A molding tool and a method for producing molded parts from a moldable material with a first tool component and a second tool component are described. The first tool component has a cavity with a first molding surface and the second tool component has a second molding surface and a flexible material forming at least one portion of the second molding surface. In a first step, a moldable material is introduced into the cavity and then the second tool component is moved into the cavity. A second molding surface of the second tool component moves the moldable material in regions against the first molding surface. Thereafter, overpressing of the second tool component takes place after reaching a bottom dead center within the cavity, whereby the flexible material is deformed and presses the moldable material against a corresponding portion of the first molding surface.

A molding tool and a method for producing molded parts from a moldable material with at least one first tool component and at least one second tool component are described. The first tool component has a cavity with a first molding surface and the second tool component has a molding element with a second molding surface, which has an at least partially flexible material. Moldable material introduced into the cavity is pressed against the first molding surface at least in certain regions by the deformation of the flexible material. A medium is introduced via the molding element for this purpose, which leads to deformation of the flexible material.

A compliant stamping tool for stamp forming a workpiece includes a support structure, a fluid and a deformable membrane. The support structure includes a support wall spaced from a stamping axis. The support wall defines a chamber with an opening. The fluid is disposed within the chamber. The deformable membrane is secured to the support wall, covers the opening and seals the fluid within the chamber. The deformable membrane defines a compliant stamping surface configured to oppose different non-compliant stamping surfaces of opposing stamping tools. A system for stamp forming a workpiece includes a first stamping tool and the compliant stamping tool. The first stamping tool defines a first non-compliant stamping surface extending from the stamping axis. A method for stamp forming a workpiece is also provided.

A system for preforming a sheet of plastic material (MP) including a first element forming a preforming cavity, the system including a second element adapted to be positioned opposite the first element, a set of pressing means sequentially actuated and carried by the second element to apply pressure locally to the sheet of plastic material (MP), so as to press this sheet (MP) against the first element, at least one means for sequential actuation of the pressing means.

A material forming apparatus and method for shaping a material to a forming tool having complex contours. The material forming apparatus may comprise a bladder sealed to a support structure, cooperatively forming a hollow space therebetween into which air or another gas may be pumped to inflate the bladder. The forming tool may comprise a protrusion of any shape to which the material may conform. The material may be placed between the bladder and the protrusion and the support structure may be actuated toward the forming tool. As the support structure progresses toward the forming tool, an area of material pressed against the protrusion by the bladder increases in an outward direction. A pressure regulator may regulate an amount of pressure applied to the material by the bladder as the bladder presses the material against the forming tool.

A method for making a molded composite article includes the steps of: providing a sleeve body on a pressing portion of a male mold body, the sleeve body being made of a heat-expansible material and having a primary engaging segment and an abutting segment; disposing a composite laminate material on a female mold body; moving the male mold body provided with the sleeve body toward the female mold body while the male mold body and the female mold body are heated; continuing to move the male mold body so that the pressing portion extends into the abutting segment and presses the composite laminate material to form the molded composite article; and separating the male mold body from the female mold body and removing the molded composite article.

A method of forming a flat composite charge into a contoured composite part reduces wrinkles in the part as the charge is being formed. Dies are used to form a portion of charge to the steepest contour of the part, while tension is maintained on the charge as the remaining portions of the charge are formed.

A flexible punch and die are used to form a flat composite laminate charge into a stiffener having a desired cross sectional shape. A desired contour is formed in the stiffener by bending the punch and die. Ply wrinkling is avoided during contouring by maintaining those portions of the stiffener subject to wrinkling in tension as the contouring is being performed. Bridging of the plies during the contouring process is avoided by first contouring those sections of the stiffener that are subject to wrinkling, and then contouring the remaining sections of the stiffener.

A pouch forming method may include: a disposing operation of disposing a pouch sheet between a die portion including a forming lower surface on which a pouch sheet is formed and a forming support portion disposed on the forming lower surface and a punch portion for forming the pouch sheet; a first forming operation of evacuating an internal space of the die portion and lowering the forming support portion in a direction of the forming lower surface to bend the pouch sheet; and a second forming operation of lowering the punch portion in a direction of the forming lower surface to press the pouch sheet.

A pouch forming apparatus includes a die portion having a forming groove, a punch portion disposed to face the forming groove and configured to move relative to the forming groove, and pressurizing a pouch sheet disposed on the die portion into the forming groove, a forming pad disposed to move relative to the punch portion within the forming groove and controlling a depth of the forming groove, and a vacuum pad applying vacuum pressure to the forming groove to be in close contact with the pouch sheet. The vacuum pad is disposed in at least one corner area of the forming pad.