JP2019155901A - Impregnation apparatus, impregnation method and processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a simple-structured apparatus capable of uniformly impregnating a reinforcement fiber bundle with a resin.SOLUTION: A horn 8 constituting supersonic wave application means is arranged approximately at a center of a melting tank 2, and a supersonic oscillation is applied to a CF (carbon fiber bundle) 6 which is a reinforcement fiber bundle by using the horn 8. By this, a molten resin 4 around the CF6 receives the supersonic oscillation, a temperature of the molten resin 4 is elevated, and a viscosity of the molten resin 4 is lowered, hence the molten resin 4 can enter successfully and uniformly between each fiber (filament) of the CF6 to get the CF6 uniformly impregnated with the resin.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an impregnation apparatus and an impregnation method for impregnating a reinforcing fiber bundle with a thermoplastic resin, and a processing apparatus for processing a reinforcing fiber bundle impregnated with a thermoplastic resin by the impregnation apparatus.

  Conventionally, a ribbon-like resin bundle or aliphatic polyamide-based fiber bundle in a flat state that is aligned in one direction by opening and widening a unidirectional reinforcing fiber bundle such as carbon fiber, glass fiber, aramid fiber, etc. There is provided a unidirectional prepreg impregnated with a thermoplastic resin such as a resin or a polyethylene terephthalate resin. In addition, the unidirectional reinforcing fiber bundle before opening may be impregnated with a resin and then opened. At this time, as described in Patent Document 1, for example, it has been proposed to form a unidirectional prepreg by passing a unidirectional reinforcing fiber bundle through a molten resin obtained by melting a thermoplastic resin.

JP 2014-145038 A (paragraph 0005 etc.)

  By the way, when the unidirectional reinforcing fiber bundle is passed through the molten resin as described in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to maintain the temperature of the molten resin at a predetermined temperature or higher in order to reduce the viscosity of the molten resin. However, in order to maintain the temperature of the molten resin, the apparatus configuration becomes large and expensive, and the unidirectional reinforcing fiber bundle is simply passed through the molten resin at a predetermined temperature or higher. Since the phenomenon that the resin does not efficiently enter between the fibers (filaments) occurs, the resin infiltrated between the fibers (filaments) and the non-infiltrated parts, and the impregnation state of the unidirectional reinforcing fiber bundle is not uniform There is a problem of becoming. Furthermore, in the case of impregnating a reinforcing fiber bundle called a cloth material in which fibers (filaments) are woven into a mesh shape, the cloth material has been impregnated by passing it through a molten resin. Similar problems can arise. In addition, since the resin impregnation is not uniform in the conventional impregnation method described above, when processing the reinforcing fiber bundle around a mold material having a predetermined shape, the thermoplastic resin is applied again when it is wound around the mold material. However, this is carried out by storing it in an autoclave, which is a heating pressure vessel, and pressurizing and heating, and there is a problem that the apparatus configuration becomes large and the processing cost increases.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to allow a reinforcing fiber bundle to be uniformly impregnated with a resin by an apparatus having a simple and inexpensive configuration. Another object is to enable the impregnated reinforcing fiber bundle to be processed into a desired shape.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, an impregnation apparatus according to the present invention is an impregnation apparatus for impregnating a reinforcing fiber bundle with a thermoplastic resin, wherein the reinforcing fiber bundle has an introduction portion into which the reinforcing fiber bundle is introduced. The reinforcing fiber bundle is formed of a melting tank in which an outlet for leading the reinforcing fiber bundle to the outside is formed and filled with a molten resin in which a thermoplastic resin is melted, and the reinforcing fiber bundle introduced from the introduction portion. Moving means for moving to the outlet in a state of being immersed in the molten resin; and ultrasonic applying means for applying an ultrasonic wave to the reinforcing fiber bundle immersed in the molten resin to impregnate the reinforcing fiber bundle with resin. The molten resin in the melting tank is maintained at a temperature equal to or higher than a melting temperature of the thermoplastic resin and equal to or lower than a resin decomposition temperature.

  According to this configuration, the reinforcing fiber bundle is moved by the moving means while being immersed in the molten resin of the thermoplastic resin in the melting tank, and ultrasonic vibration is applied to the moving reinforcing fiber bundle by the ultrasonic applying means. Then, the molten resin around the reinforcing fiber bundle to which the ultrasonic vibration is applied is also subjected to the ultrasonic vibration, and the temperature of the molten resin rises due to the ultrasonic vibration, and the molten resin is locally generated around the reinforcing fiber bundle. The viscosity is lowered, the reinforcing fiber bundle is resonated, the wettability is improved, and the molten resin easily enters between the fibers (filaments) constituting the reinforcing fiber bundle. At this time, since the temperature of the molten resin in the melting tank is maintained at a temperature equal to or higher than the melting temperature of the thermoplastic resin and equal to or lower than the resin decomposition temperature, the molten resin can be maintained in high quality. Therefore, a large-scale device for temperature control of the molten resin is not required as in the conventional case where the reinforcing fiber bundle is passed through the molten resin and impregnated, and between the fibers (filaments) of the reinforcing fiber bundle. The molten resin can be introduced well and uniformly, and the reinforcing fiber bundle can be uniformly impregnated.

  Moreover, it is good to further provide the press means provided in the outer side of the said outlet of the said melting tank, and presses the said reinforcing fiber bundle pulled out from the said outlet. According to this configuration, the thickness of the reinforcing fiber bundle impregnated with the resin can be easily adjusted to a predetermined value by pressing the reinforcing fiber bundle from above and below by the pressing means outside the outlet of the melting tank. it can. Further, even when the reinforcing fiber bundle is a unidirectional reinforcing fiber and is not opened, the impregnated resin is cured by pressing from above and below by the pressing means after impregnating the unidirectional reinforcing fiber bundle. The unidirectional reinforcing fiber bundle can be opened.

  Further, a discharge port for discharging the molten resin in the melting tank to the outside and holding a predetermined amount of the molten resin in the melting tank may be formed in the melting tank. According to this configuration, the molten resin in the melting tank can be always replaced with a new one, and deterioration of the molten resin in the melting tank can be prevented.

