DE102013214536A1 - Process for processing a component formed from a fiber-plastic composite - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for processing a component formed from a thermoplastic fiber-plastic composite, wherein the thermoplastic fiber-plastic composite has a plastic matrix embedding a reinforcing fiber, which becomes more deformable when heated with increasing temperature, the method comprising: a preparation step in which a fiber-plastic composite formed into a component is provided; a heating step in which the component is heated so that the plastic matrix becomes more deformable; and a processing step in which the component heated in the heating step is subjected to processing.

Description

The invention relates to a method for processing a component formed from a fiber-plastic composite and a related tool.

Fiber-plastic composites in which a reinforcing fiber is embedded in a plastic matrix are well known in the art. Such fiber-plastic composites may be either thermosetting or thermoplastic fiber-plastic composites.

The main difference here is that thermosetting fiber-plastic composites are no longer deformable after curing of the plastic matrix, whereas in thermoplastic fiber-plastic composites deform the plastic matrix in a certain elevated temperature range and thus the thermoplastic fiber-plastic composite itself after curing by heating again can be converted into a deformable state. The process is reversible in other words.

Such thermoplastic fiber-plastic composites are used for example in the automotive industry in the form of so-called organic sheets application. Organo sheets are usually present as plate-shaped semi-finished products and are subjected to a forming process for the production of certain components. To carry out the forming process, the organic sheet is heated in a first step such that the plastic matrix is in a deformable state, and then inserted into a press for forming or forming the desired component.

After forming and cooling of the resulting component, the plastic matrix is cured and the component can be further processed.

If the component has to meet optical requirements, elaborate preparatory work subsequent to the forming is necessary so that the component can be painted or used for fiber optic optical applications.

The reason for this is that on the one hand the surface of the formed and consolidated component is not suitable for immediate painting and on the other hand the injection molding of the component to form functional elements, such as connecting or reinforcing elements, undesirable marks of the reinforcing fibers or the functional elements on the im Viewing area lying surface can lead.

The undesired markings can be counteracted by the fact that the component is back-injected after consolidation or cooling. However, due to the temperature difference between the component and the heated plastic matrix used for the back molding, this leads to a reduced bond strength between the component and the functional element formed by the injection molding.

In view of this, it is an object of the invention to provide a machining method for machining a formed from a fiber-plastic composite component and a related tool through which a formed from a fiber-plastic composite component with improved properties, in particular with regard to Surface quality and stability / strength properties, can be obtained.

This object is achieved by a method according to claim 1 and a tool according to claim 9.

Further preferred embodiments are subject of the dependent claims.

The inventive method is provided for processing a formed from a thermoplastic fiber-plastic composite component, wherein the thermoplastic fiber-plastic composite has a reinforcing fiber embedding / enclosing thermoplastic resin matrix which becomes softer or softer when heated with increasing temperature. According to the invention, the method comprises the following steps:
a preparation step in which the fiber-plastic composite formed into the component is provided;
a heating step in which the component is heated so that the thermoplastic resin matrix becomes more deformable; and
a processing step in which the component heated in the heating step is subjected to machining.

The inventive method can be used for components made of a variety of thermoplastic fiber-plastic composites application.

Depending on the intended use of the component, the thermoplastic fiber-plastic composite may comprise various types of reinforcing fibers, for example inorganic reinforcing fibers (basalt, boron, glass, ceramic and silica fibers), metallic reinforcing fibers (steel, aluminum, Copper, generally metal and metal alloy fibers), organic reinforcing fibers (aramid, carbon, polyester, nylon, polyethylene and plexiglass fibers) and natural fibers (wood and flax fibers).

In the component or fiber-plastic composite, the reinforcing fibers can be present in different lengths, whereby different stiffness and strength properties can be achieved. When using continuous fibers, ie reinforcing fibers which pass completely through the thermoplastic fiber-plastic composite, the highest stiffness or strength values are achieved. Such continuous fibers having fiber-plastic composites are often produced as plate-shaped semi-finished products and commonly referred to as organo sheets.

