Method of manufacturing a preform from fiber reinforced composite material

A method of manufacturing a preform with a tool and from uncured multiple laminates of resin impregnated fiber reinforced composite material, said preform having an irregular shape such that at least one edge of any transverse cross-section thereof varies along its length with respect to a reference co-ordinate set of axes, and further such that the cross-sectional area of every cross section of the preform along the length of the perform, and therefore its volume, is predetermined, said tool including a part having a cavity which defines at least part of the shape of the preform, comprising the steps of:

• forming a layup to a length substantially equal to that of the preform from uncured multiple laminates of resin impregnated fiber reinforced composite material, said uncured multiple laminate layup when formed having a regular shape such that no edge of any transverse cross-section of the layup varies along its length with respect to said reference co-ordinate set of axes, such that the cross-sectional area of every cross-section of the layup along the length of the layup is substantially equal to a cross-sectional area of a corresponding cross section of the preform, and further such that the volume of the layup is substantially equal to the volume of the preform;
• placing the layup in the cavity of said tool;
• and
• applying pressure to the tool to cold compact or coin the layup to fill the cavity thereby transforming the layup into the shape of the preform.