  The ultrasonic wave application means may apply ultrasonic waves to the reinforcing fiber bundle from above and / or below. According to this configuration, according to the installation space of the ultrasonic application means, the ultrasonic application means can be appropriately disposed so that ultrasonic waves can be applied to the reinforcing fiber bundle from above and / or below, and the versatility is excellent. .

  Also, a melting tank having an introduction part into which the reinforcing fiber bundle is introduced and having a lead-out port through which the introduced reinforcing fiber bundle is led out and filled with a molten resin in which a thermoplastic resin is melted. And a moving means for moving the reinforcing fiber bundle introduced from the introduction part to the outlet in a state where the reinforcing fiber bundle is immersed in the molten resin, and arranged outside the outlet of the melting tank. Provided with ultrasonic application means for impregnating the molten resin adhered to the reinforcing fiber bundle by applying ultrasonic waves to the reinforcing fiber bundle immersed in the molten resin and led out from the outlet Good. According to this configuration, the ultrasonic wave is applied to the reinforcing fiber bundle immersed in the molten resin in the melting tank and led to the outside of the melting tank from the outlet through the ultrasonic application means, and the melt adhered to the reinforcing fiber bundle. Ultrasonic vibration is also applied to the resin to raise the temperature and lower the viscosity, and the adhered molten resin can be introduced into each fiber (filament) of the reinforcing fiber bundle in a good and uniform manner. Can be impregnated uniformly.

  The melting tank is preferably sealed except for the introduction part and the outlet. This prevents the molten resin in the melting tank from coming into contact with the air and prevents oxidation, so that the molten resin can be reliably prevented from being deteriorated, and a high-quality thermoplastic resin can be impregnated into the reinforcing fiber bundle. It becomes possible.

  The impregnation method according to the present invention is an impregnation method in which a reinforcing fiber bundle is impregnated with a thermoplastic resin. The molten resin is filled with a molten resin obtained by melting a thermoplastic resin, and the molten resin is melted at a melting temperature of the thermoplastic resin. The lead-out port formed in the melting tank while maintaining the resin decomposition temperature or lower, introducing the reinforcing fiber bundle into the melting tank from the introduction portion, and immersing the introduced reinforcing fiber bundle in the molten resin. In the molten resin, ultrasonic waves are applied to the reinforcing fiber bundle by ultrasonic wave applying means to impregnate the reinforcing fiber bundle with resin.

  According to this configuration, when ultrasonic vibration is applied to the reinforcing fiber bundle that is moving while being immersed in the molten resin obtained by melting the thermoplastic resin in the melting tank, the ultrasonic vibration is generated. The molten resin around the applied reinforcing fiber bundle is also subjected to ultrasonic vibration, the temperature of the molten resin rises due to ultrasonic vibration, and the viscosity of the molten resin locally decreases around the reinforcing fiber bundle, and the reinforcing fiber When the bundle resonates and the wettability improves, and the molten resin easily enters between the fibers (filaments) constituting the reinforcing fiber bundle, so that the reinforcing fiber bundle is passed through the molten resin and impregnated as before. This eliminates the need for a large-scale device for temperature control of the molten resin, and allows the molten resin to enter the fibers (filaments) of the reinforcing fiber bundle in a uniform and uniform manner. Can be impregnated in That. Here, since the temperature of the molten resin in the melting tank is maintained at a temperature equal to or higher than the melting temperature of the thermoplastic resin and equal to or lower than the resin decomposition temperature, the molten resin can be maintained in high quality.

  Further, the reinforcing fiber bundle drawn out from the outlet port may be pressed from above and below by the pressing means outside the melting tank. According to this configuration, the thickness of the reinforcing fiber bundle impregnated with the resin can be easily adjusted to a predetermined value by pressing the reinforcing fiber bundle drawn from the outlet of the melting tank from above and below by the pressing means. it can. Further, even when the reinforcing fiber bundle is a unidirectional reinforcing fiber and is not opened, the impregnated resin is cured by pressing from above and below by the pressing means after impregnating the unidirectional reinforcing fiber bundle. The unidirectional reinforcing fiber bundle can be opened.

  Also, a molten resin obtained by melting a thermoplastic resin is filled in the molten layer, the reinforcing fiber bundle is introduced from the introduction portion, and the introduced reinforcing fiber bundle is immersed in the molten resin and formed in the melting tank. It is possible to move to the outlet, and to apply the ultrasonic wave to the reinforcing fiber bundle by ultrasonic applying means outside the outlet, so that the molten resin adhering to the reinforcing fiber bundle is impregnated. According to this method, the ultrasonic wave is applied to the reinforcing fiber bundle immersed in the molten resin in the melting tank and led to the outside of the melting tank from the outlet through the ultrasonic application means, and the melt adhered to the reinforcing fiber bundle. Ultrasonic vibration is also applied to the resin to raise the temperature and lower the viscosity, and the adhered molten resin can be introduced into each fiber (filament) of the reinforcing fiber bundle in a good and uniform manner. Can be impregnated uniformly.

  A processing apparatus for processing the bundle of reinforcing fibers impregnated with a thermoplastic resin by the impregnation apparatus described above, and having a predetermined outer shape that is rotatably disposed near the outlet and outside the melting tank. And a winding means for pulling out the impregnated reinforcing fiber bundle from the outlet and winding it around the mold material by rotating the mold material, the reinforcing fibers having a shape corresponding to the outer shape of the mold material The bundle should be processed. In this way, the reinforcing fiber bundle in which the thermoplastic resin is uniformly impregnated by ultrasonic vibration can be wound around the mold material by the winding means, so that the resin is applied again and impregnated before winding as before. Even without the use of an autoclave, the reinforcing fiber bundle can be processed into a predetermined shape simply by winding the reinforcing fiber uniformly impregnated with resin around the mold material by the winding means. The reinforcing fiber bundle can be processed by the apparatus having the configuration.

