Method for manufacturing fiber reinforced article and apparatus

Abstract

A method of forming a fiber reinforced article comprising following steps:) providing a composite preform comprising of thermoplastic polymer matrix and reinforcing fibers, wherein the preform comprises an initial volume and initial fiber orientation,) loading the preform inside a radial molding apparatus comprising of at least three adjacent die segments next to each other forming a mold cavity in an initial position having an initial volume,) molding the preform by moving the die segments, which are in direct contact with each other during the initial position and movement and a compressed position, and which are perpendicular to a common longitudinal axis of the preform, wherein the initial volume of the mold cavity decreases and the die segments compress the preform to a form defined by the mold cavity in the compressed position having a final volume, which is smaller or equal to the initial volume of the preform,) opening the mold cavity, and) removing the obtained fiber reinforced article, which comprises a tailored fiber orientation, from the mold cavity, wherein the continuous reinforcing fibers follow to a surface contour of said article.