The aforementioned reinforcing fibers may have different structures within the component or thermoplastic fiber-plastic composite. For example, the continuous fibers may be woven into fabrics or may be in the form of fabrics in which the continuous fibers are arranged in parallel. Other types of reinforcing fiber structures include knits, braids, mats and nonwovens.

Depending on which reinforcing fiber structure is used, the thermoplastic fiber-plastic composite or component obtains either isotropic or anisotropic stiffness properties.

With regard to the plastic matrix used, in which the reinforcing fiber is embedded, various types of thermoplastic matrices or thermoplastics can be used. Examples include acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), polyamides (PA), polylactate (PLA), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS ), Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) and polyvinylchloride (PVC).

The thermoplastic fiber-plastic composite or the thermoplastic polymer matrix generally becomes more deformable or softer when heated with increasing temperature, the thermoplastic matrix generally undergoing different states of aggregation when heated with increasing temperature.

Before heating or in the cooled state, d. H. at normal ambient temperature (≈24 ° C), the thermoplastic resin matrix is in a solid state in which, depending on the thermoplastic matrix used, these may be rigid or even flexible.

If the thermoplastic fiber-plastic composite or the thermoplastic resin matrix is heated, it passes through a thermoelastic region with increasing temperature, in which the thermoplastic resin matrix has elastic properties (or increased elastic properties).

Upon further heating and increasing the temperature, the thermoplastic matrix changes to a thermoplastic state in which the thermoplastic matrix is plastically deformable.

As a result of further heating and temperature increase, the thermoplastic polymer matrix will start to liquefy at a certain temperature until finally a material decomposition occurs above a certain limit temperature.

From which temperatures the thermoplastic resin matrix assumes the aforementioned states of aggregation or at which temperature the thermoplastic resin matrix has to be heated in order to achieve a corresponding state of aggregation depends on the material-specific composition of the thermoplastic matrix used.

In the preparation step according to the invention, a forming step is preferably carried out, in which a thermoplastic fiber-plastic composite to be formed, which is preferably present as a continuous fibers having plate-shaped thermoplastic fiber-plastic composite - so-called organo sheet - is heated and subjected to a forming. To carry out this transformation, the thermoplastic resin matrix is heated so that it is in the thermoelastic or thermoplastic state, and then the entire fiber-plastic composite is reshaped so that the component is obtained with a certain desired shape.

The deformation can be carried out for example with a pressing tool.

Alternatively, in the preparation step according to the invention, a thermoplastic fiber-plastic composite already formed into the component can be provided.

The component is preferably present after the preparation step in a partially cooled or completely cooled state.

In the subsequent heating step according to the invention, the at least partially cooled component is again heated in such a way that the plastic matrix becomes more deformable or softer and is in the thermoplastic state, whereby after this heating step a processing step follows in which the heated component is subjected to further processing is subjected.

The heating step according to the invention makes it possible to achieve surfaces of the thermoplastic fiber-plastic composite or of the component which meet the requirements for subsequent coating or fiber optics. By fiber optic it is to be understood that the thermoplastic matrix used is transparent and thus the reinforcing fiber is visible. Such a fiber optic is often used in motorsport to achieve a sporty look.

For example, in the processing step, the surface of the heated component may be reshaped to achieve a desired surface quality, or the component may be processed so that the particular quality surface (s) are not compromised.

At present, in the automotive industry, no components that form the "outer skin" of a vehicle, such as fenders, trunk lids, hoods, front end and back end modules, and the like, are formed from thermoplastic fiber-plastic composites. The inventive method allows in particular the use of thermoplastic fiber-plastic composites for such components.

In the heating step, the reshaped thermoplastic fiber-plastic composite or component can be heated / heated stepwise or continuously.

As a result of the additional heating step, components are also obtained which have low internal stresses and good bond strengths with, for example, molded-on functional elements, such as, for example. B. connecting or reinforcing elements have.

According to the invention, only a first side or second side of the thermoplastic fiber-plastic composite or of the component can be heated in the heating step.

The abovementioned first side is preferably the side which, when the intended use of the component obtained after the processing step is within the field of vision or which is not obscured.

The second side preferably forms the side facing away from the first side or the side on which the component heated in the heating step is back-injected in the processing step, for example.