  Further, a detection means for detecting the temperature of the reinforcing fiber bundle wound around the mold material by the winding means, a distance variable means for moving the mold material to vary the distance from the outlet to the mold material, and the detection means The temperature of the molten resin to be filled in the melting tank so that it does not drop below the melting temperature of the impregnated thermoplastic resin based on the detected temperature by the extraction means, and the winding means pulls out the reinforcing fiber bundle from the outlet It is desirable to further comprise control means for controlling at least one of a speed and a distance from the outlet to the mold member by the distance varying means. According to such a configuration, when the reinforcing fiber bundle is wound around the mold material by the winding means, the resin impregnated in the reinforcing fiber bundle can be wound with the temperature of the impregnated resin kept at the melting temperature or higher. Since it can be wound around the mold as it is, it is possible to easily wind the impregnated reinforcing fiber bundle.

  Also, the heating is disposed near the winding start position of the reinforcing fiber bundle impregnated by the winding means, and heats the reinforcing fiber bundle to a temperature higher than the melting temperature of the impregnated thermoplastic resin to dissolve excess thermoplastic resin. And means for removing the droplets of the thermoplastic resin that is disposed in the vicinity of the heating means and melted by the heating of the heating means. In this case, the excess thermoplastic resin adhering to the bundle of reinforcing fibers before winding is melted by heating by the heating means, and the excess thermoplastic resin droplets melted by the removing means are removed by suction or the like. The wound reinforcing fiber bundle can be finished in a good state.

  Further, the shape of the mold material is a cylindrical shape such as a cylinder, a square tube, a column, a prism, a cone, or a pyramid, or a columnar shape, and may be removed after the winding of the reinforcing fiber bundle is completed. In this manner, the resin bundle impregnated by cooling the reinforcing fiber bundle wound around the mold material is cured, and then the mold material is removed to form the reinforcing fiber bundle processed into a shape corresponding to the outer shape of the mold material. A workpiece having a desired shape can be obtained.

  According to the impregnation apparatus and method of the present invention, by applying ultrasonic vibration to the reinforcing fiber bundle by the ultrasonic wave application means, the molten resin around the reinforcing fiber bundle is also subjected to ultrasonic vibration and the temperature of the molten resin. Since the viscosity can be lowered by increasing the viscosity, the molten resin can easily enter between the fibers (filaments) constituting the reinforcing fiber bundle, and impregnating the reinforcing fiber bundle through the molten resin as in the past. Good quality thermoplastic resin between the fibers (filaments) of the reinforcing fiber bundle by using a simple and inexpensive device without the need for a large-scale device for temperature control of the molten resin. And can be impregnated uniformly into the reinforcing fiber bundle.

  According to the processing apparatus according to the present invention, it is not necessary to apply and impregnate the resin again before winding as in the prior art, and even if the autoclave is not used, the reinforcing fiber that is uniformly applied to the resin is wound. The reinforcing fiber bundle can be processed into a desired shape simply by wrapping around the mold material by means, and the reinforcing fiber bundle can be processed with an apparatus having a simple and inexpensive configuration.

It is a front view which shows the outline of the impregnation apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a top view of FIG. It is a side view of FIG. It is a front view which shows the outline of the impregnation apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 5 is a partial exploded view of FIG. 4. It is a partial top view of the impregnation apparatus which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 7 is a front view of FIG. 6. It is the schematic of the processing apparatus which concerns on 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view of the processing apparatus of FIG. It is a perspective view of the workpiece by the processing apparatus of FIG. It is the schematic of the processing apparatus which concerns on 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic of the modification of the processing apparatus shown in FIG.

<First Embodiment>
An impregnation apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The impregnation apparatus 1 in the present embodiment is configured as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. That is, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a rectangular parallelepiped melting tank 2 having an open top surface is provided, and inlets (corresponding to “introducing portions” in the present invention) are provided on the left and right sides of the melting tank 2 facing each other. 2a and outlet 2b are formed, and the molten resin 4 is filled into the melting tank 2 by the filling means 3. The molten resin 4 is obtained by melting a thermoplastic resin such as a polyolefin resin, an aliphatic polyamide resin, or a polyethylene terephthalate resin. The temperature of the molten resin 4 in the melting tank 2 is the melting temperature of the thermoplastic resin. It is kept above the temperature and below the resin decomposition temperature. Further, a discharge port 2c for discharging the molten resin 4 to the outside is formed at a position below the outlet port 2b on the left side surface of the melting tank 2, and the molten resin 4 is discharged from the discharge port 2c. The amount of the molten resin 4 inside is kept almost constant.

  A strip-like carbon fiber bundle (hereinafter referred to as CF) 6 that is a reinforcing fiber bundle in the present invention is wound around the CF bobbin 5 arranged on the right side of the melting tank 2, and the CF 6 is pulled out from the CF bobbin 5. The CF 6 introduced into the melting tank 2 by the moving means 7 that is introduced into the melting tank 2 through the inlet 2a and is rotatably arranged in the melting tank 2 is It is moved to the outlet 2b while being immersed in the molten resin 4 on the way.

  In addition, a horn 8 that constitutes an ultrasonic wave application means is disposed at substantially the center of the melting tank 2, and the lower end of the horn 8 is slightly separated from the CF 6 so as not to contact the CF 6 immersed in the molten resin 4 (from 0 mm). The molten resin 4 is heated by ultrasonic vibration by the horn 8 to reduce the viscosity of the molten resin 4, and the CF6 immersed in the molten resin 4 having the reduced viscosity is impregnated with the resin. The pressing means 9 provided outside the outlet 2b of the melting tank 2 presses the CF 6 drawn out from the outlet 2b from above and below with a predetermined pressing force, and the CF 6 impregnated with the resin is adjusted to a predetermined thickness. Thus, a unidirectional prepreg (UD tape) is formed, and the unidirectional prepreg is moved in the direction of the arrow in FIG. Here, as is well known, the ultrasonic wave application means includes not only the above-described horn 8 but also an ultrasonic vibrator to which the horn 8 is connected, and the horn 8 moves up and down as indicated by an arrow in FIG. The position can be adjusted.

  The CF 6 may be wound around the CF bobbin 5 in an already opened state, or may be wound around the CF bobbin 5 without being opened, and is not opened. In this case, the CF 6 can be opened by applying a predetermined pressing force to the CF 6 from above and below by the pressing means 9 before the impregnated resin is cured outside the outlet 2b of the melting tank 2.

