Concavity Diaphragm Forming

A method for forming a fibre article, the method comprising:

• providing a former having a contoured forming surface, the forming surface comprising a plurality of concavities each surrounded by a prominence and a part of the prominence of one concavity is shared with a part of the prominence of another cavity;
• locating a fibre preform between a first diaphragm and a second diaphragm;
• drawing a vacuum between the first and second diaphragms so as to hold the preform captive between the diaphragms;
• displacing the second diaphragm towards the former so as to bring the second diaphragm into contact with the prominences of the former to seal against the prominences to form respective first regions defined by the respective concavity and a portion of the second diaphragm and a second region defined by the forming surface outside of the concavities and the second diaphragm;
• drawing a vacuum in each first region in turn so as to bring part of the second diaphragm into conformity with the concavities;
• subsequent to drawing the vacuum in the first region, drawing a vacuum in the second region so as to bring part of the second diaphragm into conformity with the forming surface outside of the concavities;
• and
• setting the preform in its configuration.