Patent ID: 8425705

Claim:
A method of manufacturing a blank made from thermoplastic composite material for a subsequent forming operation, comprising: a) enveloping a stack of fabrics composed of continuous fibers pre-impregnated with a thermoplastic resin with a smooth film, leaving at least one opening; b) arranging fixing blocks at a periphery of a board and placing the stack of fabrics onto the board so as to bring the enveloping film into contact with the fixing blocks; c) placing a compacting plate on top of the stack of fabrics enveloped by the film and placed onto the board; and d) applying a pressure and temperature cycle, by pressing on top of the compacting plate and by heating the stack so as to reach at least melting temperature of the thermoplastic resin while leaving the film infusible and smooth, and allowing the gas(es) present in the stack to escape through the opening and then through at least one emerging channel formed in the compacting plate and/or in the board and/or in the fixing blocks, wherein the stack is enveloped using a film including at least two parts arranged so that the lower one of the parts is arranged between the stack and the board while being extended along edges of the stack and folded over a zone of the stack, the other, upper one of the parts being slid below the flaps of the lower part.