Composite manufacturing method for services troughs

A method of manufacturing a services trough, the services trough comprising a channel and at least one support rib extending around the channel, wherein the method comprises forming the services trough by a closed mould process, wherein the closed mould process is a resin transfer moulding (RTM) process comprising:

• forming at least one preform comprising the reinforcement material by forming at least one foam core in a predetermined shape and at least partially wrapping the reinforcement material around the foam core, wherein the at least one preform is for forming the at least one support rib, the at least one foam core is formed in the shape of the at least one support rib and the preform is formed in the shape of the at least one support rib by at least partially wrapping reinforcement material around the at least one foam core;
• laying up a reinforcement material inside a mould cavity within a mould, comprising locating the at least one preform in the mould cavity;
• closing the mould;
• supplying resin composition into the mould cavity;
• and
• curing the reinforcement material and resin composition in the mould cavity.