The Boeing Company
Apparatus and method for manufacturing liquid molded composites using a discrete network of tool surface resin distribution grooves

Abstract:

A method of infusing liquid resin into a preform involves positioning a preform on a planar section of a tool surface and a trough section of the tool surface, where the planar section of the tool surface is positioned vertically above the trough section of the tool surface and with there being a plurality of grooves in the planar section of the tool surface and a bottom of the trough section of the tool surface. At least one of a fluid impervious sheet, a second tool and a vacuum bag is secured on the tool surface over the preform forming a sealed volume on the tool surface. A pressure differential and a flow of resin is supplied onto the tool surface and the liquid resin is infused into the preform by the pressure differential.