Method and apparatus for controlling the geometry of a composite component

1. A method of controlling the geometry of a composite component, the method comprising applying pressure to the component with a pressure transmitter, and during said application of pressure:

heating the component;

measuring the position of the pressure transmitter during said heating step to produce a feedback signal; and

moving the pressure transmitter during said heating step in response to a change in the feedback signal and controlling said geometry of said composite component.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

engaging the component with a mould tool; and

measuring the relative position between the mould tool and the pressure transmitter to produce the feedback signal, wherein said moving step maintains a desired spacing between said mould tool and said pressure transmitter.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the feedback signal is produced by taking photographic images of the pressure transmitter from two or more different angles, and processing the images.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the processing step includes identifying images of one or more targets on the pressure transmitter.

5. The method of claim 4 further comprising applying the targets to the pressure transmitter.

6. The method of claim 1 comprising simultaneously applying pressure to the component with two or more pressure transmitters, and during said application of pressure:

measuring the position of each of said pressure transmitters during said heating step to produce corresponding feedback signals, each feedback signal associated with a respective pressure transmitter; and

moving said two or more pressure transmitters during said heating step in response to a change in their respective feedback signals.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising laying a vacuum bag onto the component, and evacuating one side of the vacuum bag.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the pressure transmitter is moved by heating the pressure transmitter.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the pressure transmitter is rotated in response to a change in the feedback signal.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the pressure transmitter is moved along a substantially straight path in response to a change in the feedback signal.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the component is a thermosetting component.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the component is a fibre-reinforced composite component.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein the component is an aircraft skin panel.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein the component comprises a stack of layers of reinforcement material.

15. The method of claim 1 further comprising injecting the component with a liquid matrix during an infusion phase.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the pressure transmitter is retracted during the infusion phase.