Patent ID: 9283706
Filing Date: 2016-03-15
CPC Classification: B29B,B29C,B29K

Claim Text:
1. A method of compression molding an elongated fiber reinforced thermoplastic part, comprising: pre-consolidating a quantity of fiber reinforced thermoplastic resin flakes into a mold charge, wherein the step of pre-consolidating the quantity of fiber reinforced thermoplastic resin flakes further comprises: placing the quantity of fiber reinforced thermoplastic resin flakes into a chamber, wherein the fiber reinforced thermoplastic resin flakes have a generally oval shape such that fibers of the fiber reinforced thermoplastic resin flakes have varying lengths of between approximately 0.5 inches and approximately 1.0 inches; heating a number of electrical resistance coils integrated into ceramic band heaters sleeved over the chamber to a melting temperature of a resin in the fiber reinforced thermoplastic resin flakes, and compacting the fiber reinforced thermoplastic resin flakes in the chamber into the mold charge; loading the mold charge into a charge cylinder; heating the charge cylinder until the mold charge is flowable; heating a mold, wherein the mold comprises a part cavity and at least one fitting cavity; injecting the flowable mold charge into the heated mold to mold the mold charge into the part, wherein the step of injecting the flowable mold charge into the heated mold further comprises: injecting the flowable mold charge into the heated mold to mold the mold charge into the part to achieving a uniform distribution of the fibers of varying lengths in the part, wherein the uniform distribution promotes isotropic mechanical properties and strengthens the part; and cooling the mold until the part is capable of retaining its shape.