EP0537192A1 - Method of forming thermoplastic materials - Google Patents

Method of forming thermoplastic materials

Info

Publication number
EP0537192A1
EP0537192A1 EP91911007A EP91911007A EP0537192A1 EP 0537192 A1 EP0537192 A1 EP 0537192A1 EP 91911007 A EP91911007 A EP 91911007A EP 91911007 A EP91911007 A EP 91911007A EP 0537192 A1 EP0537192 A1 EP 0537192A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
mould
thermoplastic
sheet
model
thermoplastic materials
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
EP91911007A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Eino Laine
Kay RÖKMAN
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Ahlstrom Corp
Original Assignee
Ahlstrom Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Ahlstrom Corp filed Critical Ahlstrom Corp
Publication of EP0537192A1 publication Critical patent/EP0537192A1/en
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C33/00—Moulds or cores; Details thereof or accessories therefor
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C33/00—Moulds or cores; Details thereof or accessories therefor
    • B29C33/56—Coatings, e.g. enameled or galvanised; Releasing, lubricating or separating agents
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C51/00—Shaping by thermoforming, i.e. shaping sheets or sheet like preforms after heating, e.g. shaping sheets in matched moulds or by deep-drawing; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C51/26—Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations
    • B29C51/28—Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations for applying pressure through the wall of an inflated bag or diaphragm
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C43/00—Compression moulding, i.e. applying external pressure to flow the moulding material; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C43/02—Compression moulding, i.e. applying external pressure to flow the moulding material; Apparatus therefor of articles of definite length, i.e. discrete articles
    • B29C43/10—Isostatic pressing, i.e. using non-rigid pressure-exerting members against rigid parts or dies
    • B29C43/12—Isostatic pressing, i.e. using non-rigid pressure-exerting members against rigid parts or dies using bags surrounding the moulding material or using membranes contacting the moulding material

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method of forming products, especially prototype pieces, of thermoplastic materials.
  • Thermoplastic material such as reinforced plastics material sheets, can be formed into products by heating it first to a softening temperature and transferring it thereafter to a mould in which it is pressed and allowed to set.
  • the moulds are usually machined or cast metal moulds. The manufacture of prototype pieces in particular has therefore been difficult, expensive and time-consuming.
  • the object of this invention is to provide a method by which the manufacture of products formed of a thermoplastic material, and in particular the production of prototype pieces, is faster and less expensive than before.
  • a sheet of thermoplastic material is heated and transferred to a mould against which it is formed by pressing; and it is a characteristic feature of the invention that the mould is a model backed against a planar mould table by a backing material.
  • a model of the desired shape can be used as the mould.
  • the lower surface of the model i.e. the surface facing the mould table, need not be planar.
  • the model can, for example, have the shape of a dish turned upside down and it can be made of sheet metal. According to the invention it is, prior to placing on the mould table, filled with for example polyurethane foam which gives a planar lower surface.
  • a material the surface of which is easy to form to a plane is suitable to be used as the backing material.
  • Materials of this kind are for example foamy settable substances, such as polyurethane, or casting materials, such as gypsum.
  • foamy settable substances such as polyurethane
  • casting materials such as gypsum.
  • the method of the present invention it is possible to produce fast and with low costs a prototype piece with the corresponding properties, for example appearance, insulation ability, ridigity, etc., as the products manufactured with known methods.
  • the methods allows the use of models of a large variety of shapes. It does not cause high tool costs as the same planar mould table can be used for various shapes of models.
  • the model can be made of different materials such as for example wood, plywood, sheet metal or a sheet of polyester. It is a prereguisite of the material of the model that it will not be deformed by the hot thermoplastic sheet.
  • a model 2 is supported by a backing material 1 and placed on a mould table 6 having a planar top surface.
  • a thoroughly soft and pliable sheet 3 of a thermoplastic material heated in an oven is transferred to the mould (1 and 2).
  • An elastic diaphragm 4 of a pressure bell 5 is applied and presses the thermoplastic material tightly againts the mould by means of the pressure prevailing in the pressure bell.
  • air is exhausted from the region of the sheet to be formed via passages 7.
  • a pressure of less than 0.1 MPa is in most cases adeguate for the pressing. However, higher pressures can be used, particularly if the density of the backing material is increased.
  • the present method is very well applicable in forming prototype pieces of porous sheet-like fiber-reinforced non- compressed particle-form plastics material, the fiber and plastics components of which are bound together.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Casting Or Compression Moulding Of Plastics Or The Like (AREA)
  • Moulds For Moulding Plastics Or The Like (AREA)
  • Moulding By Coating Moulds (AREA)

