Patent ID: 8215945
Filing Date: 2012-07-10
Classification: B29C,B29L

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for forming a hollow FRP article by internal pressure molding, comprising: a vacuum chamber; a forming die positioned in said vacuum chamber; a vacuum-chamber opening/closing mechanism for opening and closing said vacuum chamber; a composite-body support device for supporting a composite body without making said composite body come into contact with said forming die in a state where said forming die is opened by said vacuum-chamber opening/closing mechanism, said composite body including an airtight internal-pressure holding tube and a FRP prepreg fitted on said airtight internal-pressure holding tube; an evacuation system for evacuating said vacuum chamber; an internal-pressure supplying device for applying pressure to an inside of said internal-pressure holding tube of said composite body which is supported by said composite-body support device; and a controller for actuating said vacuum-chamber opening/closing mechanism to clamp said forming die to thereby bring said forming die and said composite body into intimate contact with each other, and for heating said forming die with an application of pressure to said inside of said internal-pressure holding tube after said vacuum chamber is evacuated by said evacuation system.