DE102016120008A1 - Method and plant for producing a blank from textile semi-finished products - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for producing a blank from at least one textile semifinished product with introduction of the at least one textile semi-finished product into a cutting tool, and cutting the at least one semi-finished textile product introduced into the cutting tool by means of a first cutting device according to a predetermined blank geometry of the blank in order to obtain from the at least one textile blank to produce the blank, characterized by gripping the blank and lifting the blank against a waste - or vice versa - by means of a gripping device, so that in cross section between the blank and the waste due to the lifting creates a gap, wherein blank and waste together the at least one forming semi-finished textile products, and passing at least one cutting blade of a second cutting device through the resulting gap between the blank and the waste.

Description

The invention relates to a method for producing a blank from at least one textile semifinished product, wherein the blank is produced by means of a cutting device from the sheet-like semi-finished textile product. The invention also relates to a system for producing such a blank from at least one textile semifinished product.

When producing a fiber composite component from a fiber composite material, a blank is first produced from the semifinished fiber product (as a semi-finished textile product) by cutting the textile semifinished product according to a blank geometry by means of a cutting blade along the outer boundary of the blank geometry , By cutting the semifinished fiber product, the semifinished fiber product is usually separated into a blank from which the fiber composite component is produced, and into a waste which usually can not be reused in the further process chain.

When dry fiber semifinished products are used, the blank is then infused with a matrix material of the fiber composite material and then cured, resulting in an integral unit of matrix material and fiber material.

In classical process chains, the semifinished fiber product is placed on a cutting table, for example, so that the semifinished fiber product contacts the cutting surface in a planar manner on one side. With a cutting knife, the semifinished fiber product is then cut to size on the cutting table according to the predetermined cutting geometry, so that a waste also remains in addition to the blank. Subsequently, the blank is removed from the cutting table and the further manufacturing process (infusing the matrix material, annealing of the component, producing the fiber composite component) supplied.

In the case of a completely automated process chain, it must be ensured that the blank has been completely separated from the waste, so that the blank can be automatically removed from the cutting table, for example by means of a gripping device. However, depending on the geometry of the blank in the present fiber orientation, there is the occasional problem that when cut, some fibers or knit threads which hold a blanket together have not been severed. If a blank is now automatically lifted by means of a gripping device and collected by the cutting table, due to the untrimmed fibers and knitting threads, a part of the cut will hang on the lifted blank, so that the automated process chain must be interrupted and the non-severed fibers manually or manually with a pair of scissors must be severed.

For this reason, it is common in the practice that the blanks are collected by employees by hand from the cutting table and not severed threads / fibers are severed with a pair of scissors.

From the DE 10 2007 061 427 B4 For example, there is known a method of severing fibers in incompletely severed blanks by energizing the edge area between the blank and the blanks and by heating the non-severed fibers due to electrical resistance resulting in burning of the fibers and severing of the untrimmed fibers , However, this method works only with electrically conductive carbon fibers, so that the process is not feasible for non-conductive fiber layers. Additionally, with thermally sensitive material combinations, fiber severing using electrical resistance heaters can cause heat damage that can lead to component scrap. Furthermore, carbon fiber scrims are often sewn together with non-conductive knitting threads, so that such stitched scrims or even preforms of several semi-finished products can not be severed reliably with this method.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved method and an improved system with which a blank can be completely and reliably separated from the waste.

The object is achieved by the method according to claim 1 and the system according to claim 9 according to the invention.

According to claim 1, a method for producing a blank from at least one textile semifinished product is specified, wherein first the at least one semi-finished textile product is introduced into a cutting tool. A cutting tool can be, for example, a flat, mostly planar cutting table on which the textile semifinished product is deposited. But a cutting tool can also be a molding tool on which a Faserpreform from one or more semi-finished textile products, such as semi-finished fiber products, was produced, the Faserpreform should be trimmed after production endkontur. A cutting tool in the context of the present invention is thus a tool with which a semi-finished textile product, in particular a semi-finished fiber product for producing a fiber composite component, cut using a cutting blade and thus a blank can be produced.

