Patent ID: 8567467

Claim:
An apparatus for producing a composite structure comprising a resin-infused fabric stack by infusing at least one non-impregnated fabric member with a molten resin, the apparatus comprising: a tool having a tool surface, at least one mat member that conforms to the tool surface, and a caul member, the mat member comprising pins projecting from a surface thereof that is adapted to receive the non-impregnated fabric member and a source of the molten resin, the caul member comprising apertures therein that are complementary in size and location to the pins of the mat member to enable the pins to penetrate the apertures when the caul member is placed on the non-impregnated fabric member and the source of the molten resin when received on the mat member, the apertures of the caul member enabling the molten resin to flow around the pins of the mat member as the non-impregnated fabric member is infused with the molten resin to yield the resin-infused fabric stack and yield holes in the resin-infused fabric stack that have resin-rich walls molded in-situ around the pins of the mat member; and means for causing the source of the molten resin to melt by heating the tool surface, the mat member, and the caul member.