Patent ID: 8337744

Claim:
A method for use in a vertically oriented molding apparatus, wherein the molding apparatus includes a molding region having a soft tool and a hard tool, wherein the hard tool is disposed on a first side of the soft tool, wherein the method comprises: disposing a reinforcement constituent on the first side of the soft tool between the soft tool and the hard tool wherein continuity of fiver is maintained between a supply of the reinforcement constituent fabric and the reinforcement constituent disposed on the first side of the soft tool; adding liquid, under atmospheric pressure, to a region on a second side of the soft tool until an uppermost level thereof reaches a first elevation; adding a liquid matrix constituent, under vacuum, to the first side of the soft tool until a flow-front thereof reaches the first elevation, wherein the liquid has a specific gravity that is substantially the same as a specific gravity of the liquid matrix constituent; and curing the liquid matrix constituent to form a workpiece, wherein a uniform compaction pressure is maintained against the reinforcement constituent and liquid matrix constituent at all elevations during curing.