) having a hollow structure can be formed easily. The tubular member 5 has flexibility. The at least one rigid plate member 6 (6A, 6B) reinforces strength of the tubular member 5 partially. The tube is used in a state where air is introduced inside the tube. Further, according to one implementation, a composite material molding method includes using the above-mentioned composite material molding jig 3 in order to produce a composite material structure O (O1, O2) so that the composite material structure O (O1, O2) having a hollow structure can be formed easily.

A system includes a U-shaped chute, one or more feeder mechanisms, a sock application assembly, and a film application assembly. The chute has a chute inlet and a chute outlet and is configured to receive a mandrel having a mandrel length. The one or more feeder mechanisms are configured to move the mandrel into the chute inlet and through the chute. The sock application assembly has a sock material spool containing a breather sock in tubular form. The sock application assembly is configured to progressively apply the breather sock over the mandrel length as the mandrel exits the chute outlet. The film application assembly has a film material spool containing a film in tubular form. The film application assembly is configured to progressively apply the film over the breather sock covering the mandrel exiting the sock application assembly to thereby form a film-sock-mandrel assembly.

A bonding tool is described that is used to secure sacrificial pads to bonding locations on a perimeter of a rib during a bonding process. In one embodiment, the bonding tool includes a base member having a rib receptacle dimensioned to receive a rib of a wing, a plurality of compression forms disposed around at least a portion of the rib receptacle and proximate to a perimeter of the rib, where the compression forms include a plurality of sacrificial pads that face towards bonding locations on the perimeter of the rib, and at least one bladder proximate to the compression forms that expands between a wall of the base member and the compression forms to press the sacrificial pads against the bonding locations while the sacrificial pads bond to the bonding locations.

The improved mold assembly for cultured marble molding is provided. The mold assembly can comprise a male mold portion and a female mold portion. The assembly can further comprise a molding tool. The molding tool can have a side wall having an upper curved s and a lower curved portion. The molding tool can be constructed from a flexible and/or soft material. The lower curved portion of the molding tool can be coated with a gel coat having a first color. The molding tool can facilitate molding of a countertop having a recessed bowl portion having a color different from a counter portion of the countertop.

The improved mold assembly for cultured marble molding is provided. The mold assembly can comprise a male mold portion and a female mold portion. The assembly can further comprise a molding tool. The molding tool can have a side wall having an upper curved s and a lower curved portion. The molding tool can be constructed from a flexible and/or soft material. The lower curved portion of the molding tool can be coated with a gel coat having a first color. The molding tool can facilitate molding of a countertop having a recessed bowl portion having a color different from a counter portion of the countertop.

A device and a process for manufacturing a composite part, the device comprising four molding mandrels that can be arranged in a mold arrangement in which they form a mold for the composite part, as well as a locking mandrel configured to lock the molding mandrels in the mold arrangement and to be extracted from between the molding mandrels to release the molding mandrels from their mold arrangement. The locking mandrel extends from one longitudinal end of the molding mandrels to another opposite longitudinal end of the molding mandrels.

The improved mold assembly for cultured marble molding is provided. The mold assembly can comprise a male mold portion and a female mold portion. The assembly can further comprise a molding tool. The molding tool can have a side wall having an upper curved s and a lower curved portion. The molding tool can be constructed from a flexible and/or soft material. The lower curved portion of the molding tool can be coated with a gel coat having a first color. The molding tool can facilitate molding of a countertop having a recessed bowl portion having a color different from a counter portion of the countertop.