  By the way, on the left side of the outlet 2b of the melting tank 2, moving means (not shown) for pulling the CF 6 and moving it in the melting tank 2 is disposed, and a plurality of rollers 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, and 7e serve as guides for the moving CF6. At this time, CF 6 is pushed down by the rollers 7 c and 7 d disposed on the right side and the left side of the horn 8 with the horn 8 among the rollers, and is immersed in the molten resin 4. A predetermined tension is applied to the CF 6 moved to the left, and the vertical position of the horn 8 is adjusted with the tension applied, and the lower end of the horn 8 is positioned slightly above the CF 6. Ultrasonic vibration in the vertical direction is applied to the CF 6.

  Then, the lower end position of the horn 8 is adjusted by moving up and down, and the lower surface of the horn 8 is disposed at a position away from the CF 6 in a state where it is immersed in the molten resin 4 and applied with a predetermined tension. In this state, ultrasonic vibration is applied to the CF 6 by the horn 8, and the molten resin 4 around the CF 6 is also subjected to ultrasonic vibration, the temperature rises and the viscosity decreases, and the CF 6 resonates and gets wet by the ultrasonic vibration. As a result, the resin of the molten resin 4 is satisfactorily and uniformly impregnated between the CF6 fibers (filaments) moved through the molten resin 4. Thereafter, the impregnated CF6 is sequentially led out to the outside from the outlet 2b of the melting tank 2, and the CF6 impregnated outside the outlet 2b is pressed at a predetermined pressure by the pressing means 9, and further moved by the moving means in FIG. It is moved to the left indicated by the arrow. At this time, the CF 6 is cooled by a cooling means (not shown) and taken up in a state where the impregnated resin is cured.

  By the way, the reinforcing fiber bundle is not limited to the above-described CF (carbon fiber bundle) 6 but may be formed of reinforcing fibers such as glass fiber and aramid fiber. Further, as the molten resin 4, thermosetting resins such as epoxy resins and unsaturated polyester resins, aliphatic polyamide resins, polyethylene terephthalate resins, polyether ketone ketone (PEKK), polyether ether ketone (PEEK), polycarbonate ( It is desirable to use a matrix resin such as a thermoplastic resin such as PC) and polypropylene (PP), and the oxidation reaction of the molten resin 4 proceeds at a temperature higher than the melting temperature at which the molten resin 4 in the melting tank 2 is not cured. In order to maintain the temperature below the resin decomposition temperature at which weight loss occurs, it is preferable that the temperature of the molten resin 4 be controlled by providing heaters on the front and back side surfaces and the upper surface of the melting tank 2.

  The horn 8 preferably has a resonance frequency of about 15 kHz to about 60 kHz and a vibration amplitude of about 2 μm to about 300 μm. The material of the horn 8 is titanium, titanium alloy, iron, stainless steel. Various metal materials generally used for forming an ultrasonic resonator, such as aluminum alloys such as aluminum and duralumin, may be used.

  Therefore, according to the first embodiment described above, by applying ultrasonic vibration to the CF 6 that is a unidirectional reinforcing fiber bundle by the horn 8, the molten resin 4 around the CF 6 receives ultrasonic vibration, and the CF 6 Since the temperature of the surrounding molten resin 4 can be locally increased by ultrasonic vibration to reduce its viscosity, and CF6 also resonates with ultrasonic vibration to improve wettability, each fiber constituting CF6 The melted resin 4 having a reduced viscosity is likely to enter between the (filaments), and a large scale for controlling the temperature of the melted resin 4 as in the case of impregnating the melted resin through the unidirectional reinforcing fiber bundle as in the past. With a simple configuration, the molten resin can be made to enter the CF6 fibers (filaments) satisfactorily and uniformly, and the CF6 contains the resin uniformly. It can be.

  Moreover, since CF6 is pressed from the upper and lower sides by the pressing means 9 outside the outlet 2b of the melting tank 2, the thickness of the CF6 impregnated with the resin can be easily adjusted to a predetermined value. Further, even when CF6 is impregnated with resin without being opened, it is possible to open CF6 before the impregnated resin is cured by pressing from above and below by pressing means 9 after CF6 is impregnated. it can.

  Furthermore, by forming the discharge port 2 c in the melting tank 2, the molten resin 4 in the melting tank 2 can be always replaced with a new one, and deterioration of the molten resin 4 in the melting tank 2 can be prevented.

Second Embodiment
An impregnation apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The impregnation apparatus 11 shown in this embodiment is different from the first embodiment described above, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a horn constituting ultrasonic application means from the lower surface of the melting tank 2 having a rectangular parallelepiped shape. 12 is a point in which ultrasonic vibration is applied from below to the CF 6 which is a reinforcing fiber bundle inserted into the melting tank 2 and immersed in the molten resin 4 in the melting tank 2. The melting tank 2 is not limited to a rectangular parallelepiped shape.

  More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a rectangular opening 2d is formed on the lower surface of the melting tank 2, and a cylinder 13 is welded to the opening 2d. The flange 12 a provided on the outer periphery of the horn 12 is sandwiched between the horn 12 and the horn 12 is attached to the melting tank 2 with the upper half of the horn 12 inserted into the melting tank 2.

  At this time, the outer periphery of the upper half of the cylindrical body 13 is partly cut to form an outer stepped portion 13a, and the outer cylindrical stepped portion 13a is in contact with the peripheral edge of the opening 2d on the lower surface of the melting tank 2. 13 is inserted into the opening 2d, and the fitting portion between the lower surface of the melting tank 2 and the cylindrical body 13 is welded to attach the cylindrical body 13 to the lower surface of the melting tank 2. Further, the inner periphery of the cylindrical body 13 is partially cut from the lower surface side to form an inner stepped portion 13b, and the outer peripheral flange 12a of the horn 12 is brought into contact with the inner stepped portion 13b via a packing 15a attached to the upper surface. Arranged in contact.

