JP2005297513A - Automatic laminating machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To markedly enhance the quality of an obtained article by preventing a decrease in adhesion between prepreg tape layers and surface smoothness in an automatic laminating apparatus conducting direct consolidation shaping by laminating a thermoplastic prepreg tape on the surface of a predetermined body to be laminated. <P>SOLUTION: In the automatic laminating apparatus comprising a sending-out means of sending out the thermoplastic prepreg tape 200 and a forward compaction roller 43 laminating the prepreg tape 200 on the surface of the predetermined body 100 to be laminated by heating and pressing the prepreg sent out from the sending-out means, a backward compaction roller 44 is arranged behind the forward compaction roller 43 in the running direction in order to keep pressure added to the prepreg tape 200 by the forward compaction roller 43. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an automatic laminating apparatus, and more particularly to an automatic laminating apparatus for laminating a thermoplastic prepreg tape on the surface of a predetermined laminated body.

  Currently, "automatic laminator" that sends fiber reinforced plastic tape (hereinafter referred to as "prepreg tape") prepared by impregnating reinforced fiber with thermosetting or thermoplastic matrix resin and laminates it on the surface of a predetermined object. Various techniques for manufacturing a desired structure using "" have been proposed.

  For example, after a thermosetting prepreg tape is laminated on the surface of a predetermined laminated body by an automatic laminating apparatus, a desired structure is manufactured by curing the thermosetting resin by heating and pressing in an autoclave. A technique has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). However, when such a technique is adopted, it is necessary to carry out a heating and pressurizing step by an autoclave after carrying out a laminating step by an automatic laminating apparatus, which causes a problem that the manufacturing cost increases and the manufacturing period is prolonged.

Therefore, in recent years, as shown in FIG. 7, after a thermoplastic prepreg tape 200 is laminated on the surface of a predetermined laminated body 100, heating and pressurization are simultaneously performed using a compaction roller 300. There has been proposed a “direct consolidation molding technique” in which a desired structure is produced by solidifying a thermoplastic resin by natural (or forced) cooling (see, for example, Patent Document 2).
JP 2002-137241 A JP-T-2001-510746

By the way, in order to cure the prepreg tape 200 laminated on the surface of the predetermined laminated body 100, until the thermoplastic resin contained in the prepreg tape 200 is solidified (the temperature of the thermoplastic resin reaches below the glass transition temperature). Up to this point, it is necessary to continue to apply pressure (compaction force F _C ) to the prepreg tape 200.

However, in the conventional automatic laminating apparatus as shown in FIG. 7 in which only one compaction roller 300 is employed, the compaction force F _C is continuously applied until the thermoplastic resin is solidified after the prepreg tape 200 is laminated. I couldn't. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 8, a situation occurs such that the prepreg tape 200 behind the compaction roller 300 in the traveling direction (laminating direction) is lifted from the surface of the laminated body 100, and the interlayer adhesion and surface smoothness of the prepreg tape 200 occur. As a result, the quality and strength of the product may decrease.

  An object of the present invention is to prevent a decrease in interlayer adhesion and surface smoothness of a prepreg tape in an automatic laminating apparatus that performs direct consolidation molding by laminating a thermoplastic prepreg tape on the surface of a predetermined laminate. In this way, the quality of the obtained product is greatly improved.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 1 is characterized in that a feeding means for feeding a thermoplastic prepreg tape prepared by impregnating a reinforcing fiber with a thermoplastic resin, and a surface of a predetermined laminated body A heating and pressurizing roller configured to travel in a predetermined direction, and to laminate the prepreg tape on the surface of the laminated body by heating and pressing the prepreg tape delivered from the delivery means. The automatic laminating apparatus includes a pressure roller that is disposed behind the heating and pressure roller in a running direction and that runs integrally with the heating and pressure roller.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the pressure roller is arranged behind the heating and pressure roller in the running direction, the compaction force is applied to the prepreg tape after the prepreg tape is laminated until the thermoplastic resin is solidified. Can be added sufficiently. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent a decrease in interlayer adhesion and surface smoothness of the prepreg tape, so that the quality of the obtained product can be remarkably improved.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the automatic laminating apparatus according to the first aspect, the pressure roller also serves as a cooling means for cooling the prepreg tape.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the pressure roller also serves as a cooling unit that cools the prepreg tape that is pressed by the heating and pressure roller and is laminated on the surface of the laminated body, so that the compaction force is applied to the prepreg tape. The thermoplastic resin can be rapidly cooled and solidified while adding.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the automatic laminating apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the pressure plate is disposed between the heat pressure roller and the pressure roller and presses the laminated prepreg tape. It is characterized by providing.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the automatic laminating apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the pressure prepreg tape is disposed between the heat and pressure roller and the pressure roller, and presses the laminated prepreg tape. The above-mentioned small roller is provided.