The thermoplastic polymer matrix of the fiber-plastic composite or the component preferably already has a thermoplastic excess resin matrix, which is heated in the heating step, prior to the heating step on the first side. The thermoplastic excess plastic matrix can be formed, for example, by applying the thermoplastic excess plastic matrix in the form of a film to the unshaped fiber-plastic composite and bonding it to the unshaped fiber-plastic composite by heating. Subsequently, the fiber-plastic composite is formed into the component.

In general terms, the thermoplastic polymer matrix of the fiber-plastic composite or of the component can already be configured before the heating step in such a way that it has a portion forming the excess plastic matrix and a portion embedding the reinforcing fibers.

In the processing step, the excess plastic matrix is then processed such that a surface of the component formed by the excess plastic matrix is reshaped.

The aforementioned excess plastic matrix is characterized by the fact that the fiber-plastic composite, viewed in cross section, has an additional amount of thermoplastic polymer matrix on the first side, which would not be necessary for reasons of rigidity and strength, for example. Ie. the reinforcing fibers are located at a certain distance from the surface or are located at a certain depth within the plastic matrix from the first side. The distance or the depth are preferably in ranges of 20 mm-0.5 mm, 20 mm-0.1 mm, 15 mm-0.5 mm, 15 mm-0.1 mm, 14 mm-0.5 mm , 14mm-0.1mm, 13mm-0.5mm, 13mm-0.1mm, 12mm-0.5mm, 12mm-0.1mm, 11mm-0.5mm, 11mm -0.1 mm, 10 mm-0.5 mm, 10 mm-0.1 mm, 9 mm-0.5 mm, 9 mm-0.1 mm, 8 mm-0.5 mm, 8 mm-0 , 1 mm, 7 mm-0.5 mm, 7 mm-0.1 mm, 6 mm-0.5 mm, 6 mm-0.1 mm, 5 mm-0.5 mm, 5 mm-0.1 mm, 4 mm-0.5 mm, 4 mm-0.1 mm, 3 mm-0.5 mm, 3 mm-0.1 mm, 2 mm-0.5 mm, 2 mm-0.1 mm, 1 mm-0.5 mm or 1 mm-0.1 mm (unit: millimeters). In terms of material, the plastic matrix can be designed so that the proportion corresponding to the excess plastic matrix is formed from a thermoplastic which is identical or different from the thermoplastic of the remaining portion of the plastic matrix.

By heating the component in the heating step, the excess plastic matrix is in the thermoplastic state and may, for example, be reshaped in a forming tool, thereby increasing the pressure through the excess plastic matrix formed surface receives a surface quality required for certain applications.

The fact that the excess plastic matrix can be processed in the tool, for example, results in a component having a necessary surface quality being obtained as a tool.

For carrying out the processing step or for processing the excess plastic matrix, preferably only the first side of the component can be heated in the heating step.

Furthermore, in the processing step, the surface of the component or the thermoplastic excess plastic matrix can be reshaped by embossing the excess plastic matrix. By this type of processing, the excess plastic matrix can also be reduced or displaced and, as a result, a component with a certain thickness can be obtained.

Preferably, however, it is only in the processing step that an excess plastic matrix can be applied to the first side of the component to form a surface lying in the visible area. Since the component is heated, on the one hand a good bond strength between the applied excess plastic matrix and the component or its thermoplastic matrix and on the other hand a good surface quality is achieved.

The excess plastic matrix may be materially identical or different in material from the plastic matrix embedding / enclosing the reinforcing fibers, i. E. H. the excess plastic matrix may be an identical or different thermoplastic. Since the excess plastic matrix is preferably applied only on the first side of the component in the processing step, in this case, the excess plastic matrix may materially also be a duroplastic.

As a result of the additional application of the excess plastic matrix on the first side of the component in the processing step, various thermoplastic fiber-plastic composites / components available on the market can preferably be used for the method according to the invention since the excess plastic matrix does not appear until the processing step following the heating step the heated component is applied.

The application of the excess is preferably carried out by injection molding / embossing of the excess plastic matrix of the component located in the tool intended for forming.

Alternatively, preferably only the second side of the component is heated in the heating step, wherein in the processing step on the second side, functional elements are preferably connected or formed in a form-fitting manner.

