Patent ID: 7676298

Claim:
A method of surface re-profiling of the surface of a polymeric composite component comprising a formable surface with a region to be re-profiled to a predetermined local height with an accuracy of +/−200 microns, comprising the steps of: a) locating the polymeric composite component with a formable surface in a fixed position on a supporting fixture during re-profiling, the thickness of composite component comprising the formable surface being greater than a predetermined final thickness in the region to be re-profiled; b) moving a heatable forming tool into position into contact with the formable surface of the composite component with the aid of location or measurement sensors, heating the formable surface of the composite component during contact with the forming tool and causing the formable surface of the component to flow under the tool and creating a defined local thickness or profile of the component under the forming tool as the tool moves across the region to be re-profiled on the formable surface; and c) moving the forming tool with the use of location or measurement sensors along the region of the component to be re-profiled, while maintaining the forming tool at a predetermined height profile or while leaving the re-profiled component with a predetermined thickness profile, to form a re-profiled surface.