Abstract

Selon une méthode de fabrication d'articles thermoplastiques, on fait chauffer une feuille de matériau thermoplastique (3) avant son transfert dans un moule (1 et 2) destiné à sa mise en forme par pressage. Le moule comporte un modèle plaqué contre une table de moulage plane (6) par l'intermédiaire d'un matériau de support (1).According to a method of manufacturing thermoplastic articles, a sheet of thermoplastic material (3) is heated before its transfer into a mold (1 and 2) intended for its shaping by pressing. The mold has a model pressed against a planar molding table (6) via a support material (1).

Description

METHOD OF FORMING THERMOPLASTIC MATERIALS
TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a method of forming products, especially prototype pieces, of thermoplastic materials.
BACKGROUND ART Thermoplastic material, such as reinforced plastics material sheets, can be formed into products by heating it first to a softening temperature and transferring it thereafter to a mould in which it is pressed and allowed to set. The moulds are usually machined or cast metal moulds. The manufacture of prototype pieces in particular has therefore been difficult, expensive and time-consuming.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
The object of this invention is to provide a method by which the manufacture of products formed of a thermoplastic material, and in particular the production of prototype pieces, is faster and less expensive than before.
According to the method of the present invention, a sheet of thermoplastic material is heated and transferred to a mould against which it is formed by pressing; and it is a characteristic feature of the invention that the mould is a model backed against a planar mould table by a backing material.
When the present invention is employed there is no need to produce a conventional mould. A model of the desired shape can be used as the mould. The lower surface of the model, i.e. the surface facing the mould table, need not be planar. The model can, for example, have the shape of a dish turned upside down and it can be made of sheet metal. According to the invention it is, prior to placing on the mould table, filled with for example polyurethane foam which gives a planar lower surface.
A material the surface of which is easy to form to a plane is suitable to be used as the backing material. Materials of this kind are for example foamy settable substances, such as polyurethane, or casting materials, such as gypsum. Prior to placing the model on the mould table, the backing material is cast to the lower surface of the model in a way to produce a planar surface to be placed against the mould table.
According to the method of the present invention, it is possible to produce fast and with low costs a prototype piece with the corresponding properties, for example appearance, insulation ability, ridigity, etc., as the products manufactured with known methods. The methods allows the use of models of a large variety of shapes. It does not cause high tool costs as the same planar mould table can be used for various shapes of models. The model can be made of different materials such as for example wood, plywood, sheet metal or a sheet of polyester. It is a prereguisite of the material of the model that it will not be deformed by the hot thermoplastic sheet.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing which is a schematical sectional view illustrating manufacture of a prototype piece by the method according to the present invention.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
In the drawing, a model 2 is supported by a backing material 1 and placed on a mould table 6 having a planar top surface. A thoroughly soft and pliable sheet 3 of a thermoplastic material heated in an oven is transferred to the mould (1 and 2). An elastic diaphragm 4 of a pressure bell 5 is applied and presses the thermoplastic material tightly againts the mould by means of the pressure prevailing in the pressure bell. At the same time, air is exhausted from the region of the sheet to be formed via passages 7. When the sheet 3 has set following cooling it is removed from the mould.
A pressure of less than 0.1 MPa is in most cases adeguate for the pressing. However, higher pressures can be used, particularly if the density of the backing material is increased.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
The present method is very well applicable in forming prototype pieces of porous sheet-like fiber-reinforced non- compressed particle-form plastics material, the fiber and plastics components of which are bound together. Naturally, it is also possible to form according to the method also, for example reinforced plastics blancs coated with textile, or blancs composed of superimposed layers, the layers having different fiber content.

