Apparatus and Process for Manufacturing Shaped Plastic Reinforced Composite Articles

摘要

A process for forming a shaped three dimensional article, comprising the steps of deforming an intermediate form (10), including a plurality of thermoplastic elongated members that are initially movable relative to each other, while displaceably clamping the intermediate form during the deforming in such a way that while a force is applied for deforming the intermediate form, the intermediate form is free to move within a predetermined limit; and optionally at least partially consolidating the thermoplastic elongated members of the intermediate form for forming a three dimensional article having a predetermined orientation of the elongated members. An apparatus including a press (32) for forming the shaped three-dimensional article is also disclosed.