Custom press forming
Thermoplastic prepreg or laminate is heated and compacted in a press to develop layups and shapes for customer requirements.
Compression Molding
PREHEATING · TOOLING · THERMAL CONTROL
Material preheating and mold control shape forming quality
- 01Preparation & layup
- 02Preheating
- 03Transfer & loading
- 04Press forming
- 05Controlled cooling
- 06Demolding & checks
Preheating: preparing the material
The prepreg layup or laminate is preheated to a state suitable for forming. Temperature and duration are reviewed for the material and thickness, accounting for differences between surface and internal heating.
Transfer: retaining the preheated state
Heat loss and transfer time between preheating and mold loading are considered. Material positioning and loading are reviewed against the mold and press process.
Mold design: connecting geometry and processing
Upper and lower molds, forming surfaces, mold alignment and demolding requirements are reviewed against geometry and layup. The mold shapes the product and supports pressure application and heat transfer.
Temperature control: consistent forming conditions
Mold heating and temperature distribution are reviewed together with material preheating. Material and mold temperatures are considered separately when setting the forming conditions.
Pressure and cooling: consolidation and shape retention
Pressure consolidates and shapes the layup. Pressure retention and cooling are reviewed together, with cooling distribution and demolding timing adjusted for thickness and geometry to reduce distortion and quality variation.
Process optimization and repeatable production
Preheating, transfer, pressure, mold temperature, cooling and demolding are reviewed as one cycle. Product quality and cycle time are assessed together, with automation considered where appropriate.
Preheating method, material/mold temperatures, pressure, cooling and cycle time are set for each material and product. Detailed public conditions: [ ].
MOLD DESIGN EXAMPLES
Buoy and UAV mold examples
Buoy mold
Actual fabricated tooling showing the buoy forming surface and mold configuration. Material placement, pressure, cooling and demolding are reviewed for the curved geometry.
UAV mold
Actual upper and lower UAV tooling installed in a press. Layup placement, mold alignment, temperature and cooling conditions are reviewed for the connected fuselage and wing geometry.
Photographs show actual tooling examples. Detailed drawings and internal thermal-control layouts require a separate disclosure review.
Development scope
Thick sheets, changes in ply orientation, prototype geometry and mold design/fabrication support connect to application development. Final conditions and supply scope are reviewed individually.