Assemblies and methods for forming fiber reinforced thermoplastic structures
AssigneeRohr, Inc.
InventorsJONATHAN S. HUANG, JEFFREY D. WOODS, MICHAEL VAN TOOREN, NOUSHIN BAHRAMSHAHI
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Abstract
A method for forming a fiber reinforced thermoplastic part may comprise the steps of locating a thermoplastic material over a mold tool, heating the thermoplastic material to a pliable forming temperature, conforming the thermoplastic material to a mold surface of the mold tool, and depositing a plurality of fiber strips over the thermoplastic material.
Claims20
A method for forming a fiber reinforced thermoplastic part, the method comprising:
- locating a thermoplastic material over a mold tool;
- heating the thermoplastic material to a pliable forming temperature;
- conforming the thermoplastic material to a mold surface of the mold tool;
- and
- depositing a plurality of fiber strips over the thermoplastic material.
An assembly for forming a fiber reinforced thermoplastic part, the assembly comprising:
- a mold tool having a mold surface;
- a plurality of attachment frames located around a perimeter of the mold surface and configured to form an airtight seal with a thermoplastic material located over the mold tool;
- a vacuum configured to evacuate air from over the mold surface;
- and
- a fiber dispensing assembly configured to deposit a plurality of fiber strips over the mold surface.
A method for forming a fiber reinforced thermoplastic part, the method comprising:
- locating a thermoplastic material over a mold tool such that the thermoplastic material is spaced apart from a mold surface of the mold tool;
- heating the thermoplastic material to a pliable forming temperature;
- evacuating air from between the thermoplastic material and the mold surface;
- and
- depositing a plurality of fiber strips over the thermoplastic material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.