  The presser plate 14 is arranged so that the lower half of the horn 12 is inserted into the opening 14a of the presser plate 14 with respect to the horn 12 with the flange 12a in contact with the inner step 13b. The flange 12a of the horn 12 is brought into contact with the upper surface of the presser plate 14 via the packing 15b attached to the lower surface thereof, and a plurality of flanges 12a are arranged at positions outside the flange 12a. The presser plate 14 is coupled to the cylindrical body 13 by the individual bolts 16, and the horn 12 is attached to the lower surface of the melting tank 2 in a watertight state.

  Here, the flange 12a of the horn 12 is provided at a nodal point where the vertical amplitude of the horn 12 becomes zero, and the flange 12a provided at the nodal point is fixed to the cylinder 13 so that the horn 12 Even if 12 vibrates, the flange 12a and the cylinder 13 are not vibrated and displaced, and the vibration of the horn 12 is not transmitted to the melting tank 2.

  By the way, as shown in FIG. 4, the rollers 7c and 7d in the melting tank 2 are positioned on the right and left sides of the horn 12 inserted into the melting tank 2, and are pushed down by both rollers 7c and 7d to be predetermined. The rollers 7c and 7d are arranged so that the tension of the roller 6 is applied to the CF6, and the rollers 7c and 7d can be moved up and down so that the tension and the distance between the CF6 and the upper surface of the horn 12 can be adjusted. It is arranged.

  In this way, the upper end of the horn 12 is placed slightly apart from the CF 6 (more than 0 mm and not more than 10 mm or less) with the tension applied to the CF 6, and ultrasonic vibrations in the vertical direction are applied to the vicinity of the CF 6 by the horn 12. By applying ultrasonic vibration in the vicinity of CF6, molten resin 4 around CF6 is subjected to ultrasonic vibration, and the temperature of molten resin 4 around CF6 is locally increased by ultrasonic vibration to lower its viscosity. Furthermore, CF6 resonates with ultrasonic vibrations to improve the wettability, and CF6 penetrates molten resin 4 between each fiber (filament) in a good and uniform manner. Resin can be impregnated.

  Therefore, according to the second embodiment described above, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained. In addition, when the horn 12 cannot be inserted into the melting tank 2 from the upper surface side of the melting tank 2 due to installation space restrictions, the horn is viewed from the lower surface side of the melting tank 2 as shown in FIGS. 12 can be inserted into the melting tank 2 and is effective.

(Modification)
By the way, as a modification of the first and second embodiments, as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIGS. 1 and 4, the ultrasonic application means 20 is connected to the horn 8, outside the outlet 2 b of the melting tank 2. 12 may be provided instead. The ultrasonic application means 20 may have a general configuration including a horn 20a that resonates with an ultrasonic transducer and a support 20b that supports the CF 6 led out from the outlet 2b from below. In this way, when the CF 6 wound around the CF bobbin 5 is not opened, the ultrasonic wave is applied by the ultrasonic wave application means 20 to open the CF 6 impregnated with the resin. In this case, the pressing means 9 is not always necessary and the pressing means 9 may not be provided, but the pressing means 9 may be provided in parallel on the downstream side of the movement of the CF 6 of the ultrasonic wave applying means 20.

<Third Embodiment>
An impregnation apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The impregnation apparatus 11a according to the present embodiment is different from the first embodiment described above in that a closed-type melting tank in which the upper surface opening of the melting tank 2 shown in FIG. 1 is closed is used.

  That is, in FIGS. 6 and 7, reference numeral 31 denotes a rectangular parallelepiped melting tank that is long in the left-right direction, and a left-right space 31a is formed therein, and a molten resin 37 in which a thermoplastic resin is melted is shown in FIG. As shown by the thin line arrows in FIG. 7, the space 31a flows from the right to the left direction, and a band-like CF (carbon fiber bundle) 32, which is a reinforcing fiber bundle, is shown by the thick line arrows in FIGS. Thus, the space 31a is moved from right to left. Furthermore, an introduction path (introduction portion of the present invention) 31b for introducing CF32 into the space 31a is formed at the right end of the upper surface of the melting tank 31 so as to incline obliquely downward to the left and communicate with the space 31a. A filling port 31 c filled with the molten resin 37 is formed on the right side surface of the melting tank 31 so as to communicate with the space 31 a, and an outlet 31 d for leading the impregnated CF 32 to the outside is formed on the left side of the melting tank 31. An insertion opening 31e for inserting the horn 33 constituting the ultrasonic wave application means into the space 31a is formed on the surface so as to communicate with the space 31a at the center of the upper surface of the melting tank 31. Has been.

  Here, two O-rings 34 are mounted on the outer periphery of the horn 33 to be inserted into the insertion opening 31e, and both the O-rings 34 are disposed at the upper and lower ends of the insertion opening 31e, and are in a watertight state. The horn 33 is inserted into the insertion opening 31e, and the lower end of the horn 33 is disposed in the space 31a. In addition, two flow paths, an upper flow path 31c1 and a lower flow path 31c2, are formed at the right end of the melting tank 31, and the filling port 31c enters the space 31a via the two flow paths, the upper flow path 31c1 and the lower flow path 31c2. The upper and lower flow paths 31c1 and 31c2 are arranged so that the molten resin 37 that is communicated and filled from the filling port 31c flows through the upper and lower flow paths 31c1 and 31c2 and merges on the left side of the lower end of the introduction path 31b. Has been.

  In the space 31a, on the left side of the lower end of the introduction path 31b and to the right side of the outlet 31d, there are arranged cylindrical guide bodies 35a, 35b in the front-rear direction for guiding the movement of the CF 32, and these guide bodies 35a. , 35b, the lower end of the horn 33 is disposed above the CF32 guided by 35b and not in contact with the CF32 (position of a distance greater than 0 mm and less than 10 mm), and near the CF32 by ultrasonic vibration of the horn 33. The molten resin 37 is heated to reduce its viscosity, and the resin is impregnated with CF 6 immersed in the molten resin 37 whose viscosity is reduced. At this time, the CF 32 resonates with the ultrasonic vibration of the horn 33 to improve the wettability.