After introduction of the at least one textile semifinished product into the cutting tool, the at least one textile semifinished product introduced into the cutting tool is then cut by means of a first cutting device according to the present blank geometry of the blank in order to produce the blank from the textile semifinished product. In this case, a plurality of blank elements can be cut out of the textile semifinished product, for example of different geometry, in order to minimize the waste.

The first cutting device may be, for example, a cutting portal, which has a moving machine on which a cutting blade is arranged to cut a laid down on a cutting table semi-finished fiber accordingly and produce the blank.

According to the invention, it is now provided that after cutting the textile semifinished product by means of the first cutting device, the blank is gripped by a gripping device and raised relative to the waste, so as to spatially separate the blank from the waste. Of course, it is also part of the invention that the waste is gripped by the gripping device and raised over the blank to spatially separate the blank from the waste. By raising the blank or just the waste a gap is generated in cross-section with respect to the textile semifinished product between the blank and the waste, which must be only a few centimeters for the success of the teaching of the present invention. Preferably, the gap between the scrap may be less than 5 cm, advantageously less than 3 cm and most preferably less than 1 cm. The gap must only be at least so large that a cutting blade of a second cutting device, as described below, can be passed.

After the blank has been spatially separated from the waste and a gap has been created between the two in cross-section, at least one cutting blade of a second cutting device is passed through the resulting gap between blank and waste, thereby ensuring that all fibers / threads not yet severed of the textile semifinished product are completely severed, so that after passing the at least one cutting blade of the second cutting device through the resulting gap, the blank is completely and reliably separated from the waste.

Depending on the configuration, the first cutting device may be different from the second cutting device. However, it is also conceivable that the first cutting device coincides partially or completely with the second cutting device and the cutting blade for cutting is at the same time the cutting blade which is passed through the resulting gap.

As already mentioned, the at least one semifinished textile product can be placed on a tool surface of the cutting tool and cut on the tool surface by the first cutting device. This is usually the case when the cutting tool is a cutting table or a mold for producing a Faserpreform.

Advantageously, using the gripping device, the blank is raised relative to the waste - or vice versa - in such a way that the cut plane spanned by the blank is different from the cut plane defined by the flat cut, so that blank and waste lie on different planes when the cutting knife the second cutting device is passed through the resulting gap.

In order to ensure the simplest possible process and to ensure the highest possible process reliability, it is advantageous if the at least one cutting blade of the second cutting device is passed through the resulting gap essentially parallel to the blank and / or waste, whereby damage, in particular to the blank, can be prevented ,

In an advantageous embodiment, a second cutting device is provided for the method according to the invention such that at least two axially movable cutting blades are provided, which are moved in opposite directions axially when passing through the gap formed. As a result, even stronger fibers or threads can be reliably separated. The axially movable cutting blades are formed so that they are alternately moved axially, so that the direction of movement changes continuously. Conversely, this means that the cutting blades are not moved substantially in the same axial direction during the axial movement.

The axial movement takes place transversely to the direction of passage through the gap.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the at least one cutting blade of the second cutting device is caused to oscillate during the passage through the gap, whereby an improved cutting force is achieved without great pressure or counter-pressure forces can. For when passing the cutting blade through the gap should be advantageously avoided that large tensile forces are applied to the not yet severed threads, whereby the blank could be damaged in terms of its fiber / thread geometry.

Moreover, according to claim 8, a method is proposed for producing a fiber composite component from a fiber composite material which has a fiber material and a matrix material. In this case, the fiber material is the semi-finished textile product, wherein a blank is automatically produced from at least one of the provided semifinished textile products in accordance with the abovementioned method and then the fiber composite component is produced from the produced blank.

Incidentally, the invention also includes a system for producing a blank from at least one semi-finished textile product, wherein the system is in particular adapted and designed to carry out the above-described method for producing a blank. For this purpose, the system has a cutting tool into which the at least one semi-finished textile product can be introduced. Advantageously, such a cutting tool can have a tool surface onto which the at least one textile semifinished product can be deposited. Such a cutting tool with a tool surface can be, for example, a cutting table or a molding tool.

