Patent ID: 6861017
Filing Date: 2005-03-01
Classification: B29C,B29K,B29L

Abstract:
1. A method for forming a part from a composite material containing a resin that emits volatiles during processing, comprising the steps of: laying up the composite material on a rigid forming surface of a mold tool to form a composite workpiece, the tool maintaining dimensional tolerances and having a plurality of volatile-egress passages that are in fluid contact with an exhaust port, overlie substantially the entire surface of the workpiece, and-extend from the forming surface of the tool through the tool to allow volatiles emitted from the workpiece to vent from the tooling through the exhaust port; heating the workpiece to a temperature at which the composite material emits volatiles to cure the resin on the surface to form the part; removing the volatiles, while the resin is curing, through the passages and the exhaust port; removing the part from the tool; and after removing the part, cleaning the passages in the tool to remove resin that enters and blocks or obstructs the passages during removing the volatiles.