a press forms a long , thin laminated strip of plastic , metal and fiberglass . the uncured laminate will be laid up in a housing which has sidewalls and a base . a partition is placed over the laminate . the partition seals to sidewalls of the housing and is moveable relative to the housing . the partition divides the cavity of the housing into an upper section and a lower section . the lower section is evacuated . gas or fluid pressure is applied to the upper section . heat is applied to the housing to cure the laminate while the pressure is maintained . tension is applied longitudinally to the laminate during the process .