JP2016083780A - Molding method and molding device for composite material - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a molding method and a molding device for a composite material where mold fastening pressure can be suppressed while reducing molding time.SOLUTION: Provided is a molding method for a composite material where a reinforcing base material is arranged at a cavity at the inside of a molding die capable of opening/closing, a resin is poured into the cavity in a state where mold fastening pressure is applied to the molding die, and the resin is cured to mold a composite material. After the closing of the molding die, the resin is poured into the cavity, when the pressure in the cavity attains the threshold value of the mold fastening pressure or lower, the inside of the cavity is evacuated, and the resin is expanded while exhausting the air (S201 to S207). In this way, the time of vacuum drawing is reduced, and, from the start of the injection of the resin to the completion of the injection thereof, the resin is injected in such a manner that the pressure in the cavity does not exceed the mold fastening pressure.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for molding a composite material and a molding apparatus.

  In recent years, a composite material in which a reinforced base material is impregnated with a resin has been used as an automobile part in order to reduce the weight of an automobile body. As a method for molding a composite material, an RTM (Resin Transfer Molding) molding method suitable for mass production has attracted attention. In the RTM molding method, a reinforced substrate is placed in a cavity in a mold consisting of a pair of lower mold (female mold) and upper mold (male mold) that can be opened and closed, and after closing the mold, resin is injected from the resin injection port. Is injected into a reinforced substrate, and then cured in a cavity.

JP-A-2005-193588

  Before injecting the resin into the cavity, a method is generally used in which a vacuum is drawn and the mold is evacuated and then the resin is injected. There is a problem of becoming longer.

  Further, in order to shorten the manufacturing time, the resin injection pressure can be increased. However, due to the high pressure injection, the pressure in the cavity suddenly increases and the mold opens. Therefore, it is necessary to clamp the die with a high pressure by a press machine, and there is a problem that the press machine becomes large and the equipment cost increases.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and a method of molding a composite material that can reduce the size of a press machine by reducing the clamping pressure while reducing the molding time and An object is to provide a molding apparatus.

  In the method of molding a composite material according to the present invention that achieves the above object, a reinforced base material is disposed in a cavity in a mold that can be opened and closed, and a resin is placed in the cavity in a state where a mold clamping pressure is applied to the mold. It is a molding method in which a composite material is molded by pouring and curing the resin. After the mold is closed, the resin is injected into the cavity, and when the pressure in the cavity reaches a threshold value equal to or lower than the mold clamping pressure, the cavity is evacuated and air is discharged. While diffusing the resin.

  An apparatus for molding a composite material according to the present invention that achieves the above object includes: an openable / closable mold having a cavity in which a reinforcing substrate is disposed; a resin injection portion for injecting resin into the cavity; and the mold A suction part that depressurizes the inside; and a control part that controls the operation of the resin injection part and the suction part based on the pressure in the cavity. The control unit, after closing the mold, injects the resin into the cavity and evacuates the cavity when the pressure in the cavity reaches a threshold value equal to or lower than the mold clamping pressure. The resin is diffused while discharging air.

  According to the method and apparatus for molding a composite material according to the present invention, the vacuuming time is not reduced after the mold is closed and before the resin is injected, so that the time for vacuuming can be reduced and the molding time can be shortened. it can.

  Further, the mold clamping pressure can be suppressed by adjusting the resin injection pressure and the suction pressure for vacuuming after the resin injection so that the pressure in the cavity does not exceed the mold clamping pressure. Since the mold clamping pressure can be suppressed, it is possible to reduce the size of the press and contribute to the reduction of the equipment cost.

It is the schematic of the shaping | molding apparatus of the composite material which concerns on this embodiment. It is the schematic which shows the structure of the resin injection part which concerns on this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the shaping | molding method of the composite material which concerns on this embodiment. It is a subroutine flowchart of the resin injection | pouring and vacuum suction process of FIG. FIG. 5A is a graph showing the time transition of the pressure in the cavity according to this embodiment, and FIG. 5B is a graph showing the time transition of the injection pressure of the resin according to this embodiment. FIG. 5C is a graph showing the time transition of the suction pressure according to this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the motor vehicle part using a composite material.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, the following description does not limit the technical scope and terms used in the claims. In addition, the dimensional ratios in the drawings are exaggerated for convenience of explanation, and may differ from actual ratios.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a molding apparatus 100 for a composite material 200. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of the resin injection unit 30. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a method for forming the composite material 200. FIG. 4 is a subroutine flowchart of the resin injection / vacuum suction step (S103) of FIG. FIG. 5 (A) is a graph showing the time transition of the pressure in the cavity, FIG. 5 (B) is a graph showing the time transition of the injection pressure of the resin, and FIG. It is a graph showing the time transition of the pressure Ps. FIG. 6 is a schematic view of an automobile part using the composite material 200.

