Patent ID: 8123515

Claim:
An apparatus for preparing a fiber-reinforced thermoset article having a variety of shapes, including both linear and non-linear shapes, the apparatus comprising: one or more sets of dies for enclosing a continuous material comprised of reinforcing fibers which are impregnated with a heat curable thermosetting resin composition; wherein one or more of said sets of dies is comprised of three types of die links connected together to form mating continuous loops of moving die links comprised of: a) shaping die links to grip, shape and draw fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) material into the apparatus; b) shearing die links to shear uncured FRP material to a desired length, and c) spacer die links to separate one manufactured article from another; drive mechanisms coupled with said set or sets of dies for independently selectively moving said set or sets of dies at selectable rates of speed; an energy source for heating at least a portion of said set or sets of dies to a temperature sufficiently high to cause said heat curable thermosetting resin to cure; and a control mechanism configured to determine the timing of the activation of the different components of the apparatus.