  By the way, the outlet 31d is formed so as to gradually narrow toward the outside, and an attachment 36 having an opening 36a is attached to the left side of the melting tank 31 and outside the outlet 31d. The opening 36a is set to a size that allows the CF 32 to be molded into a predetermined cross-sectional shape while removing excess resin adhering to the CF 32, and the CF 32 impregnated from the opening 36a of the attachment 36 is molded into a predetermined cross-sectional shape by the opening 36a. And derived to the outside. Note that the molten resin 37 in the space 31a leaks out from the opening 36a of the attachment 36 as the CF 32 is led out, and the molten resin 37 leaked from the opening 36a is installed below the attachment 36. Stored in the storage container 38.

  Thus, since the melting tank 31 is sealed except for the introduction path 31b, the filling port 31c, the outlet port 31d, and the insertion opening 31e, the molten resin filled in the melting tank 31 is difficult to touch the air, Moreover, the molten resin 37 filled in the space 31a through the filling port 31c is accurately maintained at a temperature equal to or higher than the melting temperature and equal to or lower than the resin decomposition temperature at which the oxidation reaction of the resin proceeds due to the high temperature and the weight change starts. It is possible to prevent the molten resin 37 from being altered.

  Therefore, according to the above-described third embodiment, the molten resin 37 in the melting tank 31 is less likely to come into contact with air and oxidation can be suppressed, and the temperature of the molten resin 37 in the melting tank 31 can be decomposed at the melting temperature or higher. Since it can be accurately maintained below the temperature, it is possible to impregnate the reinforcing fiber bundle with a high-quality thermoplastic resin by preventing deterioration of the molten resin.

  In addition, the structure which can be attached or detached may be sufficient as the upper surface and right-and-left side surface of the melting tank 31. FIG. Moreover, the shape of the melting tank 31 is not restricted to what is shown in FIG. 6, FIG. 7, What is necessary is just the shape sealed so that the molten resin inside a melting tank becomes difficult to touch air.

  For example, in the first and second embodiments described above, the case where CF6, which is a unidirectional reinforcing fiber bundle, is impregnated has been described. However, a reinforcing fiber bundle referred to as a cloth material in which fibers (filaments) are woven in a mesh shape, In the case of impregnating other reinforcing fiber bundles, the above impregnation apparatuses 1 and 11 can be applied. At this time, the cloth material need not be opened. Moreover, it can replace with the strip | belt-shaped CF (carbon fiber bundle) 6 which is a reinforcement fiber bundle, and can also impregnate reinforcement fiber bundles, such as glass fiber and an aramid fiber.

  Further, in the first and second embodiments described above, the case where the introduction port (introduction portion) is provided on the right side surface of the melting tank 2 has been described. A bundle of reinforcing fibers such as may be introduced into the melting tank 2.

  In the first to third embodiments described above, the horn of the ultrasonic wave application means may be inserted into the melting tanks 2 and 31 from the side surfaces of the melting tanks 2 and 31 due to the installation space.

  Further, in the first to third embodiments described above, molding means is provided outside or inside the outlet 2b of the melting tank 2, and the outside of the melting tanks 2 and 31 is provided from the outlets 2b and 31d and the opening 36a of the attachment 36. The impregnated CF (reinforcing fiber bundles) 6 and 32 to be led out may be formed into a predetermined shape such as an inverted T-shaped vertical section, for example. At this time, the shapes of the outlets 2b and 31d and the opening 36a of the attachment 36 may be formed in a cross-sectional shape to be formed.

<Fourth embodiment>
A machining apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The processing apparatus 40 in this embodiment is described as processing CF32 (reinforced fiber bundle) impregnated with a thermoplastic resin by the impregnation apparatus 11a having the configuration of the third embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, for example. To do.

  As shown in FIG. 8, a mold 41 for winding an impregnated CF (carbon fiber bundle) 32 led out to the outside through the outlet 31 d of the sealed melting tank 31 and the opening 36 a of the attachment 36 is formed in the melting tank 31. The mold 41 is rotated at a predetermined rotational speed v by a winding means 43 that is rotatably disposed near the opening 36a of the attachment 36 provided outside the outlet 31d and is controlled by the controller 42 shown in FIG. As a result, the CF 32 is drawn out from the outlet 31 d of the melting tank 31 and the opening 36 a of the attachment 36 and wound around the mold 41. Here, the mold material 41 has, for example, a solid columnar shape or a hollow columnar shape, and the winding means 43 can change the distance L (see FIG. 8) from the attachment 36 of the melting tank 31 of the mold material 41. In addition, the mold member 41 is movably supported by a distance variable means (not shown).

  Further, the mold material 41 is disposed so that the rotation shaft 41a of the mold material 41 forms a predetermined angle that is not 90 degrees with respect to the CF 32 in a plan view. By rotating the mold material 41 in this state, the mold material 41 When the CF 32 is obliquely wound around the outer periphery and the winding of the first layer CF 32 is finished around the outer periphery of the mold 41, the winding means 43 is symmetric with respect to the angle of the rotation shaft 41 a of the first layer with respect to the CF 32. The orientation of the mold material 41 is changed by this, and the CF32 is wound around the outer periphery of the mold material 41 in this state, whereby the second layer CF32 is wound so as to be obliquely overlapped with the CF32 wound up in the first layer, When the second layer CF32 is wound around the outer periphery of the mold member 41, the angle is symmetrical to the angle of the rotation axis 41a of the second layer with respect to CF32, that is, the same angle of the rotation axis 41a as that of the first layer. Orientation of the mold member 41 is changed so that, CF32 is wound a third layer on the outer periphery of the mold material 41 in this state, thereafter, by repeating the same operation, CF32 the outer periphery of the mold material 41 is wound around the multilayer.

  Thereafter, the entire mold material 41 is wound in multiple layers, the other CF 32 is cooled to cure the impregnating resin, and the mold material 41 is removed by the removing means, so that a cylindrical shape corresponding to the outer shape of the mold material 41 is obtained as shown in FIG. A workpiece P having is formed. Note that the mold material 41 is preferably formed of a material that can be easily removed. For example, it is conceivable that the mold material 41 is formed of a material that can be decomposed by irradiating ultraviolet rays by ultraviolet irradiation means.

