Vacuum apparatus and method

A method of applying a vacuum to a reinforcement lay-up in a vacuum bag;

• the method comprising;
• providing a reinforcement lay-up on a mould, the lay-up comprising a dry reinforcement material;
• providing a vacuum apparatus, the vacuum apparatus comprising:
• a vacuum port component having a vacuum port component body portion defining a contact surface and an internal cavity, the vacuum port component further comprising a vacuum port oriented away from the contact surface and in communication with the vacuum port component internal cavity;
• a vacuum component having a vacuum component body portion defining a contact surface and an internal cavity;
• wherein the vacuum component contact surface comprises a plurality of inlet apertures or one or more inlet slots extending therethrough and in communication with the vacuum component internal cavity;
• the vacuum port component and the vacuum component being connected or connectable to one another to place the respective internal cavities in fluid communication with one another and to provide a contiguous vacuum apparatus contact surface;
• connecting the vacuum port component to the vacuum component to place the respective internal cavities in fluid communication with one another;
• placing the contact surfaces of the vacuum port component and the vacuum component against the dry reinforcement material;
• coupling the vacuum port of the vacuum apparatus to a vacuum system through an aperture in a vacuum bag;
• sealing the vacuum bag to the mould around the reinforcement lay-up;
• and
• applying a vacuum to the reinforcement lay-up using the vacuum system, via the plurality of inlet apertures, or the one or more slots.