System for stamping a thick thermoplastic composite blank

A stamping apparatus comprising:

• a trimmed composite blank comprising continuous reinforcing fibers in a thermoplastic polymer matrix;
• a transfer frame configured to hold the trimmed composite blank along at least two edgings, the transfer frame comprising an open area between the at least two edgings of the trimmed composite blank;
• the transfer frame comprising at least one cleat comprising a bearing surface and two centering pins protruding from the bearing surface;
• the trimmed composite blank comprising two positioning bore holes on a first edging of the at least two edgings, the two centering pins being inserted in the two positioning bore holes when a portion of the first edging rests on the bearing surface, when the trimmed composite blank is held by the transfer frame;
• a stamping die and a punch movable with respect to the stamping die between an open position and a closed position, the closed position defining an air gap between walls of the stamping die and walls of the punch, the stamping die comprising at least two guiding pins protruding over a resting surface;
• the transfer frame further comprising connectors connecting the transfer frame to a a guide system for moving the transfer frame above the stamping die to a first position above the resting surface and a second position below the resting surface in which the trimmed composite blank rests on the resting surface;
• the first edging further comprising at least two oblong slots with a first oblong slot being located between the two positioning bore holes in the portion of the first edging, the at least two guiding pins being inserted in the at least two oblong slots when the trimmed composite blank rests on the resting surface;
• the trimmed composite blank comprising holding slots on a second edging of the at least two edgings;
• the transfer frame comprising a comb-shaped support member comprising a plurality of teeth forming a holding surface extending along the second edging of the at least two edgings and further comprising holding pegs protruding from ends of the teeth of the comb-shaped support member, the holding pegs being perpendicular to the holding surface and being inserted in the holding slots when the transfer frame holds the trimmed composite blank;
• wherein:
• a perimeter of the stamping die in a plane parallel to the resting surface is insertable in the open area of the transfer frame;
• and
• the at least one cleat comprises a hinged thermal protection flap covering the portion of the first edging when the trimmed composite blank is held by the transfer frame.