METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR LAMINATING, IMPREGNATING AND CURING CONTINUOUS TUBES

A method and apparatus for application to a pultrusion machine and adapted to produce continuous lengths of cured resin impregnated laminated tubing; characterized by dry forming lay-up of the laminiform followed by resin impregnation, the process and/or operation of the apparatus being dynamic and continuously operative with improved pre-heating of the composite laminiform for controlled accelerated curing. The said dry forming comprises the lay-up of at least one lamina and preferably a multiplicity of laminae which are rotatively displaced and folded onto and advanced along a stationary mandrel. The resin impregnation comprises internal pressure application thereof through the laminiform wall and purging all gases therefrom. The pre-heating is by means of a unique Radio Frequency grid that efficiently embraces the manifold supported laminiform, and the curing comprises the internal and external application of heat with the said internal heat being applied by fluidics compatible with said Radio Frequency pre-heating; and all to the end that a high rate of production is acquired, limited only by the temperature-time curing capability of the particular resin employed.