  According to the invention described in claim 3 or 4, the pressure plate or the small roller disposed between the heat and pressure roller and the pressure roller is provided. Pressurization can be performed while maintaining the pressure of the pressed prepreg tape. Accordingly, the compaction force can be applied to the prepreg tape even during the time from the end of pressurization by the heating and pressurizing roller to the start of pressurization by the pressurizing roller. As a result, the interlayer adhesion and surface smoothness of the prepreg tape can be further improved, and further product quality can be realized.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the automatic laminating apparatus according to the third aspect, the heating and pressure roller and an annular belt wound around the pressure roller and rotating together are provided, and the annular belt is interposed through the annular belt. Pressure is applied by the heating and pressure roller, the pressure roller, and the pressure plate.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the automatic laminating apparatus according to the fourth aspect of the invention, the heating and pressing roller and an annular belt that is wound around the pressing roller and rotates together are provided. Pressure is applied by a heating and pressure roller, the pressure roller, and the small roller.

  According to the invention described in claim 5 or 6, the heating pressure roller and the annular belt rotating together with the pressure roller are provided, and the heating pressure roller, the pressure roller, the pressure plate and the small size are provided via the annular belt. Since pressure is applied by the roller, it is possible to prevent the roller or the plate from coming into direct contact with the prepreg tape. Therefore, since the prepreg tape is not damaged by the roller or the plate, a high-quality product can be obtained.

  According to a seventh aspect of the invention, there is provided the automatic laminating apparatus according to the fifth aspect, further comprising a frictional force reducing means for reducing a frictional force between the pressure plate and the annular belt.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, since the frictional force reducing means for reducing the frictional force between the pressure plate and the annular belt is provided, wear / damage of the annular belt due to the contact of the pressure plate is reduced. can do. Also, since the smooth rotation of the annular belt can be realized, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the laminating speed of the automatic laminating apparatus.

  The invention according to claim 8 is the automatic laminating apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the annular belt is a foil prepared from a metal material having heat resistance. .

  According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, since the annular belt is prepared from a heat-resistant metal material, it can withstand the heating by the heating and pressing roller. In addition, since the annular belt is a foil, it can smoothly follow the shape of the heating and pressing roller and the pressing roller, thereby exhibiting high durability.

  According to the present invention, since the rear pressure roller that can hold the pressure applied to the prepreg tape by the heat pressure roller is provided, a compaction force can be sufficiently applied to the prepreg tape until the thermoplastic resin is solidified. It is possible to prevent deterioration of interlayer adhesion and surface smoothness of the prepreg tape, and to significantly improve the quality of the obtained product. In addition, since a pressure plate and a small roller are arranged between the heat pressure roller and the pressure roller behind it, pressure is applied with the pressure roller at the rear while maintaining the state where pressure is applied with the heat pressure roller. This can be continued, and the quality of the product can be further improved.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  First, the whole structure of the automatic laminating apparatus 1 which concerns on embodiment of this invention is demonstrated using FIGS. 1-3. The automatic laminating apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is for producing a desired structure by continuously automatically laminating a thermoplastic prepreg tape 200 on the surface of a predetermined laminated body 100 shown in FIG. Is.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the automatic laminating apparatus 1 heats the prepreg tape 200 fed from the head unit 10 that moves in the direction of the arrow, the feeding unit 20 that feeds the prepreg tape 200 below the head unit 10, and the feeding unit 20. And a compaction unit 40 that moves integrally with the head unit 10 and stacks and solidifies the prepreg tape 200 on the surface of the stacked body 100 while heating and pressurizing. The moving speed of the head unit 10, the feeding speed of the prepreg tape 200, and the temperature of the gas heater 30 are controlled by a control device (not shown).