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

  The composite material 200 obtained by the molding method and the molding apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment is composed of a reinforced base material 210 and a resin 220. By combining with the reinforced substrate 210, the composite material 200 having higher strength and rigidity than the resin 220 alone is obtained. Further, as shown in FIG. 6, it is combined with a frame part such as a front side member 301 and a pillar 302, which is a part used in a car body 300 (see FIG. 6B), and an outer plate part such as a roof 303. By using the material 200, the weight of the vehicle body 300 can be reduced as compared with the case where a steel material is used.

  The reinforced substrate 210 is formed of a woven sheet such as carbon fiber, glass fiber, or organic fiber, and is placed in the cavity 15 and preformed in a laminated state. In this embodiment, a carbon fiber having a small thermal expansion coefficient, excellent dimensional stability, and little deterioration in mechanical properties even at high temperatures is used. The preform may be performed by another mold other than the mold 10.

  As the resin 220, an epoxy resin, a phenol resin, or the like which is a thermosetting resin is used. In the present embodiment, an epoxy resin having excellent mechanical characteristics and dimensional stability is used. Epoxy resin is mainly a two-component type, and a main agent and a curing agent are mixed and used. The main agent is generally a bisphenol A-type epoxy resin, and the curing agent is an amine-based one. However, the main agent is not particularly limited, and can be appropriately selected according to desired material characteristics.

  With reference to FIG. 1, the molding apparatus 100 according to this embodiment can be outlined as follows: a mold 10 that can be opened and closed in which a cavity 15 in which a carbon fiber 210 (corresponding to a reinforced base material) is disposed, and a mold 10. The press part 20 for applying the mold clamping pressure Pm to the resin 15, the resin injection part 30 for injecting the resin 220 into the cavity 15, and the injection valve 40 (pressure) provided in the resin injection part 30 and capable of adjusting the injection pressure Pi of the resin 220. Equivalent to the adjustment unit). The molding apparatus 100 includes a pressure gauge 50 that measures the pressure Pr in the cavity 15, a suction unit 60 that evacuates the mold 10, a mold temperature adjustment unit 70 that adjusts the temperature of the mold 10, and a molding apparatus. And a control unit 80 for controlling the operation of the entire system 100. The control unit 80 controls the operation of the injection valve 40 and the suction unit 60 based on the pressure Pr in the cavity 15 measured by the pressure gauge 50. Hereinafter, the molding apparatus 100 will be described in detail.

  The mold 10 includes a pair of upper and lower molds 11 (male) and a lower mold 12 (female) that can be opened and closed. A sealable cavity 15 is formed between the upper mold 11 and the lower mold 12. The carbon fiber 210 is placed in the cavity 15 in advance in a state of being laminated and preformed. An injection port 13 is provided above the upper mold 11. The injection port 13 is connected to the resin injection part 30 and the resin 220 is injected into the cavity 15 from above. The resin 220 is impregnated into the inside from the upper surface of the carbon fiber 210. A suction port 14 is provided at the end of the lower mold 12. The suction port 14 is connected to the suction part 60, and the inside of the cavity 15 is evacuated to suck air. In order to seal the inside of the cavity 15, a sealing member or the like may be provided on the mating surface of the upper mold 11 and the lower mold 12.

  The press unit 20 applies a mold clamping pressure Pm to the upper mold 11 of the mold 10. The press unit 20 includes a cylinder 21 that uses fluid pressure such as hydraulic pressure, and adjusts the mold clamping pressure Pm by controlling the hydraulic pressure or the like.

  The resin injection unit 30 includes a main agent tank 31 filled with a main agent, a curing agent tank 32 filled with a curing agent, and tubes 33a and 33b forming a conveyance path for the main agent, the curing agent, and the resin 220 in which they are mixed. 36 (see FIG. 2), a pressure gauge 34 for measuring the injection pressure Pi of the resin 220 into the cavity 15, and an injection valve 40 capable of adjusting the injection pressure Pi of the resin 220. The pressure gauge 34 is arranged in a tube 36 near the injection port 13 in order to measure the injection pressure Pi of the resin 220.