  By the way, as shown in FIG. 9, at a position where the CF 32 is started to be wound around the mold 41, the temperature of the CF 32 is detected by a radiation thermometer (corresponding to the detecting means of the present invention) 44 which is a non-contact type temperature sensor. Based on the detection result of the thermometer 44, the controller 42 determines whether or not the temperature of the molten resin impregnated in the CF 32 is equal to or higher than the melting temperature of the thermoplastic resin constituting the molten resin at the winding start position. Thus, the temperature of the molten resin filled in the melting tank 31, the distance L between the mold 41 and the attachment 36, and the winding so that the temperature of the molten resin impregnated in the CF 32 is maintained above the melting temperature. When the rotational speed v of the mold 41 by the winding means 43 that regulates the drawing speed of the CF 32 from the attachment 36 by the attaching means 43 is small. One is feedback controlled. Thus, the function of the controller 42 corresponds to the control means of the present invention.

  The outer shape of the mold material 41 is not the above-described column, but various shapes can be selected by selecting the outer shape of the mold material 41 according to the shape of the workpiece P to be formed, such as a cylinder, a prism, a square tube, a cone, or a pyramid. A workpiece P having a shape can be obtained.

  Therefore, according to the processing apparatus 40 of the fourth embodiment described above, the CF 32 in a state where the molten resin of the thermoplastic resin is uniformly impregnated by ultrasonic vibration can be wound around the mold 41 by the winding means 43. As in the prior art, it is not necessary to apply and impregnate the resin again before winding, and even without using an autoclave, the CF 32 uniformly impregnated with the resin is simply wound around the mold 41 by the winding means 43. The CF 32 can be processed into a desired shape, and the CF 32 can be processed with an apparatus having a simple and inexpensive configuration.

  Further, when the CF 32 is wound around the mold material 41 by the winding means 43, the impregnated resin can be wound around the mold material 41 while keeping the temperature of the impregnated resin at or above the melting temperature and keeping the viscosity of the resin low. It is possible to easily perform the CF32 winding work.

  Further, after the resin 32 impregnated is cured by cooling the entire CF 32 wound around the mold material 41 or the like, the mold material 41 is removed, so that the CF 32 processed into a shape corresponding to the outer shape of the mold material 41 is obtained. It becomes possible to obtain a workpiece P having a shape.

  In the fourth embodiment, the case where the CF 32 impregnated with the thermoplastic resin is processed by the impregnation apparatus 11a having the configuration of the third embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 has been described. Of course, the CF 32 impregnated with the thermoplastic resin may be processed by the impregnation apparatus 1 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 3 or the impregnation apparatus 11 of the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. .

<Fifth Embodiment>
A machining apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  Since a large amount of excess molten resin adheres to the surface of the CF 32 that has just been led out from the melting tank 31, the surface of the CF 32 is uneven, and the surface of the CF 32 is made as smooth as possible before being wound around the mold 41. Can finish the workpiece into a better state.

  Therefore, in the processing apparatus 40a according to the present embodiment, the horn 45 of the ultrasonic vibration device that is the heating means is disposed at the winding start position of the CF 32 around the mold material 41, and the extra attached to the CF 32 wound around the mold material 41. Molten resin is melted by heating by ultrasonic vibration of the horn 45, and a vacuum suction means 46, which is a removal means, is disposed upstream of the winding of the CF 32 around the mold material 41, and a droplet of excess resin melted by the vacuum suction means 46 47 is removed by suction. At this time, the vacuum suction means 46 may be arranged on the downstream side of the winding of the CF 32 around the mold material 41.

  As described above, according to the fifth embodiment, at the position where the winding of the CF 32 around the mold material 41 is started, the excess resin adhering to the CF 32 is melted by heating by the ultrasonic vibration of the horn 45 and the excess melted by the vacuum suction means 46 is melted. By sucking and removing the molten resin droplet 47, the CF 32 wound around the mold material 41 can be finished in a good state.

(Modification)
A modification of the processing apparatus 40a according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In this modified example, as shown in FIG. 12, a cooling means 48 is disposed in addition to the horn 45 and the vacuum suction means 46 at the position where the CF 32 is wound around the mold material 41. In this case, the cooling means 48 is disposed further upstream of the winding of the CF 32 than the vacuum suction means 46, and the CF 32 wound around the mold material 41 is once cooled, and protrudes and adheres to the resin impregnated in the CF 32 and the surface of the CF 32. After the resin is cured, the excess resin that protrudes and adheres to the surface of the CF 32 is melted by heating by the ultrasonic vibration of the horn 45, and the molten resin droplet 47 is sucked by the vacuum suction means 46.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications other than those described above can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  For example, as the thermoplastic resin used as the molten resin, a polyolefin resin, an aliphatic polyamide resin, a polyethylene terephthalate resin, and the like are exemplified, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and other thermoplastic resins may be used.

  Further, in place of the radiation thermometer 44 in the fourth embodiment, a thermography or other non-contact temperature sensor may be provided as the detection means.

  Further, in the processing apparatus 40 of the above-described fifth embodiment, a configuration in which the radiation thermometer 44 is not provided may be employed. In this case, only the rotational speed v of the mold 41 by the winding means 43 that defines the drawing speed of the CF 32 from the attachment 36 by the winding means 43 is controlled by the controller 42.