  Next, the structure of the compaction unit 40 (main part) of the automatic lamination apparatus 1 which concerns on this Embodiment is demonstrated using FIG.2 and FIG.3.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the compaction unit 40 includes a fixed portion 41 that is fixed to the head portion 10, a left and right swing portion 42 that is swingably attached to the lower portion of the fixed portion 41 in the left and right directions, and a left and right swing portion 42. The front compaction roller 43 for heating and pressing attached to the lower front of the rear, the rear compaction roller 44 for cooling and pressing attached to the lower rear of the left and right swinging portion 42, and disposed between the front compaction roller 43 and the rear compaction roller 44. The cooling and pressurizing compaction plate 45, the front compaction roller 43, the annular compaction belt 46 wound around the rear compaction roller 44, and the like are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a rotation shaft 41 a extending in the front-rear direction is fixed to the lower portion of the fixing portion 41. The left-right swinging part 42 includes a bearing part 42a that swings in the left-right direction around the rotation shaft 41a of the fixed part 41, an upper plate part 42b fixed to the lower part of the bearing part 42a, and both left and right end parts of the upper plate part 42b. Left and right plate portions 42c fixed so as to hang downward. As shown in FIG. 2A, the left and right plate portions 42c are divided at the center portion in the front-rear direction, and a connection for connecting the compaction plate 45 to the upper plate portion 42b between the divided left and right plate portions 42c. A member 42d is provided. Moreover, as shown in FIG.2 (b), the left-right board part 42c is provided with the roller rotating shaft 42e extended in the left-right direction.

  The front compaction roller 43 is a heat and pressure roller in the present invention, and travels integrally with the head unit 10 by rotating in the direction of the arrow in FIG. The prepreg tape 200 delivered from is heated and pressed to be laminated on the surface of the laminated body 100. A cylindrical heater is built in the front compaction roller 43, and electric power is supplied to the heater via a slip ring, so that the temperature is equal to or higher than the melting temperature of the thermoplastic resin (for example, 300 ° C to 500 ° C). ) Until the roller is heated. The front compaction roller 43 is made of a metal material such as stainless steel that can withstand the heating and lamination pressure of the heater.

  The rear compaction roller 44 is a pressure roller in the present invention, and rotates integrally with the head unit 10 and the front compaction roller 43 by rotating in the direction of the arrow in FIG. The pressure applied to the prepreg tape 200 laminated on the surface of the laminated body 100 is maintained. The rear compaction roller 44 is made of a metal material such as stainless steel that can withstand the pressure during lamination, and cools and solidifies the thermoplastic resin contained in the prepreg tape 200 to a glass transition temperature or lower depending on its surface temperature. That is, the rear compaction roller 44 also functions as a cooling means in the present invention.

  The compaction plate 45 is a pressure plate according to the present invention, and is connected to the upper plate portion 42b via a connecting member 42d as shown in FIG. 2, and the rear compaction roller 44 from the end of pressurization by the front compaction roller 43. The prepreg tape 200 is pressurized until the start of pressurization. The compaction plate 45 is made of a metal material such as stainless steel, brass, or gun metal, and transfers the heat of the prepreg tape 200 to the left-right swinging portion 42 to dissipate the heat, so that the thermoplastic resin contained in the prepreg tape 200 is removed. Cool to below the glass transition temperature and solidify. That is, the compaction plate 45 also functions as a cooling means.

  The annular belt 46 is wound around the front compaction roller 43 and the rear compaction roller 44 and rotates in the direction of the arrow in FIG. The prepreg tape 200 is heated and pressed by the front compaction roller 43, the rear compaction roller 44, and the compaction plate 45 through an annular belt 46 as shown in FIG.

  The annular belt 46 is prepared from a metal material having heat resistance such as stainless steel, titanium alloy, nickel alloy, or Invar alloy so as to withstand the heating by the front compaction roller 43. In the present embodiment, a metal foil having a thickness of 0.15 mm or less is employed as the annular belt 46 in order to smoothly follow the annular belt 46 in the shape of the front compaction roller 43 and the rear compaction roller 44. .

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3B, the graphite 50 is locally embedded in the lower surface 45 a of the compaction plate 45. By interposing the graphite 50 between the compaction plate 45 and the annular belt 46, the frictional force between the compaction plate 45 and the annular belt 46 can be reduced, and the annular belt 46 can be smoothly rotated.

  Subsequently, a stacking operation of the automatic stacking apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3.

  First, as shown in FIG. 1, the head unit 10 of the automatic laminating apparatus 1 is disposed above a predetermined laminated body 100, and a portion near the end of the prepreg tape 200 delivered by the delivery means 20 is used with the compaction unit 40. And welded to the surface of the laminated body 100. The control device of the automatic laminating apparatus 1 drives the head unit 10 from such an initial state and moves it in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1, and also drives the feeding means 20 to feed the prepreg tape 200 at a predetermined speed.

  The prepreg tape 200 delivered by the delivery means 20 is heated by the gas heater 30 and the front compaction roller 43 and simultaneously pressed by the front compaction roller 43 via the annular belt 46 as shown in FIG. Laminated on the surface of 100. And the pressure to the prepreg tape 200 applied by the front compaction roller 43 is hold | maintained by the compaction plate 45 and the back compaction roller 44 via the annular belt 46, as shown in FIG. At the same time, the prepreg tape 200 is cooled and solidified by the compaction plate 45 and the rear compaction roller 44.