  Referring to FIG. 2, resin injecting unit 30 further includes pumps 35 a and 35 b disposed in tubes 33 a and 33 b connected to main agent tank 31 and hardener tank 32, respectively. The pumps 35a and 35b discharge the main agent and the curing agent toward the injection valve 40 at a constant pressure.

The injection valve 40 is connected to the injection port 13 of the mold 10 through the tube 36. The injection valve 40 has a cylinder 41 and a piston 42. The cylinder 41 has two chambers 41 u and 41 d defined by a base end portion 42 a of the piston 42. By adjusting the fluid pressure such as pneumatic pressure or hydraulic pressure supplied to the two chambers 41u and 41d, the piston 42 moves in the vertical direction in FIG. When the piston 42 moves in the cylinder 41, the opening degree of the flow path of the main agent and the curing agent is adjusted. The injection amount Qi of the resin 220 into the cavity 15 is adjusted by the opening of the injection valve 40, and the injection pressure Pi of the resin 220 conveyed to the mold 10 is adjusted. When the viscosity is 200 [mPa · s] or less in the state before the resin 220 is cured, the injection amount Qi and the injection pressure Pi of the resin 220 into the cavity 15 are Qi ² = A × Pi (A is It is known that there is a correlation expressed by an equation of a value determined by an outflow coefficient, a flow path area, and a fluid density.

  The cylinder 41 has upper suction ports 44a and 44b and lower discharge ports 45a and 45b. When the piston 42 moves upward in the figure, the lower discharge ports 45a and 45b are opened. The main agent and the curing agent discharged from each of the lower discharge ports 45 a and 45 b are mixed to become the resin 220. The resin 220 is discharged to the injection port 13 through the tube 36. When the piston 42 moves downward in the figure, the upper suction ports 44a and 44b and the lower discharge ports 45a and 45b communicate with each other through the recesses 43a and 43b formed in the piston 42. The main agent and the curing agent pass through the recesses 43a and 43b from the lower discharge ports 45a and 45b, and are returned again to the main agent tank 31 and the curing agent tank 32 from the upper suction ports 44a and 44b. By this operation, the main agent and the curing agent circulate in the tubes 33a and 33b at a constant pressure.

  Referring back to FIG. 1, the pressure gauge 50 includes a strain gauge and the like, and is disposed in the mold 10 for measuring the pressure Pr in the cavity 15.

  The suction unit 60 includes a vacuum pump 61, a pressure gauge 62, a suction valve 63, and a detection unit 64. When the pressure Pr in the cavity 15 reaches a threshold value Pc (n) (n = 1, 2,...) Equal to or lower than the mold clamping pressure Pm after the resin 220 is injected, the vacuum pump 61 opens the cavity from the suction port 14. The air in 15 is sucked (evacuated), and the pressure Pr in the cavity 15 is reduced. Here, n is the number of thresholds, and is equal to the number of repetitions of a resin 200 injection / vacuum suction process (step S103) described later. The number of repetitions is one or more, and the value of n is 1 or 2 according to this. The suction pressure Ps of the suction unit 60 is controlled based on the value of the pressure gauge 62.

  The suction valve 63 is installed between the vacuum pump 61 and the suction port 14 and opens and closes the air flow path. Thereby, ON / OFF of the vacuum suction operation by the vacuum pump 61 is switched.

  The detection unit 64 is a transmissive sensor including a light emitting element 64 a and a light receiving element 64 b, for example, and is installed between the cavity 15 and the suction port 14. When the air in the cavity 15 is completely sucked, the resin 220 in the cavity 15 is sucked. When the light path from the light emitting element 64a to the light receiving element 64b is blocked, the detection unit 64 detects the resin 220, the suction valve 63 closes the flow path, and turns off the vacuum suction operation. In this way, the suction unit 60 sucks only air.

  The mold temperature adjusting unit 70 has a heating member 71, heats the mold 10 to the curing temperature of the resin 220, and cures the resin 220 injected into the cavity 15. The heating member is an electric heater and heats the mold 10 directly. The heating member is not limited to this. For example, the temperature of the mold 10 may be adjusted by heating a heat medium such as oil with an electric heater and circulating the heat medium in the mold 10.