Claims

WE CLAIM:
1. A method of forming products of a thermoplastic material according to which method a thermoplastic sheet is heated and transferred to a mould in which it is formed, characterized in that the mould (2) is a model supported against a planar mould table (6) via a backing material (1).
2. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the backing material (1) is of a foamy settable substance.
3. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the backing material (1) is of a casting material.
4. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the thermoplastic material (3) is a fiber-reinforced plastics material.
EP91911007A 1990-07-02 1991-06-20 Method of forming thermoplastic materials Ceased EP0537192A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FI903324 1990-07-02
FI903324A FI903324A (en) 1990-07-02 1990-07-02 FOERFARANDE FOER FORMNING AV THERMOPLASTIC AEMNEN.

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0537192A1 true EP0537192A1 (en) 1993-04-21

Family

ID=8530732

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP91911007A Ceased EP0537192A1 (en) 1990-07-02 1991-06-20 Method of forming thermoplastic materials

Country Status (7)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0537192A1 (en)
JP (1) JPH0741663B2 (en)
KR (1) KR930701278A (en)
CA (1) CA2085478A1 (en)
FI (1) FI903324A (en)
TW (1) TW200428B (en)
WO (1) WO1992000176A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US10464280B2 (en) 2011-08-30 2019-11-05 Shanghai Yanfeng Jinqiao Automotive Trim Systems Co. Ltd. Trim component for vehicle interior
US8939745B2 (en) 2011-08-30 2015-01-27 Johnson Controls Technology Company System and method for manufacturing a vehicle trim component via concurrent compression forming and injection molding
US10093268B2 (en) 2012-08-27 2018-10-09 Shanghai Yanfeng Jinqiao Automotive Trim Systems Co. Ltd. Trim component for vehicle interior
DE102015012242B4 (en) * 2015-09-18 2019-06-19 Leonhard Kurz Stiftung & Co. Kg Method and device for producing a laminated with a laminate 3D substrate
WO2020006290A1 (en) 2018-06-28 2020-01-02 Shanghai Yanfeng Jinqiao Automotive Trim Systems Co. Ltd. Vehicle trim component

Family Cites Families (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
BE754422A (en) * 1969-08-13 1971-02-05 Shell Int Research METHOD AND DEVICE FOR FORMING OBJECTS FROM A SHEET
GB1319587A (en) * 1969-10-17 1973-06-06 British United Shoe Machinery Treatment of thermoplastic sheet material
DE2612369A1 (en) * 1976-03-24 1977-10-06 Dynamit Nobel Ag METHOD OF MANUFACTURING A MOLDING TOOL FROM REACTIVE RESINS WITH FILLERS AND MOLDING TOOL
JPS5638222A (en) * 1979-09-07 1981-04-13 Aisin Seiki Co Ltd Preparation of ornamental member
JPS5743811A (en) * 1980-06-20 1982-03-12 Hashimoto Forming Co Ltd Vacuum press adhesion apparatus
JPS5743812A (en) * 1980-06-20 1982-03-12 Hashimoto Forming Co Ltd Vacuum press adhesion apparatus
JPS6050146B2 (en) * 1981-01-21 1985-11-07 東レ株式会社 Sheet for stamping molding
SE433321B (en) * 1982-04-30 1984-05-21 Lindskog K J E SET FOR MANUFACTURE OF A FORMED PROPOSAL FOR THE SHAPING OF SCALFUL FORMS

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO9200176A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPH05507246A (en) 1993-10-21
TW200428B (en) 1993-02-21
WO1992000176A1 (en) 1992-01-09
KR930701278A (en) 1993-06-11
FI903324A (en) 1992-01-03
FI903324A0 (en) 1990-07-02
CA2085478A1 (en) 1992-01-03
JPH0741663B2 (en) 1995-05-10

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