The system furthermore has a first cutting device, which is designed to cut the at least one semi-finished textile product introduced into the cutting tool according to a predetermined cutting geometry of the blank. Furthermore, the system has a gripping device, which is designed to grasp the blank and lift the blank against the waste - or vice versa - such that in the cross section of the textile semifinished product between the blank and the waste due to the lifting creates a gap, wherein blank and waste together form the at least one semi-finished textile product.

According to the invention, the system has a second cutting device, which has at least one cutting blade which can be guided through the resulting gap between blank and waste, so as not or not completely severed fibers or filaments of the textile semi-finished, not completely from the first cutting device were severed, cut and thus the cutting of the blend final, complete and reliable separation.

The first cutting device can advantageously be a cutting portal which has at least one cutting blade movable relative to the cutting tool (designed in the form of a tool surface) for cutting the at least one semi-finished textile product introduced into the cutting tool. Such a cutting portal is also referred to as a cutter system.

Advantageously, however, the first cutting device can also be an articulated-arm robot, which has as end-effector at least one cutting blade for cutting the at least one textile semifinished product introduced into the cutting tool. Such an articulated-arm robot with a cutting knife as the end effector is used, for example, when a 3D preform has been introduced into a molding tool and manufactured there and the final geometry of the 3D preform are now formed using the cutting blade on the articulated arm robot in the mold should. In this case, the textile semifinished product is cut within the molding tool, wherein advantageously the scrap increases and the blank remains on the molding tool.

In an advantageous embodiment, the second cutting device is designed such that the at least one cutting blade can be guided substantially parallel to the blank and / or waste through the resulting gap. This embodiment can be used advantageously, for example, when the first cutting device is a cutting portal and the second cutting device is integrated into the cutting portal. The at least one cutting blade of the second cutting device is designed so that it advantageously extends over the entire width of the cutting table of the cutting portal and between the raised blank (or waste) and the remaining on the table waste (or blank) is passed, so that in this case, the at least one cutting blade of the second cutting device is also passed between the cutting tool and the gripping device.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the second cutting device is designed so that at least two axially movable cutting blades are provided, which are formed in opposite directions during passage through the resulting gap. The direction of the axial movement of a cutting blade alternates, so that a "back and forth" movement is generated in the axial direction. The axial direction of movement is transverse to the direction of movement of the blade, when it is passed through the gap between blank and waste.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the at least one cutting blade the second cutter has a plurality of cutting teeth aligned in the feedthrough direction. In combination with an axial, alternating movement of the at least one cutting blade thus creates a kind of sawing movement when the cutting blade is passed between blank and waste. Sawing also falls under the term "cutting" in the sense of the present invention in relation to the cutting blade.

The cutting teeth can have, for example, a triangular sectional plane or tooth shape, wherein the cutting teeth arranged with an edge side of the triangle to a cutting blade and the opposite tip of the triangle is aligned in the direction of passing direction between blank and waste.

In an advantageous embodiment, the cutting teeth of the at least one cutting knife of the second cutting device on one or more barbs, so that when passing the cutting blade through the gap between blank and waste the not yet completely severed fibers or threads are caught in the barb and thus be severely cut process. This is to prevent the threads from possibly slipping out of the working area of the cutting blade and not being severed, which can cause the threads to get caught in the cutting blade and then be torn out of the blank as the cutting knife passes through the gap. Such defects in the later component, especially in the load-bearing fibers, are unacceptable in many applications.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the at least one cutting blade of the second cutting device is vibrated while it is passed through the resulting gap between blank and waste, so as to improve the cutting result. This is particularly advantageous against the background that as little pulling force on the not yet severed fibers or filaments may be applied by the cutting blade in order to avoid separation of the fibers or threads from the blank.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the cutting blade has a particular elongate extension (in the axial direction), which is necessary, for example, in the integration of the second cutting device in a cutting portal, when the cutting blade is to extend over the entire space of the cutting portal. Widths of up to 3 m are realized in industrially used cutter machines or cutting gantries, which would require extremely high material rigidity. However, the available space is greatly limited by the specification of the minimum spatial separation between blank and waste and the smallest possible gap width, so that it is particularly premature if the cutting blade, in particular on the cutter bar, one or more support rollers, with which the Cutting knife can be supported on the cutting tool. The support rollers can be designed in the form of ball rollers to allow an axial movement. This avoids that the cutter bar must be cantilevered over the entire width of the cutting portal.