  The control unit 80 controls the overall operation of the molding apparatus 100. The control unit 80 includes a storage unit 81, a calculation unit 82, and an input / output unit 83. The input / output unit 83 is connected to the pressure gauges 34, 50, 62, the injection valve 40, the suction unit 60, and the mold temperature adjusting unit 70. The storage unit 81 includes a ROM and a RAM, and stores in advance data such as a threshold value Pc (n) of a pressure Pr in the cavity 15 described later. The calculation unit 82 is mainly composed of a CPU, and includes an injection pressure Pi of the resin 220 from the pressure gauges 34, 50 and 62, a suction pressure Ps of the suction unit 60 and a pressure Pr in the cavity 15 through the input / output unit 83. Receive data. The calculation unit 82 adjusts the piston 42 position of the injection valve 40, the suction pressure Ps of the suction unit 60, the operation of the suction valve 63, and the mold temperature adjustment based on the data read from the storage unit 81 and the data received from the input / output unit 83. The heating temperature of the mold 10 by the part 70 is calculated. A control signal based on the calculated data is transmitted to the injection valve 40, the suction unit 60, and the mold temperature adjusting unit 70 via the input / output unit 83. In this way, the control unit 80 controls the injection pressure Pi of the resin 220, the suction pressure Ps of the suction unit 60, the operation of the suction valve 63, the pressure Pr in the cavity 15, the mold temperature, and the like.

  Hereinafter, the procedure of the molding method of the composite material 200 will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the molding method of the composite material 200 includes a step of arranging the carbon fibers 210 (step S101) and a step of injecting and vacuuming the resin 220 (steps S102, S103, S104: “No”, S105). ), A step of injecting the last resin 220 (step S104: “Yes”, S106, S107), a step of curing the resin 220 (step S108), and a step of demolding (step S109). Hereinafter, each process is explained in full detail. Note that, except for the operations of steps S101, S108, and S109, the control unit 80 executes the processing of each step.

  First, the carbon fibers 210 are laminated, placed in the cavity 15 of the mold 10 and preformed (step S101). At this time, the inner surface of the mold facing the cavity 15 is degreased using a predetermined organic solvent, and is subjected to a mold release process using a mold release agent.

  Next, injection of resin 220 and vacuum suction are performed (step S103). Here, the number of repetitions of the resin 220 injection and vacuum suction steps is n. Note that n is a value of 1 or more. If the air in the cavity 15 is not completely sucked in the nth injection of the resin 220 and vacuum suction, the value of n is incremented by 1 (step S104: “No”, step S105), and the resin 220 is increased. The steps of injection and vacuum suction are repeated (step S103). Here, when the detection unit 64 detects suction of the resin 220, it is determined that the air in the cavity 15 has been completely sucked. By completely sucking the air in the cavity 15, bubbles generated in the resin 220 and on the surface can be prevented, and the mechanical characteristics and design of the molded product can be improved.

  When the air in the cavity 15 is completely sucked (step S104: “Yes”), injection of the last resin 220 is started (step S105). A specified amount of the resin 220 is injected, and the injection of the resin 220 is continued until the cavity 15 is completely filled with the resin 220 (step S107: “No”, step S106). When the resin 220 is completely filled in the cavity 15 (see time t5 in FIG. 5A), the pressure Pr in the cavity 15 becomes maximum. The pressure at this time is Pmax. The threshold value Pc (n) and the maximum value Pmax of the pressure Pr in the cavity 15 are set in advance so that Pc (n) ≦ Pmax ≦ Pm in relation to the mold clamping pressure Pm.

  When the injection of the specified amount of resin 220 is completed (step S107: “Yes”), the resin 220 in the cavity 15 is left until it is sufficiently cured (step S108). The entire mold 10 is temperature-adjusted in advance to the curing temperature of the resin 220 by the mold temperature adjusting unit 70.

  When the molded composite material 200 is removed from the mold, the molding is completed (step S109).

  Next, referring to FIG. 4, the step of injecting and vacuuming the resin 200 (step S103) will be described in detail.

