Apparatus for resin transfer molding

An apparatus for resin transfer molding in which a dry reinforcing material is degassed and impregnated with resin, said apparatus comprising:

• vacuum chamber means for defining a sealable vacuum chamber and also defining an outlet port;
• a mold positioned within the vacuum chamber and comprising cooperating mold sections which define a mold cavity and receive the reinforcing material and resin therein, the mold sections being supportably moveable relative to one another, each mold section defines a portion of the mold cavity and the mold sections define the mold cavity when positioned in engagement with one another;
• means for providing a reduced pressure in the vacuum chamber while the vacuum chamber is sealed, the reduced pressure means coupled in fluid communication with the outlet port;
• means for injecting resin into the mold cavity, the resin injecting means coupled in fluid communication with one of the mold sections and the mold cavity;
• means for controllably supporting and moving the mold sections toward and away from one another;
• and
• a controller for controlling movement of the supporting and moving means and the operation of the reduced pressure means, so that the mold sections are moved into and supported in a first, spaced apart relationship in which the mold cavity communicates with the vacuum chamber, and a reinforcing material positioned between the mold sections remains in a substantially uncompressed condition while the reduced pressure means is operated to reduce the pressure within the vacuum chamber and the mold cavity.