Method for Creating a Vacuum Setup for Producing a Fiber Composite Part, and Plunger Used in the Method

Abstract

A method for creating a vacuum setup for processing a semi-finished fiber composite into a cured fiber composite component is provided. The semi-finished fiber composite is positioned on a molding surface of a tool so that a non-planar surface of the semi-finished fiber composite faces away from the molding surface, covering the non-planar surface of the semi-finished fiber composite by applying an air-tight film and sealing the film with respect to the molding surface of the tool. Application of the film is performed using a plunger formed from a flexible material and having a plunger surface on which the film is retained.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A plunger, comprising:
 a flexible material;   a non-planar plunger surface provided for retaining a film that is used to cover a non-planar surface of a semi-finished fiber composite; and   a mechanism means for deforming the film retained thereon in a manner adapted to the non-planar plunger surface.   
     
     
         2 . The plunger according to  claim 1 , wherein the flexible material is a mechanically flexible material forming at least the non-planer plunger surface and having an area-specific weight of less than 100 kg/m2. 
     
     
         3 . The plunger according to  claim 2 , wherein the mechanically flexible material forming has an area-specific weight of less than 60 kg/m2. 
     
     
         4 . The plunger according to  claim 1 , wherein the flexible material is a mechanically flexible material forming at least the non-planer plunger surface and having a changeability of a plunger surface diameter by a factor of at least 1.1. 
     
     
         5 . The plunger according to  claim 4 , wherein the changeability of a plunger surface diameter is by a factor of at least 1.5.