Incidentally, the invention also includes a system for producing a fiber composite component, to such a system generically a mold, depending on the fiber composite material used an injection unit for injecting a matrix material and a curing device, such as an autoclave, for annealing the matrix material and curing the same. According to the invention, such a system for producing a fiber composite component then has a system for producing a blank as described above, so as to be able to automate the process step of manufacturing the blank in a process-reliable manner.

A lifting of the blank relative to the waste - or vice versa - is understood in particular as a lifting movement with respect to the non-lifted part, whereby blank and waste are spatially separated into different planes, such lifting movement or lifting does not have to be axial to the soil run, but can for example also obliquely arranged cutting tool surfaces obliquely to the earth slot. The term "lifting" is not limited to a pure lifting movement parallel to the soil, but merely means a spatial separation between blank and waste. This includes, in particular, a shifting and / or lowering.

The term "gripping" of the blank or trimming is understood to mean, in particular, that the gripping device holds the blank or waste on the gripping device and can spatially separate it from the respective other part. Such a gripping device may for example be a needle gripper. Conceivable, however, are other gripping mechanisms, such as electrostatic or negative pressure. Such a gripper is nevertheless a manipulator which spatially separates the blank from the waste, for example by lifting, lowering and / or moving.

In the context of the present invention, a "cutting blade" is understood to be a blade which can cut the textile semifinished product or sever fibers / threads without contact or contact. Such a cutting blade can be a classic knife with or without knife teeth. It is also conceivable that the cutting blade unfolds its cutting action, for example by laser, water or sand, for example by other cutting mechanisms.

• 1a-1f - Darstellung der Verfahrensschritte des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens;
• 2 - Schematische Darstellung einer Schneidmesser-Anordnung;
• 3 - Darstellung eines Schneidmessers mit Stützrollen.

The invention will be explained in more detail by way of example with reference to the attached figures. Show it:

• 1a - 1f - Presentation of the method steps of the method according to the invention;
• 2 - Schematic representation of a cutting blade assembly;
• 3 - Representation of a cutting knife with support rollers.

1a - 1f show in a schematic representation of the individual process steps for producing a blank from a textile semifinished product, wherein in the embodiment of the 1a - 1f has been turned off for the purpose of explaining the method to the application of a cutting portal, in which the semi-finished textile deposited on a cutting table and then the cutting portal using a knife arranged on the portal according to the blank geometry cuts the blank from the textile semifinished product.

The 1a - 1f show on the left side a plan view of the cutting portal, while on the right side is shown a side view.

In 1a is a cutting table or Cuttertisch 10 shown, which is the cutting tool for the semi-finished textile to be cut 1 forms. At the cutting table 10 is a cutting portal 20 arranged, which is the first cutting device for producing a blank from the textile semifinished product 1 forms. The cutting portal 20 has a motion machine 21 on, with a cutting head 22 can be positioned and moved over the cutting table. Under the cutting head 22 (not shown) is a cutting blade to the semi-finished textile 1 to cut according to a given cut geometry.

In 1a is the cutting head 22 of the cutting portal 20 together with the cutting blade (not shown) in a parking position in the upper right corner of the cutting table 10 positioned so that the semi-finished textile 1 (in the unassembled version) can be stored on the cutting table. In the process step according to the 1a thus becomes the semi-finished textile 1 into the cutting tool 10 brought in.

In this case, the textile semifinished product 1 at a predetermined position on the cutting table 10 be positioned, for example, as low as possible cutting the blank to be made and the entire surface of the textile semifinished product 1 must be exploited. It is also conceivable that the cutting head 22 corresponding sensors to the position of the on the cutting table 10 deposited textile semi-finished product 1 to be able to determine and thus relative to the positioning of the textile semifinished product 1 the pattern goes off.