If the component to be machined is a very thin-walled material on which no excess plastic matrix can / should be formed, the second side is preferably heated in the heating step, and in the second-step processing step functional elements, such as e.g. B. connecting or reinforcing elements formed. By heating the second side before machining, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of marks on the first side of the functional elements formed on the second side. In that regard, a surface quality remains on the first page, which is present for example after forming, obtained. However, it is also possible in this way to work on a component which has an excess plastic matrix on the first side.

After the various operations discussed above, the component may be cooled, thereby consolidating the thermoplastic matrix and, if present, the excess plastic matrix or transitioning to their solid state.

The above-explained heating in the heating step according to the invention and the subsequent cooling of the component after the processing step can be carried out variothermally. Ie. the heating of the component or of the first and / or second side of the component and the cooling can be controlled such that the temperature of the thermoplastic resin matrix follows a certain desired temperature curve (for example, the temperature of the plastic matrix over time).

The invention likewise relates to a tool for carrying out one of the methods presented above, wherein the tool comprises a pressing unit with a punch and a pressing die for carrying out a deformation of a thermoplastic fiber-plastic composite, and a heating unit for heating the thermoplastic fiber-plastic composite / Component has.

The punch and the press die preferably define a cavity in which the fiber-plastic composite is received after the deformation or the component and is heated by the heating unit.

By the heating unit, for example, the fiber-plastic composite for a in the Preparing step to be performed forming, and the component to be heated in the heating step.

The heating unit preferably has one or more radiator (s) for heating the first and / or second side of the thermoplastic fiber-plastic composite or the component.

The radiators are preferably arranged to heat a heating surface of the die and / or a die surface of the die to be respectively abutted against the respective side to be heated. The radiators can preferably be controlled such that the component accommodated in the cavity or its thermoplastic polymer matrix is heated or heated in the variothermic manner explained above. In order to influence the cooling which takes place after processing, the tool can have corresponding cooling devices.

As explained in the foregoing, by the method according to the invention and the corresponding tool, components with surface qualities necessary for certain applications can be obtained.

For example, in the case of components which are installed on vehicles in the field of vision, this means that the components obtained have such a surface roughness that they can be painted without further treatment of the surface or mounted immediately in the case of fiber optic optical applications.

The resulting components are characterized not only by the resulting surface roughness but also the fact that they no ripples by the reinforcing fibers used or decals of the molded functional elements, such. B. connecting or reinforcing elements have.

By means of the method or tool according to the invention, for example, components are obtained which have such surface qualities that the components show no ripples or marks in optical test methods, such as in the high-line course.

In the following, preferred embodiments of a method and tool according to the invention are explained with reference to the attached drawings.

1 shows a first embodiment of the method and tool according to the invention, in which an excess plastic matrix formed on the reshaped fiber-plastic composite is processed according to the invention to form a visible surface;

2 shows a second embodiment of the method and tool according to the invention, in which an excess plastic matrix is applied to a reshaped fiber-plastic composite for forming the visible surface; and

3 shows a third embodiment of the method and tool according to the invention, in which a reshaped fiber-plastic composite is processed so that the processing of a visual surface of the reshaped fiber-plastic composite forming surface is not affected.

The statements made above in particular with regard to the configuration of the plastic matrix, excess plastic matrix, reinforcing fibers, the individual method steps and the individual tool components apply correspondingly to the following embodiments.

(first embodiment)

In 1 a first embodiment of the method and tool according to the invention is shown.

The first, second and third steps (1st to 3rd steps) shown in this figure together correspond to a preparation step according to the invention.

In the first step (1st step), a fiber-plastic composite OB, which has an endless fiber as a reinforcing fiber, ie a so-called organic sheet, in a provided for a forming step tool 120 inserted. The organic sheet OB shown has the form of a plate-shaped semifinished product, wherein the organo-sheet OB in the in 1 surface area shown extending XY plane. In the 1 Y axis shown is perpendicular to the plane of the drawing.

