Preform charges and fixtures therefor
AssigneeArris Composites Inc.
InventorsErick Davidson, Ethan Escowitz, Riley Reese, Sean Hennessee, J. Scott Perkins
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A preform charge is formed by forming an assemblage of preforms, wherein preforms in the assemblage are bonded to a neighboring preform such that the preform charge effectively becomes a single unit. The preform charge can then be added to a mold to fabricate a part via compression molding.
Claims23
A method for forming a fiber composite part, the method comprising:
- providing a number, n, wherein n=1 or more, of preform charges, wherein a collective weight of the n preform charges is equal to the weight of the fiber composite part, the n preform charges including a first preform charge, wherein providing the first preform charge comprises printing, via a 3D printer, the first preform charge, the first preform charge having a shape that substantially conforms to at least a first portion of a mold cavity of a compression molding tool into which the first preform charge is to be placed;
- placing the number of preform charges in the mold cavity;
- closing the mold cavity;
- and
- compression molding the number of preform charges to form the fiber composite part.
A method for forming a fiber composite part, the method comprising:
- printing, via a 3D printer, a first preform charge, the first preform charge comprising a single, continuous length of prepreg;
- fabricating a second preform charge by:
- (a) forming an assemblage of a requisite amount of preforms, the assemblage having a first shape, each preform in the assemblage being a segment of towpreg, consisting of a fiber bundle and a polymer resin, the fiber bundle including a plurality of co-aligned fibers,
- (b) constraining the preforms in the assemblage to maintain the first shape, and,
- (c) after forming the assemblage, softening the preforms, thereby causing at least some neighboring softened, constrained preforms in the assemblage to tack together, forming the second preform charge;
- placing the first preform charge and the second preform charge in a mold cavity of a compression-molding tool;
- closing the mold cavity;
- and
- compression molding the first preform charge and the second preform charge to form the fiber composite part.
A method for forming a fiber composite part from a feed consisting of one preform charge, the method comprising:
- (a) printing, via a 3D printer, the preform charge;
- (b) placing the preform charge in a mold that produces the fiber composite part via a compression molding process;
- (c) closing the mold;
- and
- (d) compression molding the preform charge to form the fiber composite part.
A method for forming a fiber composite part from a feed consisting of a first preform charge and a second preform charge, the method comprising:
- (a) placing the feed in a mold that produces the fiber composite part via a compression molding process;
- (b) closing the mold;
- and
- (c) compression molding the feed to form the fiber composite part.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.