Diaphragm forming

A method of forming a fibre article, comprising:

• providing a former having a contoured forming surface;
• providing a mechanism for moving a first diaphragm laterally, the mechanism being a laterally moveable support mounted to the first diaphragm;
• locating a fibre preform on the first diaphragm at a first station;
• laterally moving the first diaphragm carrying the fibre preform to a second station under the former to locate the fibre preform between the first diaphragm and a second diaphragm whilst at the second station, the second diaphragm being offset from the contoured forming surface, the first diaphragm being below the second diaphragm;
• bringing the first and second diaphragms together whilst at the second station;
• drawing a vacuum between the first and second diaphragms so as to hold the fibre preform captive between the diaphragms;
• mechanically displacing the diaphragms relative to the former so as to bring a part of the second diaphragm adjoining the preform into partial conformity with the former, during the said displacing step the former is located above the second diaphragm and the first diaphragm is located at the second station;
• drawing a vacuum between the second diaphragm and the former so as to increase the conformity between the said part of the second diaphragm and the former;
• and
• setting the fibre preform.