Apparatus for stamping a thermoplastic matrix composite blank

An apparatus comprising:

• a stamping device comprising a stamping die and a movable punch vertically movable relative to the stamping die between an open position and a closed position, the closed position defining a gap between walls of the stamping die and walls of the movable punch;
• a composite stamping blank comprising reinforcing fibers in a thermoplastic polymer matrix;
• a transfer frame configured to support the composite stamping blank along at least two edges of the composite stamping blank and comprising an open area encompassing an outer perimeter of the stamping die;
• rails to move the transfer frame above the stamping die and between an upper position and a lower position relative to the stamping die;
• wherein:
• the transfer frame comprises at least two holding members, each holding member being configured to maintain a holding portion of the composite stamping blank on each of the at least two edges;
• each holding member comprises a bore hole configured to cooperate with a centering pin of a receiving member attached to the stamping die;
• the stamping die comprises at least two receiving members configured to cooperate with the at least two holding members so as to connect each holding member with each receiving member by way of the centering pin when the transfer frame passes from the upper position to the lower position;
• each receiving member being attached to the stamping die by a pivot link about a horizontal axis;
• and
• each receiving member comprises at least one slide such that when the at least two holding members are connected to the at least two receiving members, the at least two holding members are guided in translation relative to the at least two receiving members in a sliding plane parallel to the horizontal axis and in a direction perpendicular to the horizontal axis.