Subsequently, in the next process step, the in 1b is shown, the preparation of the blank 2 by cutting the textile semifinished product 1 using the cutting knife 23 of the cutting portal 20 , Using the cutting portal 20 and the motion machine 21 of the cutting portal 20 becomes the cutting head 22 opposite the stationary semi-finished textile 1 method, so that according to the blank geometry of the blank 2 the blank according to its edges from the textile semifinished product 1 is cut out.

In the embodiment of 1b is shown that from the semi-finished textile 1 be cut out of several blank elements, which together form the blank. The remaining of the blank rest of the textile semifinished product 1 is doing as a blend 3 designated.

After all blank elements of the blank 2 from the textile semi-finished product 1 using the cutting portal 20 are cut, the cutting head 22 of the cutting portal 20 moved back to a parking position, as in 1c is shown. Subsequently, from the top towards the cutting table 10 a gripping device 30 positioned in the embodiment of the 1a - 1f to raise the blank. As in 1c shown, the gripping device 30 in the direction of the blank 2 positioned and moved until the gripping device 30 the cut 2 contacted ( 1d ).

After the gripping device 30 the textile semi-finished product 1 contacted and the cut 2 according to the embodiment of the gripping device 30 engages, becomes the gripping device 30 raised, making the blank over that on the cutting table 10 remaining waste is raised. As in 1b shown in the side view, the blank is 2 by the gripping device 30 gripped and raised so that the cut 2 from the cutting table 10 is resolved and no longer contacted. The blend 3 however, remains on the cutting table 10 , so that in cross section, as in the side view of the 1a - 1g is shown A gap 4 between the raised blank 2 and the remaining blend 3 arises.

Of course, the core idea of the present method is also possible the other way around, so that the waste is raised by means of the gripping device and the blank remains on the cutting table. In the 1e illustrated variant in which the blank 2 by the gripping device 30 is raised, however, has the advantage that the blank can be fed so equal to a downstream automated process chain for producing a fiber composite component.

As in 1d shown in the side or cross-sectional representation on the right, are not severed fibers or threads 5 remained in the spatial separation of blank and blending and the emergence of the gap 4 become visible. These non-severed fibers or threads 5 are one reason why the process step of cutting according to the current state of the art can not be easily automated.

Now the gap 4 by lifting the blank 2 originated, is created by this gap 4 at least one cutting knife 41 a second cutting device 40 passed through, as is in 1f is shown. The cutting knife 41 is thereby passed between blank and waste and thereby severed the not yet severed fibers or threads 5 so that at the end of passing the cutting knife 41 the blank is completely separated from the waste.

All residues are now completely severed, so that the gripping device 30 the cut 2 lift completely and feed it to the rest of the process chain. On the cutting table 10 this leaves the remaining waste 3 from the textile semi-finished product 1 which can then be automated or collected by hand ( 1e ).

2 schematically shows some embodiments of the second cutting device 40 and their respective cutting blades 41 , In the lower picture of the 2 is an arrangement of two cutting blades 41 shown, each having a plurality of cutting teeth 42 feature. The cutting teeth 42 have a triangular base area and are pointed in the direction of passage.

The cutting knife 41 are axially movable, in the direction R shown by the case _axially .

In 2 in each case two cutting blades are shown in an arrangement, wherein the two cutting blades 41 are each in opposite directions, so that a cutting blade is always moved in an axial direction, which is opposite to the movement of the other cutting blade. Hereby it is achieved that the threads are cut in the manner of a cutting trimmer when the non-severed fibers or threads between the cutting teeth 42 the moving cutting blade 41 devices.

In order to prevent the threads or fibers from being pressed out of the cutting tooth arrangement, barbs can be used 43 on the cutting teeth 42 be provided in the upper illustration of the 2 is shown.

As a result, the severing of the fibers can be realized reliably.

3 schematically shows a second cutting device 40 with two counter-axially movable cutting blades 41 standing at a knife bar 44 are arranged. The cutting knife 41 can on the knife bar 44 be arranged so that they are axially movable and form a kind of cutting trimmer.