The organic sheet OB shown is preferably a thermoplastic fiber-plastic composite in which the continuous fibers are transformed into a thermoplastic polymer matrix 113 embedded / enclosed. The thermoplastic matrix 113 passes through when heated or heating a thermoelastic region in which the plastic matrix 113 is elastically deformable, and from a certain temperature assumes a thermoplastic state in which the plastic matrix 113 is plastically deformable.

In the in 1 As shown in the first step, the organic sheet OB is heated so that it is in the thermoelastic or thermoplastic state.

The thermoplastic matrix 113 In this first preferred embodiment, one comprises an excess plastic matrix 115 forming portion and another portion embedding the continuous filament. The excess plastic matrix 115 is on a first page 114 and can materially to the further the endless fibers embedding portion of the plastic matrix 113 be identical or different.

As already mentioned before, the organic sheet OB is in the in 1 shown heated first in that it is in the thermoelastic or thermoplastic state and in the provided for the forming step (2nd step) open tool 120 is inserted.

By closing the tool 120 the forming step (2nd step) is performed. As can be seen, the tool comprises 120 for the forming a stamp 121 and a corresponding press die 122 interacting by closing the tool 120 the organic sheet OB to a component 110 reshape and the component 110 in a fixed cavity 124 lock in. During forming, the plastic matrix becomes 113 in this embodiment, the excess plastic matrix 115 forming portion and the other the continuous fibers embedding portion comprises, elastically or plastically deformed. Along with this, they get into the plastic matrix 113 embedded reinforcing fibers consequently also a course corresponding to the transformation. By this second step or the forming step is a component 110 obtained with a desired shape.

The first page 114 of the organic sheet OB intended excess plastic matrix 115 forms a surface 111 from, the intended use of the final component 110 represents a visible surface (hereinafter called the visible surface).

In the next in 1 Third step shown (3rd step) can still preferably on a second side 112 or their surface, ie on the to the visible surface 111 opposite side of the component 110 , Functional elements, such. B. connecting or reinforcing elements are formed. The functional elements are in the in 1 shown third step schematically with the reference numeral 116 designated.

For the training of functional elements 116 includes the press stamp 121 of the tool 120 corresponding recesses 123 in the in 1 shown third step to form the functional elements 116 be filled. The functional elements 116 may preferably be formed by thermoplastics.

The tool 120 is in the in 1 shown third step still closed, causing the component 110 inside the cavity 124 is kept in shape. However, since the organo-sheet OB after the first step in which it heats up in the tool 120 is inserted, no longer actively heated, the organo sheet or the component cools 110 between the first and third steps, whereby the thermoplastic resin matrix 113 in this embodiment, the excess plastic matrix 115 comprises and hardens, consolidates or becomes solid.

The functional elements are preferred 116 in the third step, however, formed in a state or the component 110 behind injected, in which it is still in a heated state. This ensures that a good bond strength between the functional elements 116 and the component 110 is achieved. However, in this case there is a risk that on the visible surface 111 of the still heated component 110 Signs of the functional elements arise.

In order to prevent this, a heating step according to the invention is carried out as a fourth step.

So that the visual surface 111 A quality which is sufficient and necessary for a subsequent finish or for fiber optic optical applications is specified in the 1 shown heating step (4th step) the component 110 over a heating unit 125 , which has a Heizradiator in this embodiment, reheated. The heating unit 125 is so inside the press die 122 arranged that they have a die surface on which the component 110 with the visible surface 111 rests on or the the visual surface 111 touches, heats and heats up. Due to this heating, the excess plastic matrix goes 115 forming portion of the thermoplastic resin matrix 113 in the thermoplastic state in which it is plastically deformable. In other words, the surplus plastic matrix becomes 115 deformable or softer.

The heating step is followed by a processing step as the fifth step, in which the excess plastic matrix 115 to achieve a desired quality of the visible surface 111 is processed.

In the thermoplastic resin state of the excess plastic matrix achieved in the heating step 115 will be in the in 1 shown processing step (5th step) the tool 120 closed to carry out an embossing stroke and thereby the volume of the cavity 124 reduced. This will make the viewing surface 111 by plastically deforming the excess plastic matrix 115 newly formed. In other words, the surplus plastic matrix becomes 115 plastically reshaped, reducing the visible surface 111 gets the necessary quality.

