Patent ID: 8262841

Claim:
A method for forming a bonded joint, comprising the following steps: (a) placing a first component on a support surface; (b) applying adhesive on at least one of a bonding surface of the first component and a bonding surface of a second component, wherein said adhesive applying step can be performed before or after step (a); (c) supporting the second component in a position above and separated by a gap from the first component with the adhesive therebetween; (d) placing a frame over the first and second components, the frame standing on the support surface; (e) placing flexible air-impervious material over the frame; (f) sealing the flexible air-impervious material to the support surface to enclose a space; (g) maintaining vacuum pressure within space enclosed by the flexible air-impervious material; (h) while vacuum pressure within space enclosed by the flexible air-impervious material is being maintained, mating the bonding surfaces of the first and second components; and (i) while vacuum pressure within space enclosed by the flexible air-impervious material is being maintained, pressing the first and second components together with the adhesive therebetween prior to a cure cycle.