GB1432333A - Moulding cooling fan operating circuits for road vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

1432333 Vacuum moulding GROUP LOTUS CAR COS Ltd 2 July 1973 [30 March 1972 3 Nov 1972] 14946/72 and 50702/72 Heading B5A A method of moulding an article between male and female mould parts 1, 2 comprises introducing a measured quantity of moulding material 14 in liquid state into the female mould part 2 and drawing the male and female mould parts together by applied vacuum to squeeze the moulding material 14 between the mould parts and fill the mould cavity. The vacuum may be applied through one or more pipes 10 which may communicate with the mould cavity via a groove 7 in a peripheral flange 5 of the female mould part 2. The mould parts 1, 2 may be sealed against the atmosphere by a resilient ring 8, e.g. rubber, which may be attached to one of the skirts 4, 6 surrounding the mould parts 1, 2. The moulding material may be poured into the cavity through a tubular boss 11 which may be closed by a shouldered stopper 12. After moulding, the mould parts 1, 2 may be parted by pressure air or gas introduced through the pipes 10 via three-way valves 13. Reinforcement, e.g. glass fibre, and preformed inserts may be placed in the mould cavity prior to the introduction of the moulding material, the mouldings thus produced may comprise an insert sandwiched between two skins of moulding material. The latter may be a thermosetting resin. A gel coat may be initially applied to the female mould part 2. The male mould part 1 may be translucent and the mould parts may be formed of glass-fibre reinforced resin.