Patent ID: 8206532
Filing Date: 2012-06-26
Classification: B29C,B29K

Abstract:
1. A method for forming an elongate, hollow article of a fiber-reinforced composite material, the method comprising: providing an elongate, metallic tool bar comprising a first end and a second end and having a fixed anvil at said first end of the tool bar, applying at least one layer of a resin-impregnated fiber-reinforced web material around the tool bar so as to form an uncured article thereon, wherein one end of the uncured article engages a support surface or is supported by the support surface of the fixed anvil, heating the article on the tool bar for curing the article, cooling the cured article on the tool bar, wherein the tool shrinks laterally and longitudinally relative to the cured article during the cooling, and dismantling the cured, cooled article from the tool bar by moving the cured, cooled article in a direction away from the first end towards the second end of the tool bar, wherein the support surface of the fixed anvil controls a direction of longitudinal movement of the cured article relative to the tool bar during the cooling and the dismantling.