Patent ID: 6054003
Filing Date: 2000-04-25
Classification: B29C,Y10T

Abstract:
A method of producing fiber-reinforced, three-dimensionally shaped products, said method comprising the steps of:(a) depositing individual layers of matrix and reinforcing material, each having an orientation, to form a laminate on a carrier net which has been secured in a frame by spring needles;(b) heating the laminate of step (a);(c) pressing the heated laminate of step (b) in a mold into a desired three-dimensional shape to form a three-dimensionally shaped article, the orientation of the reinforcing material remaining unchanged;(d) releasing the three-dimensionally shaped article of step (c) from the mold; and,(e) removing the three-dimensionally shaped article of step (d) from the mold, wherein:(f) the laminate of step (a) comprises defined areas of higher reinforcement relative to the remaining area of the laminate which correspond to defined areas of higher strength in the three-dimensionally shaped article;(g) the frame of step (a) is a positioning frame which allows the laminate to be located in a specific, proper position in the mold, said positioning frame having a mechanical, physical, electrical, or optical marker which allows positioning the frame and positioning the laminate in the mold; and,(h) the individual layers of the laminate are secured in said frame at more than one point.