System and method for gas bleed lines in composite part molding operations

An apparatus for molding a composite material comprising:

• a plurality of mold pieces that cooperate to form a mold having a mold cavity extending from a first end to a second end for molding a composite tube from the first end to the second end of the mold cavity, the mold comprising:
• an outer surface;
• an upper mold portion that defines an upper portion of the mold cavity, the upper mold portion having a lower face, the upper mold portion comprising first, second, and third mold pieces each extending from the first end to the second end of the mold cavity;
• a lower mold portion that defines a lower portion of the mold cavity, the lower mold portion having an upper face adjacent to and that faces the lower face of the upper mold portion;
• and
• an inner molding surface defining first and second corners at the upper portion of the mold cavity, the plurality of mold pieces split along a plurality of part lines configured to reduce voiding, the plurality of part lines comprising a first part line running between the first corner to the outer surface of the mold between the first and second mold pieces and a second part line running between the second corner to the outer surface of the mold between the second and third mold pieces, the plurality of mold pieces adapted to separate during molding at the plurality of part lines and the plurality of part lines adapted to provide bleed lines for a plurality of voiding areas of the mold cavity.