Patent ID: 6103156
Filing Date: 2000-08-15
Classification: B29C

Abstract:
A method of fabricating at least one solid composite, structural prototype plastic part having visual and structural characteristics equivalent to those of an actual part to be commercially produced, comprising the steps of:a.) providing a mold selected from the group of soft tool molds ordinarily used for visualization model making, consisting of wax, rubber, plaster, spray metal and plastic molds, said mold having a pre-defined cavity therein conforming to a structural part configuration;b.) selecting a liquid thermoset resin composition;c.) combining said composition with a plurality of short reinforcement fibers into a flowable mixture;d.) bringing said mixture to a viscosity so as to produce a low bulk density compound that can be poured;e.) pouring said compound into said cavity at a time when gelation of said composition is about to occur;f.) allowing said mixture to cure to form said solid composite structural prototype plastic part; andg.) removing said solid composite structural prototype plastic part from said mold.