Thin wall composite part molding systems and methods

Abstract

A preheat assisted injection/compression molding system for producing thin wall, high fiber content, high flex modulus thermoplastic composites at high temperature includes a press, an injection mold operably coupled to the press and including a first mold portion having a first inner mold surface, and a second mold portion with a second inner mold surface, and a resin injection system configured to inject a molten, free flowing resin into the injection mold. A mold surface pre-heating system includes a heating element configured to selectively heat at least one of the first and second inner mold surfaces to a predetermined temperature at a predetermined depth before the resin is injected into the mold. A cooling system is configured to selectively cool at least one of the first and second inner mold surfaces to rapidly cool a molded part formed by compressing the resin with the press.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.