  The mold 10 is closed, and the injection of the resin 220 from the injection port 13 is started (step S201). After the injection of the resin 220 is started, the pressure Pr in the cavity 15 is measured by the pressure gauge 34 within a predetermined time (step S202). In the n-th injection / vacuum suction process of the resin 200, the injection of the resin 220 and the measurement of the pressure Pr in the cavity 15 are continued until the pressure Pr in the cavity 15 reaches the threshold value Pc (n) ( Step S203: “No”, steps S201, S202). When the pressure Pr in the cavity 15 reaches the threshold value Pc (n) (step S203: “Yes”), the injection of the resin 220 is stopped (step S204), and the suction of the air in the cavity 15 from the suction port 14 ( Vacuum evacuation is started (step S205). After starting the evacuation, the pressure Pr in the cavity 15 is measured by the pressure gauge 34 within a predetermined time (step S206). The evacuation and measurement of the pressure Pr in the cavity 15 are continued until the pressure Pr in the cavity 15 is reduced to the specified pressure (step S207: “No”, steps S205 and S206). When the pressure Pr in the cavity 15 is reduced to the specified pressure (step S207: “Yes”), the evacuation is stopped (step S208). Here, the relationship between the nth threshold value and the (n + 1) th threshold value is set in advance so that Pc (n) ≦ Pc (n + 1). However, Pc (n) is a value equal to or lower than the mold clamping pressure Pm. In the present embodiment, the operation of step S103 is repeated twice. Therefore, the specified pressure in step S207 is set to a value that allows the air in the cavity 15 to be completely sucked by vacuum suction twice.

  Next, control of the injection pressure Pi of the resin 220 and the suction pressure Ps of the suction part 60 according to the molding method of the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  Graphs indicated by solid lines in FIGS. 5A, 5 </ b> B, and 5 </ b> C show the pressure Pr in the cavity 15, the injection pressure Pi of the resin 220, and the resin 220 according to the present embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The time transition of the suction pressure Ps of the suction part 60 is shown. Time 0 [sec] to t0 is the mold clamping process, time t0 to t1 is the first resin 220 injection process, time t1 to t2 is the first evacuation process, and time t2 to t3 is the second time Resin 220 injection step, times t3 to t4 are the second evacuation step, times t4 to t5 are the last resin 220 injection step, and after t5 the resin 220 curing step. As shown in FIGS. 5B and 5C, while the resin 220 is injected, the suction pressure Ps of the suction unit 60 is set to 0 [MPa] and the vacuum suction is stopped. Conversely, during vacuum suction, the injection pressure Pi of the resin 220 is set to 0 [MPa] and the injection of the resin 220 is stopped. Thus, the injection of the resin 220 is stopped while the pressure Pr in the cavity 15 is reduced by vacuum suction. Therefore, compared to when vacuum suction is performed while injecting the resin 220, there is no pressurization by injecting the resin 220, so the pressure Pr in the cavity 15 can be reduced in a shorter time. In addition, since the injection of the resin 220 is started again after the pressure Pr in the cavity 15 is lowered, the pressure Pr in the cavity 15 is kept below the mold clamping pressure Pm even when the resin 220 is injected at a high injection pressure Pi. Since the injection speed can be increased, the molding time can be further shortened.

  The graphs indicated by broken lines in FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C are proportional, and the time 0 [sec] to t0 is the mold clamping process, the time t0 to th1 is the vacuuming process, the time Th1 to th2 are steps of injecting the resin 220, and steps after th2 are a step of curing the resin 220. In contrast, before the resin 220 is injected, the air in the cavity 15 is sucked and discharged, the inside of the cavity 15 is evacuated (evacuated), and the injection of the resin 220 is constant until the injection pressure Pi is completed. This embodiment is different from the present embodiment in that high pressure is injected. As shown by the broken line in FIG. 5A, the pressure Pr in the cavity 15 is significantly higher than the mold clamping pressure Pm in proportion to the injection pressure Pi of the resin 220 that is uniformly injected at a high pressure until the completion of injection. It becomes high up to Ph. On the other hand, in this embodiment, by injecting the resin 220 in a plurality of times, the pressure Pr in the cavity 15 is more reliably injected so as not to exceed the mold clamping pressure Pm. Thus, the mold clamping pressure Pm generated by the press unit 20 can be suppressed. By being able to suppress the mold clamping pressure Pm, it is possible to reduce the size of the press machine and contribute to a reduction in equipment costs.

  Further, there is no vacuuming step before the resin 220 is injected. Also in this embodiment, vacuuming is performed after the resin 220 is injected, but after the resin 220 is injected into the cavity 15, the volume of the air in the cavity 15 is reduced by the volume of the resin 220, and the air is compressed. . Since the air compressed by the resin 220 is in a high pressure state, when the suction valve 63 is opened, the differential pressure from the external air pressure is large. Therefore, the air can be sucked in a shorter time, and the molding time can be further shortened.