In the automatic laminating apparatus 1 according to the embodiment described above, the rear compaction roller 44 that holds the pressure applied to the prepreg tape 200 applied by the front compaction roller 43 is provided. Therefore, after the prepreg tape 200 is laminated, thermoplasticity is provided. Until the resin is solidified, the compaction force F _C can be sufficiently added to the prepreg tape 200. Accordingly, since it is possible to prevent a decrease in interlayer adhesion and surface smoothness of the prepreg tape 200, the quality of the obtained product can be significantly improved.

Further, in the automatic laminating apparatus 1 according to the embodiment described above, the compaction plate 45 can be disposed between the front compaction roller 43 and the rear compaction roller 44, and the prepreg tape 200 can be pressurized by the compaction plate 45. . Therefore, the compaction force F _C can be applied to the prepreg tape 200 from the end of pressurization by the front compaction roller 43 to the start of pressurization by the rear compaction roller 44. As a result, interlayer adhesion and surface smoothness of the prepreg tape 200 can be further improved, and further product quality can be realized.

Further, in the automatic laminating apparatus 1 according to the embodiment described above, the prepreg tape 200 can be cooled by the rear compaction roller 44 and the compaction plate 45, so that the compaction force F _C is added to the prepreg tape 200, The thermoplastic resin can be quickly cooled and solidified.

  Further, in the automatic laminating apparatus 1 according to the embodiment described above, an annular belt 46 that rotates together with the front compaction roller 43 and the rear compaction roller 44 is provided, and pressurization is performed via the annular belt 46. And the plate can be prevented from coming into direct contact with the prepreg tape 200. Therefore, since the prepreg tape 200 is not damaged by the roller or the plate, a high-quality product can be obtained.

  Further, in the automatic laminating apparatus 1 according to the embodiment described above, the graphite 50 is embedded in the lower surface of the compaction plate 45, so that the frictional force between the compaction plate 45 and the annular belt 46 can be reduced. it can. As a result, wear / damage of the annular belt 46 due to the contact of the compaction plate 45 can be reduced. Moreover, since the smooth rotation of the annular belt 46 can be realized, a decrease in the lamination speed of the automatic lamination apparatus 1 can be prevented.

  Further, in the automatic laminating apparatus 1 according to the embodiment described above, the annular belt 46 is prepared from a metal material having heat resistance, so that it can withstand the heating by the front compaction roller 43. Further, since the annular belt 46 is a foil having a thickness of 0.15 mm or less, the annular belt 46 can smoothly follow the shapes of the front compaction roller 43 and the rear compaction roller 44. Exhibits high durability.

  In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the example in which the compaction plate 45 is fixed to the upper plate part 42b of the left and right swinging part 42 via the connecting member 42d is shown. As described above, the spring 60 may be interposed between the upper plate portion 42b of the left and right swinging portion 42 and the connecting member 42d.

  As described above, the spring 60 is interposed between the upper plate portion 42b of the left and right swinging portion 42 and the connecting member 42d, so that the movement of the end portion in the left and right direction of the compaction plate 45 in the vertical direction is allowed. . Therefore, the lower surface of the compaction plate 45 during traveling can be brought into close contact with the surface shape of the stacked body 100. Further, instead of the spring 60, a mechanism having a buffering function such as an air cylinder may be interposed between the upper plate portion 42b of the left and right swinging portion 42 and the connecting member 42d.

  Further, in the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the example in which the left and right plate portions 42c are fixed to the left and right end portions of the upper plate portion 42b of the left and right swinging portion 42 is shown, but as shown in FIG. In addition, a spring 60 may be interposed between the upper plate portion 42b and the left and right plate portions 42c of the left and right swinging portion 42.

  As described above, the spring 60 is interposed between the upper plate portion 42b and the left and right plate portions 42c of the left and right swinging portion 42, so that the movement of the rear end portion of the rear compaction roller 44 in the vertical direction is allowed. It becomes. Therefore, the lower surface of the rear compaction roller 44 during traveling can follow and adhere to the surface shape of the stacked body 100. Further, instead of the spring 60, a mechanism having a buffering function such as an air cylinder may be interposed between the upper plate portion 42b and the left and right plate portions 42c of the left and right swinging portion 42.

  In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, an example in which the compaction plate 45 is disposed between the front compaction roller 43 and the rear compaction roller 44 has been described. One or more small rollers 70 as shown in FIG. The small roller 70 is a small-diameter roller that is disposed and rotated between the two rollers when the front compaction roller 43 and the rear compaction roller 44 are disposed close to each other. When the small rollers 70 are disposed, a roller rotation shaft extending in the left-right direction is fixed to, for example, the left and right plate portions 42c, and a plurality of small rollers 70 are rotated around the roller rotation shaft.