On the knife bar 44 are also support rollers 45 arranged to prevent the cutterbar 44 must be self-supporting on the entire width of the cutting table.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 -

semi-finished textile

2 -

cut

3 -

blend

4 -

gap

5 -

not severed fibers / threads

10 -

cutting table

20 -

cutting portal

21 -

motion Machine

22 -

cutting head

23 -

Cutting knife of the cutting head

30 -

gripper

40 -

second cutting device

41 -

cutting blade

42 -

cutting teeth

43 -

barb

44 -

cutter bar

45 -

support rollers

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 102007061427 B4 [0007]

Claims (17)

Method for producing a blank from at least one textile semifinished product with • introduction of the at least one textile semifinished product into a cutting tool, and • cutting the at least one semi-finished textile product introduced into the cutting tool by means of a first cutting device according to a predetermined cutting geometry of the blank in order to obtain from the at least one textile blank to produce the blank, characterized by • gripping the blank and lifting the blank against a waste - or vice versa - by means of a gripping device, so that in cross section between the blank and the waste due to the lifting creates a gap, wherein blank and waste together the formed at least one textile semifinished product, and • passing at least one cutting blade of a second cutting device through the resulting gap between blank and waste. Method according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the at least one semi-finished textile product is placed on a tool surface of the cutting tool and cut lying on the tool surface. Method according to Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the blank relative to the waste - or vice versa - by means of the gripping device is raised so that the plane defined by the blank blank cutting plane is different from the plane defined by the blank waste Verschnittbene or that the blank edge of the blank of the waste edge of the crop is spatially spaced. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one cutting blade of the second cutting device is passed through the resulting gap substantially parallel to the blank and / or waste and / or substantially parallel to the blank edge of the blank and / or blending edge of the crop. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second cutting device is provided such that at least two axially movable cutting blades are provided, which are moved axially opposite in passing through the gap formed. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one cutting blade of the second cutting device is excited to oscillate during the passage through the gap. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one cutting blade of the second cutting device by means of a moving machine of the second cutting device, on which the at least one cutting blade is arranged, is passed through the gap. A method for producing a fiber composite component from a fiber composite material, which has a fiber material and a matrix material, wherein the fiber material are provided as semi-finished textile products, wherein a blank automated from at least one of the provided semi-finished textile products according to the method of one of Claims 1 to 7 made and then produced from the blank produced the fiber composite component. Plant for producing a blank from at least one semi-finished textile product with A cutting tool in which the at least one textile semifinished product can be introduced, A first cutting device which is designed to cut the at least one semi-finished textile product introduced into the cutting tool according to a predetermined blank geometry of the blank, • A gripping device, which is designed to grip the blank and lifting the blank against the waste - or vice versa - such that in the cross section of the textile semifinished product between the blank and the waste due to the lifting creates a gap, wherein blank and waste together at least a semi-finished textile formed, and • A second cutting device, which has at least one cutting blade, which is formed guided through the resulting gap between blank and waste. Plant after Claim 9 , characterized in that the cutting tool has a tool surface on which the at least one textile semifinished product can be deposited. Plant after Claim 9 or 10 , characterized in that the first cutting device is a cutting portal, which has at least one movable relative to the cutting tool for cutting the at least one introduced into the cutting tool semi-finished textile, or that the first cutting device is a articulated arm robot, the end effector at least one cutting blade for cutting the at least one introduced into the cutting tool semi-finished textile product. Plant according to one of the Claims 9 to 11 , characterized in that the second cutting device is designed such that the at least one cutting blade is substantially parallel to the blank and / or waste and / or substantially parallel to the blank edge of the blank and / or blending edge of the crop through the resulting gap can be passed. Plant according to one of the Claims 9 to 12 , characterized in that the second cutting device has at least two axially movable cutting blades, which are formed in opposite directions when passing through the resulting gap. Plant according to one of the Claims 9 to 13 , characterized in that the at least one cutting blade has a plurality of cutting teeth aligned in the feedthrough direction. Plant after Claim 14 , characterized in that one, several or all cutting teeth of the at least one cutting blade have barbs. Plant according to one of the Claims 9 to 15 , characterized in that the second cutting device is formed during the passage of the at least one cutting blade through the resulting gap for generating a vibration on the cutting blade. Plant according to one of the Claims 9 to 16 , characterized in that the at least one cutting blade has one or more support rollers.

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