Patent ID: 7985365
Filing Date: 2011-07-26
Classification: B29C,B29K,B29L,C08J

Abstract:
1. A method of creating a functional utility-surface on a thermoset composite component, including the steps of: fixing the position of a cured thermoset polymer composite component, the thermoset polymer composite component having a thermoplastic polymer surface layer attached to at least a portion of one surface thereof, the thermoset polymer composite component being fixed in position to allow access to the thermoplastic polymer surface layer; and shaping the thermoplastic polymer surface layer to form a functional utility-surface by performing in order the steps of: selecting a shaped tool to provide a desired utility-surface profile to the thermoplastic polymer surface layer of the component; heating at least a portion of the thermoplastic polymer surface layer to a temperature at which the thermoplastic polymer can be made to flow; and pressing the selected shaped tool into the thermoplastic polymer surface layer, causing the thermoplastic polymer to flow beneath the tool, around the tool or both beneath the tool and around the tool and removing the shaped tool from the thermoplastic surface layer with a functional utility surface layer formed therein, wherein the shaped tool used to form the functional utility surface in the thermoplastic polymer surface layer is a second component which is later assembled with the thermoset composite component, wherein the second component is a second thermoset polymer composite component.