  Further, in the molding method of the present embodiment, the pressure Pmax in the cavity 15 at the start of curing is lower than the mold clamping pressure Pm, so that the pressure Pr in the cavity 15 is abruptly proportional (as indicated by a broken line in FIG. 5A). Do not fall down. When the pressure drops rapidly, the shrinkage rate of the resin 220 during curing increases. Therefore, according to the molding method of the present embodiment, the molding shrinkage rate of the composite material 200, which is a molded product, is reduced as compared with the case where the high-pressure injection of the resin 220 is made constant as in a comparative manner, and the shape as designed is obtained. It can be obtained stably. Therefore, a molded article of a good quality composite material 200 with high dimensional stability can be obtained.

  Note that the control of the injection pressure Pi of the resin 220 can be appropriately changed according to the material characteristics of the resin 220. For example, the length is appropriately changed according to the curing time from the injection of the resin 220 into the cavity 15 to the curing.

  As described above, in the molding apparatus 100 and the molding method according to the present embodiment, the resin 220 is injected into the cavity 15 after the molding die 10 is closed, and the pressure Pr in the cavity 15 is equal to or lower than the clamping pressure Pm. When the threshold value is reached, the cavity 15 is evacuated to diffuse the resin 220 while discharging air.

  According to the molding apparatus 100 configured as described above and the molding method using the molding apparatus 100, vacuuming is not performed after the molding die 10 is closed and before the resin 220 is injected. The molding time can be shortened. Further, the mold clamping pressure Pm is adjusted by adjusting the injection pressure Pi of the resin 220 and the suction pressure Ps of the vacuum suction after the injection of the resin 220 so that the pressure Pr in the cavity 15 does not exceed the mold clamping pressure Pm. Can be suppressed. By being able to suppress the mold clamping pressure Pm, it is possible to reduce the size of the press machine and contribute to a reduction in equipment costs.

  Further, in the molding apparatus 100 and the molding method according to the present embodiment, the injection of the resin 220 into the cavity 15 and the evacuation of the cavity 15 are repeated twice.

  According to the molding apparatus 100 configured as described above and a molding method using the molding apparatus 100, the pressure Pr in the cavity 15 can be increased by injecting the resin 220 in a plurality of times instead of injecting the resin 220 at a time. It can be controlled more reliably lower. As a result, the mold clamping pressure Pm can be suppressed and the press machine can be further downsized, which can contribute to a reduction in equipment costs. Further, after the resin 220 is injected into the cavity 15, the volume of air in the cavity 15 is reduced by the volume of the resin 220, and the air is compressed. Since the air compressed by the resin 220 is in a high pressure state, when the suction valve 63 is opened, the pressure difference from the external air pressure becomes large, so that the air can be sucked in a shorter time and the molding time can be further shortened. it can.

  Further, in the molding apparatus 100 and the molding method according to the present embodiment, the injection of the resin 220 is interrupted while the cavity 15 is evacuated.

  According to the molding apparatus 100 configured as described above and the molding method using the molding apparatus 100, the injection of the resin 220 is stopped while the pressure Pr in the cavity 15 is reduced by vacuum suction. Therefore, compared to when vacuum suction is performed while injecting the resin 220, there is no pressurization by injecting the resin 220, so the pressure Pr in the cavity 15 can be reduced in a shorter time. In addition, since the injection of the resin 220 is started again after the pressure Pr in the cavity 15 is lowered, the pressure Pr in the cavity 15 is kept below the mold clamping pressure Pm even when the resin 220 is injected at a high injection pressure Pi. Since the injection speed can be increased, the molding time can be further shortened.

  Moreover, in the shaping | molding apparatus 100 and shaping | molding method which concern on this embodiment, the reinforced base material 210 is formed from carbon fiber.

  According to the molding apparatus 100 configured as described above and the molding method using the molding apparatus 100, the use of carbon fiber as a reinforced base material has a small coefficient of thermal expansion, excellent dimensional stability, and mechanical properties even at high temperatures. The composite material 200 with little deterioration in characteristics can be formed.

  In the molding apparatus 100 and the molding method according to the present embodiment, the composite material 200 is used for the automobile parts 301 to 303.