In this way, even when the small roller 70 is disposed between the front compaction roller 43 and the rear compaction roller 44, the prepreg tape from the end of pressurization by the front compaction roller 43 to the start of pressurization by the rear compaction roller 44 is provided. 200 compaction force F _C can be added.

  For the purpose of removing the slack of the annular belt 60, a slack eliminating roller 80 as shown in FIG. At this time, as shown in FIG. 6, small plate portions 90 are attached to the left and right ends of the upper plate portion 42 b of the left and right rocking portion 42 via springs 60, and the roller rotation shaft is fixed to these small plate portions 90. Then, the slack eliminating roller 80 is rotated around the roller rotation axis. Then, the slack eliminating roller 80 is pressed on the upper side of the annular belt 60 by the urging force of the spring 60, so that the slack of the annular belt 60 can be removed and a smooth laminating operation can be realized.

  In the above embodiment, the prepreg tape 200 is naturally cooled by the rear compaction roller 44 and the compaction plate 45. However, the rear compaction roller 44 and the compaction plate 45 can be provided with a cooling mechanism.

  For example, an exhaust port is provided on the surface of the rear compaction roller 44 (or the compaction plate 45) and an air supply pipe is provided inside the roller (or inside the plate), and cooling air is supplied to the exhaust port via the air supply pipe. The prepreg tape 200 can also be actively cooled by supplying and ejecting outside.

  In the above embodiments, graphite is used as the frictional force reducing means. However, a material having excellent sliding characteristics other than graphite (for example, molybdenum disulfide, Teflon (registered trademark), boron nitride, etc.) is frictionally applied. It can also be employed as a force reduction means.

It is a side view which shows the outline | summary of the automatic lamination apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. (A) is an enlarged side view which shows the compaction unit of the automatic lamination apparatus shown in FIG. 1, (b) is the enlarged front view. (A) is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the lamination | stacking operation | movement by the automatic lamination apparatus shown in FIG. 1, (b) is a bottom view of the compaction plate of the automatic lamination apparatus shown in FIG. (A) is an enlarged side view which shows the modification of the compaction unit of the automatic lamination apparatus shown in FIG. 1, (b) is the enlarged front view. It is an enlarged side view which shows the other modification of the compaction unit of the automatic lamination apparatus shown in FIG. Same as above It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the direct consolidation molding technique using an automatic lamination apparatus. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the lamination | stacking operation | movement by the conventional automatic lamination apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Automatic laminating device 20 Delivery means 43 Front compaction roller (heat-pressing roller)
44 Back compaction roller (pressure roller)
45 Compaction plate (Pressure plate)
46 annular belt 50 graphite (frictional force reducing means)
70 Small roller 100 Predetermined laminate 200 Pre-preg tape

Claims (8)

A feeding means for feeding a thermoplastic prepreg tape prepared by impregnating a thermoplastic resin into a reinforcing fiber, and configured to run in a predetermined direction on the surface of a predetermined laminated body, are sent from the feeding means. In an automatic laminating apparatus comprising: a heating and pressing roller that laminates the prepreg tape on the surface of the laminated body by heating and pressing the prepreg tape at the same time.
An automatic laminating apparatus comprising a pressure roller disposed behind the heating and pressure roller in a running direction and running integrally with the heating and pressure roller. The pressure roller is
2. The automatic laminating apparatus according to claim 1, which also serves as a cooling means for cooling the prepreg tape.   The automatic laminating apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a pressure plate that is disposed between the heat and pressure roller and the pressure roller and presses the laminated prepreg tape.   The automatic laminating apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising one or more small rollers disposed between the heat and pressure roller and the pressure roller to press the laminated prepreg tape. .   The heating pressure roller and an annular belt wound around the pressure roller and rotating together are provided, and pressure is applied by the heating pressure roller, the pressure roller, and the pressure plate via the annular belt. The automatic laminating apparatus according to claim 3.   An annular belt that is wound around the heating and pressing roller and the pressing roller and rotates together is provided, and the pressing by the heating and pressing roller, the pressing roller, and the small roller is performed via the annular belt. The automatic laminating apparatus according to claim 4.   6. The automatic laminating apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising frictional force reducing means for reducing a frictional force between the pressure plate and the annular belt. The annular belt is
The automatic laminating device according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the automatic laminating device is a foil prepared from a metal material having heat resistance.

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