A double vacuum bag molding assembly with improved void management and
laminate net shape control which provides a double vacuum environment for
use in fabricating composites from prepregs containing air and/or
volatiles such as reactive resin matrix composites or composites from
solvent containing prepregs with non-reactive resins matrices. By using
two vacuum environments during the curing process, a vacuum can be drawn
during a B-stage of a two-step cycle without placing the composite under
significant relative pressure. During the final cure stage, a significant
pressure can be applied by releasing the vacuum in one of the two
environments. Inner and outer bags are useful for creating the two vacuum
environments with a perforated tool intermediate the two. The composite
is placed intermediate a tool plate and a caul plate in the first
environment with the inner bag and tool plate defining the first
environment. The second environment is characterized by the outer bag
which is placed over the inner bag and the tool plate.