Patent ID: 7335012

Claim:
A mold tool for forming a reinforced matrix composite part for a gas turbine engine, comprising: a body comprising a first end, a second end and a body surface capable of receiving a first portion of a composite preform; a first endplate releasably secured to the first end of the body and having a substantially planar surface disposed perpendicularly to the body surface; a second endplate attached to the second end of the body and having a substantially planar surface perpendicular to the body surface; a first set of plates attached to a first surface of the first endplate comprising at least one first plate disposed adjacent to the body surface; a second set of plates attached to a first surface of the second endplate comprising at least one second plate adjacent to the body surface; the first plate and second plate being releasably secured and comprising a substantially planar first plate surface and a substantially planar second plate surface; the first plate and first endplate having a geometry that includes a first cavity bounded by the first plate and first endplate; the second plate and second endplate having a geometry that includes a second cavity bounded by the first plate and first endplate; the first and second cavities having a volume sufficient to receive a second portion of a composite preform; the second cavity being fluidly connected to the first cavity; and a vacuum source, the vacuum source being in fluid communication with the first cavity.