As in the in 1 As shown in the processing step (step 5), during the plastic deformation of the excess plastic matrix 115 the displaced material portions of the excess plastic matrix 115 displaced laterally in the X direction or negative X direction. Overall, this can also the strength (dimensions in the Z direction) of the final component obtained 110 be varied.

After the in 1 shown processing step (5th step) is the component 110 completely cooled or cooled so far that the plastic matrix 113 in this embodiment, the excess plastic matrix 115 forming portion and the other the continuous fiber embedding portion comprises, is in its solid state.

The tool 120 can then be opened and the finished component removed. This is in the in 1 shown sixth step (6th step).

(second embodiment)

In 2 a second embodiment of the method and tool according to the invention is shown.

In this preferred second embodiment, the first and second steps shown together form a preparation step according to the invention.

In the in 2 shown first step (1st step) is in the open tool 220 an organic sheet OB inserted. The organo-sheet OB is designed as a plate-like semi-finished product, as in the first embodiment. The coordinate system of 2 is out to that 1 identical, ie the organic sheet OB extends in area in the XY plane.

The organic sheet is in a heated state, with the corresponding plastic matrix 213 is in the thermoelastic or thermoplastic deformable state.

In this second preferred embodiment, the organic sheet OB at this time comprises no excess plastic matrix.

As in 2 is shown in a forming step (2nd step) the tool 220 closed and that in the tool 220 inserted organic sheet OB to a component 210 reshaped. For forming, the tool includes 220 again a punch 221 and a press die 222 that interact when closing the tool 220 reshape the organic sheet OB and the resulting component 210 in a cavity 224 lock in.

In the in 2 shown second preferred embodiment of the method or tool according to the invention forms the die 221 facing side 214 of the component 210 the first page, which lies within the field of vision when the final component is used as intended.

So on this first page 214 a surface, ie a visible surface 211 If sufficient quality is obtained for subsequent painting or fiber optic application, then a heating step according to the invention follows. In the in 2 shown heating step (3rd step) becomes this first page 214 again via a heating unit 225 heated so that the continuous fibers embedding thermoplastic resin matrix 213 is in the thermoelastic or thermoplastic state. The heating unit 225 includes in this second embodiment, two radiators, in the press die 221 the first page 214 are integrated opposite and the first page 214 heat. In this embodiment, therefore, by the radiators, a ram surface, which is the first side 214 of the component 210 touched, heated and heated, which, as mentioned, the first page 214 or the plastic matrix 213 of the component 210 is heated.

The subsequent 4th and 5th steps together form a processing step in this embodiment.

The tool 220 will be in the in 2 shown fourth step (4th step) such that between press punches 221 and on the press die 222 remaining component 210 a free space is created and the cavity 224 is increased in volume. In the free space is a surplus plastic matrix 215 injected or the space with the excess plastic matrix 215 flooded. For example, this step is a thin-wall injection molding. For this purpose, the introduced excess plastic matrix may be in the thermoplastic or liquid state.

In a subsequent in 2 The embossing step shown (step 5) becomes the tool 220 closed so that the introduced, heated excess plastic matrix 215 on the first page 214 of organic sheet 210 is distributed in a desired manner. This embossing step is preferred by means of the tool 220 carried out. This gives the through the excess plastic matrix 215 formed visual surface 211 a surface quality required for subsequent painting or fiber optic applications.

After a certain time necessary for the cooling of the component, the tool can 220 opened and the finished component are removed (6th step).

Third Embodiment

A third preferred embodiment of the method and tool according to the invention shows 3 ,

The first two steps shown in this figure (1st and 2nd step) correspond to a preparation step according to the invention, wherein in the first step (1st step) again an organic sheet into a forming tool 320 is inserted.

In this third preferred embodiment, the organo sheet has already become a component in advance 310 formed with a desired shape. On a first page 314 of the component 310 is a surplus plastic matrix 315 formed, the intended use of the component lying in the field of view surface 311 (Visible surface). The excess plastic matrix 315 is merely a preferred feature in this embodiment. The component 310 can in this embodiment also without additional excess plastic matrix 315 be designed.

