HDF Process The Hot Drape Forming process
Flat carbon fibre prepreg ready for forming.	Close up of carbon fibre prepreg plys.
HDF 1 Hot Drape Former.	HDF 1 Vacuum Bed with integral pump.
Carbon fibre prepreg part is loaded onto the tooling.	Release film is used to prevent the prepreg sticking to the tooling and membrane.
Inexpensive sheet steel tooling can be used for simple parts.	HDF 1 during automated running.
The machines automatically ramp up to the forming temperature whilst ensuring good heat distribution.  During the heat up phase no vacuum is used.	Once the part has reached the correct forming temperature, vacuum is automatically applied to form the part.
Formed angle.	Formed channel.
Formed channel.	Inside formed channel.