An automated mold preform system comprising: a lower preform tool having a preform surface ; a frame located above the lower preform tool ; a preform part having multiple layers of pre-impregnated material or a shot of molten material; a lower membrane extending across the frame member having an upper surface and bottom surface, the upper surface provides a loading area for the preform part that is placed on the upper surface and the bottom surface of the membrane engages the preform surface when the preform part is shaped; a vacuum box having at least one contact surface with at least one chamber connected to the contact surface for applying a suction source causing a vacuum in the at least one chamber or an air pressure source causing air flow and an increase in air pressure in the at least one chamber; an upper membrane extending across the at least one contact surface and having an upper surface facing the at least one contact surface and a bottom surface that selectively contacts the preform part , wherein said upper membrane moves between an inflated position, when the air pressure source is applied in the at least one chamber and a retracted position when the suction source is applied in the at least one chamber; a plurality of upper membrane apertures extending through the upper membrane between the upper surface and the bottom surface, such that applying the suction source or the air pressure source against the upper membrane also is applied through the apertures causing the suction source and the air pressure source to contact and act on the preform part ; a robot connected to the vacuum box to move the vacuum box into position relative to the lower preform tool in order to engage and move the preform part and manipulate the end of arm tooling system ; and a vacuum lid connected to the vacuum box creating a closed box environment characterized by a plurality of lower membrane apertures extending through the lower membrane between the upper surface and the bottom surface. a lower preform tool having a preform surface ; a frame located above the lower preform tool ; a preform part having multiple layers of pre-impregnated material or a shot of molten material; a lower membrane extending across the frame member having an upper surface and bottom surface, the upper surface provides a loading area for the preform part that is placed on the upper surface and the bottom surface of the membrane engages the preform surface when the preform part is shaped; a vacuum box having at least one contact surface with at least one chamber connected to the contact surface for applying a suction source causing a vacuum in the at least one chamber or an air pressure source causing air flow and an increase in air pressure in the at least one chamber; an upper membrane extending across the at least one contact surface and having an upper surface facing the at least one contact surface and a bottom surface that selectively contacts the preform part , wherein said upper membrane moves between an inflated position, when the air pressure source is applied in the at least one chamber and a retracted position when the suction source is applied in the at least one chamber; a plurality of upper membrane apertures extending through the upper membrane between the upper surface and the bottom surface, such that applying the suction source or the air pressure source against the upper membrane also is applied through the apertures causing the suction source and the air pressure source to contact and act on the preform part ; a robot connected to the vacuum box to move the vacuum box into position relative to the lower preform tool in order to engage and move the preform part and manipulate the end of arm tooling system ; and a vacuum lid connected to the vacuum box creating a closed box environment characterized by a plurality of lower membrane apertures extending through the lower membrane between the upper surface and the bottom surface. <EOS>