The visual surface 311 of the component 310 already has a surface quality necessary for a particular application.

In the second step (2nd step) shown, the tool becomes 320 so closed that a punch 321 and a press die 322 the component 310 in between in a cavity 324 lock in.

According to the invention, then followed by a heating step, in which the enclosed component 310 over a heating unit shown 325 is heated. In this case, a second page 312 of the component 310 over the heating unit 325 which, as in the second embodiment, comprises two radiators, heated in such a way that the thermoplastic polymer matrix 313 in which the continuous fibers are embedded is in their thermoelastic or thermoplastic state. The second page 312 corresponds to the visible surface 311 remote. In this embodiment, therefore, by the radiators, a ram surface, which is the second side 314 of the component 310 touches heated and heated, causing the second side or the plastic matrix 313 of the component 310 is heated.

Then, as in a processing step (4th step) of 3 shown on the second page 312 functional elements 316 educated. This can be done as in the first embodiment. Because the second page 312 of the component 310 in the heating step, a good bond strength between the functional elements becomes 316 and the component 310 reached. At the same time is due to the heating of the component in the in 3 shown third step, ie by the exclusive heating of the second side 312 of the component, the surface forming the visible surface 311 on the first page 314 not impaired. In other words, the surface quality of the component 310 remains.

In all the preceding embodiments, according to the invention, the heating step is carried out and, after machining, the component is cooled, whereby the plastic matrix changes into its solid state. The heating and cooling of the component or the respective plastic matrix or excess plastic matrix can be carried out variothermally. Ie. the heating unit and its radiators can be controlled so that the temperature of the plastic matrix or excess plastic matrix follows a certain temperature curve during heating and / or cooling. To more strongly influence the cooling of the component, the tools described may additionally have corresponding cooling devices.

Claims (10)

Method for processing a component formed from a thermoplastic fiber-plastic composite (OB) ( 110 ), wherein the thermoplastic fiber-plastic composite (OB) comprises a plastic matrix embedding a reinforcing fiber ( 113 ), which becomes more deformable when heated with increasing temperature, the method comprising: a preparation step in which the to the component ( 110 ) formed fiber-plastic composite (OB) is provided; a heating step in which the component ( 110 ) is heated so that the plastic matrix ( 113 ) becomes more deformable; and a processing step in which the component heated in the heating step ( 110 ) is subjected to a processing. Method according to claim 1, wherein in the preparatory step a forming step is carried out in which a fiber-plastic composite (OB) to be formed is heated and the heated fiber-plastic composite (OB) to the component ( 110 ) is transformed. Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein in the heating step a first side ( 114 ) or second page ( 112 ) of the component ( 110 ) is heated. Method according to claim 3, wherein the plastic matrix ( 113 ) on the first page ( 114 ) a thermoplastic excess plastic matrix ( 115 ) which is heated in the heating step and in the processing step the excess plastic matrix ( 115 ) is processed such that one through the excess plastic matrix ( 115 ) formed surface of the component ( 110 ) is reshaped. Method according to claim 4, wherein in the processing step the surface of the component ( 110 ) by embossing the excess plastic matrix ( 115 ) is reshaped. Method according to claim 2 or 3, wherein in the heating step the first side ( 114 ) of the component ( 110 ) and in the processing step an excess plastic matrix ( 215 ) on the first side of the component ( 110 ) is applied to form a surface. Process according to claim 6, wherein the application of the excess plastic matrix ( 215 ) by embossing the excess plastic matrix ( 215 ) he follows. Method according to claim 3, wherein in the heating step the second side ( 112 ) of the component is heated and in the processing step on the second side ( 112 ) Elements ( 116 ) be tethered or trained. Tool ( 120 ) for carrying out a method according to one of the preceding claims 2 to 8, which comprises: a pressing unit with a punch ( 121 ) and a press die ( 122 ) for performing the reforming step; and a heating unit ( 124 ) for heating the thermoplastic fiber-plastic composite before the forming step and / or the component ( 110 ) before the heating step. Tool according to claim 9, wherein the heating unit ( 124 ) has one or more radiator (s) for heating the first or second side of the thermoplastic fiber-plastic composite (OB).

Images