CFRP molding methods have evolved in response to required performance, cost, and production volume, and various carbon‑fiber base materials and resins have been developed to suit each process. From options such as autoclave molding, press molding, filament winding, sheet winding, pultrusion, and RTM molding, it is essential to choose the method that best matches the required shape, quality level, and production quantity.
Each molding method has its own characteristics. For example, although autoclave molding is often perceived as costly on a per‑part basis, it can actually offer cost advantages in high‑mix, low‑volume production. Because the process allows the carbon fibers to retain their full fiber length, it provides excellent mechanical properties and enables the molding of complex three‑dimensional shapes. This, in turn, makes it possible to integrate multiple components into a single part, reducing assembly labor. Therefore, cost should not be evaluated solely on a per‑part basis but rather from the perspective of total cost.