  According to the molding apparatus 100 and the molding method configured as described above, the automobile part of the composite material 200 suitable for mass production can be molded, and the weight of the vehicle body 300 can be reduced.

  As mentioned above, although the shaping | molding method and the shaping | molding apparatus 100 of the composite material 200 were demonstrated through embodiment, this invention is not limited only to the structure demonstrated in embodiment, It changes suitably based on description of a claim. It is possible.

  For example, in the present embodiment, the suction unit 60 sucks air in the cavity 15, but a part of the resin 220 may also be sucked at the same time. Thereby, the flow of the resin 220 in the cavity 15 becomes smooth, and the resin 220 can be diffused and impregnated in a shorter time.

  In the present embodiment, the resin 220 is a thermosetting resin, but a thermoplastic resin may be used. In this case, the mold temperature adjusting unit 70 further includes a cooling member 72, the mold 10 is heated by the heating member 71 while the resin 220 is injected into the cavity 15, and the mold is injected after the resin 220 is injected. 10 is cooled. Thereby, the viscosity of the resin 220 at the time of injecting the resin 220 is decreased to facilitate the impregnation of the carbon fibers 210, and the resin 220 can be cured by cooling after the injection.

  In this embodiment, the pressure Pr in the cavity 15 is measured by the pressure gauge 50, but the measurement method is not limited to this, and the injection pressure Pi of the resin 220, the size of the injection port 13, It may be estimated from the volume.

10 Mold,
11 Upper mold,
12 Lower mold,
13 Inlet,
14 Suction port,
15 cavities,
20 Press department,
30 resin injection part,
31 Main agent tank,
32 Hardener tank,
33a, 33b, 36 tubes,
34, 50, 62 Pressure gauge,
35a, 35b pump,
40 Injection valve (pressure adjustment part),
41 cylinders,
42 piston,
60 suction part,
70 Mold temperature controller,
80 control unit,
100 molding equipment,
200 composite materials,
210 carbon fiber (reinforced substrate),
220 resin,
300 body,
Pm mold clamping pressure,
The pressure in the Pr cavity,
Pi injection pressure,
Ps suction pressure,
Pc (n) threshold,
Pmax Maximum value of the pressure in the cavity,
Qi injection amount.

Claims (12)

A molding method in which a reinforced base material is disposed in a cavity in a mold that can be opened and closed, a resin is injected into the cavity in a state where a clamping pressure is applied to the mold, and the resin is cured to mold a composite material. Because
After closing the mold, the resin is injected into the cavity,
A method for molding a composite material, wherein when the pressure in the cavity reaches a threshold value equal to or lower than the mold clamping pressure, the air in the cavity is evacuated and the resin is diffused while discharging the air.   The method for molding a composite material according to claim 1, wherein the injection of the resin into the cavity and the evacuation of the cavity are repeated at least twice.   The method for molding a composite material according to claim 1, wherein the resin injection is interrupted while the cavity is evacuated.   The method for molding a composite material according to claim 1, wherein when the inside of the cavity is evacuated, a part of the resin is also sucked at the same time.   The method for molding a composite material according to claim 1, wherein the reinforced base material is formed of carbon fiber.   The method for molding a composite material according to claim 1, wherein the composite material is used for an automobile part. A mold that can be opened and closed in which a cavity for placing a reinforced substrate is formed,
A resin injection portion for injecting resin into the cavity;
A pressure adjusting unit provided in the resin injecting unit and capable of adjusting an injection pressure of the resin;
A suction part for decompressing the inside of the mold;
A control unit that controls the operation of the pressure adjusting unit and the suction unit based on the pressure in the cavity;
The control unit, after closing the mold, to inject the resin into the cavity,
An apparatus for molding a composite material, wherein when the pressure in the cavity reaches a threshold value equal to or lower than a mold clamping pressure, the air in the cavity is evacuated and the resin is diffused while discharging the air.   The composite material molding apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the control unit controls the injection of the resin into the cavity and the evacuation of the cavity at least twice.   The composite material molding apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the control unit stops the operation of the resin injection unit while evacuating the cavity.   The said control part is a shaping | molding apparatus of the composite material of any one of Claims 7-9 which also attracts | sucks a part of said resin simultaneously when evacuating the inside of the said cavity.   The said reinforcement base material is a shaping | molding apparatus of the composite material of any one of Claims 7-10 formed from carbon fiber.   The composite material molding apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the composite material is a material for automobile parts.