Moulding process

• Main Authors: Andrew Robert Mills, Aurele Bras
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 27.03.2019
• Subjects: AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDEDFOR; SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; TRANSPORTING; WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE, IN GENERAL

A method of moulding an article comprising a first moulding component 10 comprising a first compound and a unidirectional (UD) fibre embedded within a polymer of the component and a second moulding component 12 comprising a second compound and non-directional fibres. The two components are co-moulded 2 together in a moulding tool 4 to form the article. The method comprises the first step of (a) placing the first component into a tool carrier 8 and locating inside the mould; (b) closing the mould and partially cure the first component to the lower half of the mould surface 4b; (c) open the mould and remove the carrier tool (d) place the second component inside the mould and start the second moulding process which co-moulds the pieces together (e) open the mould and remove the article. Preferably the carrier tool comprises two separate 'first components in step (a) that bond to the top 4a and bottom 4b surfaces of the mould respectively. Ideally, the second component is co-moulded with the first component using either compression or injection moulding. Preferably the first and/or second compounds are either thermosets or thermoplastics. Preferably the moulding tool is made from an elastomeric material.