  The present invention can be widely applied to an impregnation apparatus, an impregnation method, and a processing apparatus for impregnating a reinforcing fiber bundle with resin.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 11, 11a ... Impregnation apparatus 2 ... Melting tank 2a ... Introduction port (introduction part)
2b: Outlet 4 ... Molded resin 6 ... CF (reinforced fiber bundle)
8, 12 ... Horn (Ultrasonic wave application means)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 9 ... Pressing means 20 ... Ultrasonic application means 31 ... Melting tank 31d ... Introduction path (introduction part)
32 ... CF (reinforced fiber bundle)
33 ... Horn (Ultrasonic wave application means)
37 ... Molten resin 40, 40a ... Processing device 41 ... Mold material 42 ... Controller (control means)
43 ... Winding means 44 ... Radiation thermometer (detection means)
45 ... Horn (heating means)
46 ... Vacuum suction means (removal means)

In order to achieve the above-described object, an impregnation apparatus according to the present invention is an impregnation apparatus for impregnating a reinforcing fiber bundle with a thermoplastic resin, wherein the reinforcing fiber bundle has an introduction portion into which the reinforcing fiber bundle is introduced. The reinforcing fiber bundle is formed of a melting tank in which an outlet for leading the reinforcing fiber bundle to the outside is formed and filled with a molten resin in which a thermoplastic resin is melted, and the reinforcing fiber bundle introduced from the introduction portion. said moving means for moving to outlet, wherein by applying a vertical ultrasonic wave in a state not in contact against the reinforcing fiber bundle that is immersed in the molten resin reinforcing fibers in a horizontal direction while being immersed in the molten resin And an ultrasonic wave application means for impregnating the bundle with a resin, wherein the molten resin in the melting tank is maintained at a temperature higher than a melting temperature of the thermoplastic resin and lower than a resin decomposition temperature.

  Further, it is desirable that the melting tank is sealed except for the introduction part and the outlet port. In addition, if there is a discharge port, it is sealed except for the introduction part, the discharge port and the discharge port. Good.This prevents the molten resin in the melting tank from coming into contact with the air and prevents oxidation, so that the molten resin can be reliably prevented from being deteriorated, and a high-quality thermoplastic resin can be impregnated into the reinforcing fiber bundle. It becomes possible.

Further, the impregnation method according to the present invention is an impregnation method in which a reinforcing fiber bundle is impregnated with a thermoplastic resin. A fiber bundle is introduced, the introduced reinforcing fiber bundle is immersed in the molten resin , moves horizontally to the outlet formed in the melting tank, and the reinforcing fiber is ultrasonically applied in the molten resin. It is characterized by impregnating a resin into the reinforcing fiber bundle by applying a vertical ultrasonic wave in a state not in contact against the bundle.

Furthermore, a processing apparatus for processing the reinforcing fiber bundle is impregnated with a thermoplastic resin, derives the reinforcing fiber bundle in which the strengthening fiber bundle has been introduced has an inlet portion which is introduced into the interior to the exterior a melting tank for molten resin to melt the thermoplastic resin inside guide outlet is formed is filled, the reinforcing fiber bundle which has been introduced from the introduction portion, in a state where the reinforcing fiber bundle is immersed in the molten resin moving means for moving to the front Symbol outlet, and ultrasonic wave application means for impregnating the resin soaked the reinforcing fiber bundle by applying an ultrasonic wave to the reinforcing fiber bundle in the molten resin, outside of the melting tank A mold member having a predetermined outer shape that is rotatably disposed near the outlet and a winding that rotates the mold member to draw out the impregnated reinforcing fiber bundle from the outlet and wind it around the mold member. With attachment means The reinforcing fiber bundle into a shape corresponding to the outer shape of the serial-type material may be processed. In this way, the reinforcing fiber bundle in which the thermoplastic resin is uniformly impregnated by ultrasonic vibration can be wound around the mold material by the winding means, so that the resin is applied again and impregnated before winding as before. Even without the use of an autoclave, the reinforcing fiber bundle can be processed into a predetermined shape simply by winding the reinforcing fiber uniformly impregnated with resin around the mold material by the winding means. The reinforcing fiber bundle can be processed by the apparatus having the configuration.

Claims (13)

In an impregnation apparatus for impregnating a reinforcing fiber bundle with a thermoplastic resin,
A melting tank in which a lead-out port for leading the introduced reinforcing fiber bundle to the outside is formed and filled with a molten resin in which a thermoplastic resin is melted;
Moving means for moving the reinforcing fiber bundle introduced from the introduction part to the outlet port in a state where the reinforcing fiber bundle is immersed in the molten resin;
An ultrasonic application means for applying an ultrasonic wave to the reinforcing fiber bundle immersed in the molten resin and impregnating the reinforcing fiber bundle with resin;
The impregnation apparatus, wherein the molten resin in the melting tank is maintained at a temperature equal to or higher than a melting temperature of the thermoplastic resin and equal to or lower than a resin decomposition temperature.   The impregnation apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a pressing unit that is provided outside the outlet of the melting tank and presses the reinforcing fiber bundle drawn from the outlet from above and below.   The discharge port for discharging the molten resin in the melting tank to the outside and holding a predetermined amount of the molten resin in the melting tank is formed in the melting tank. Impregnation equipment.   The impregnation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the ultrasonic wave application unit applies ultrasonic waves to the reinforcing fiber bundle from above and / or below. In an impregnation apparatus for impregnating a reinforcing fiber bundle with a thermoplastic resin,
A melting tank in which a lead-out port for leading the introduced reinforcing fiber bundle to the outside is formed and filled with a molten resin in which a thermoplastic resin is melted;
Moving means for moving the reinforcing fiber bundle introduced from the introduction part to the outlet port in a state where the reinforcing fiber bundle is immersed in the molten resin;
The molten resin disposed on the outside of the outlet of the melting tank and applied to the reinforcing fiber bundle by applying ultrasonic waves to the reinforcing fiber bundle immersed in the molten resin and led out of the outlet. An impregnation apparatus comprising ultrasonic application means for impregnation.   The impregnation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the melting tank is hermetically sealed except for the introduction part and the outlet port. In the impregnation method of impregnating the reinforcing fiber bundle with the thermoplastic resin,
Filling the molten layer with a molten resin obtained by melting a thermoplastic resin,
Introducing the reinforcing fiber bundle from the introduction part into the melting tank,
In the state where the introduced reinforcing fiber bundle is immersed in the molten resin, it moves to the outlet formed in the melting tank,
An impregnation method comprising impregnating the reinforcing fiber bundle with resin by applying an ultrasonic wave to the reinforcing fiber bundle by ultrasonic application means in the molten resin.   The impregnation method according to claim 7, wherein the reinforcing fiber bundle drawn from the outlet is pressed from above and below by a pressing unit outside the melting tank. In the impregnation method of impregnating the reinforcing fiber bundle with the thermoplastic resin,
Filling the molten layer with a molten resin obtained by melting a thermoplastic resin, maintaining the molten resin at a temperature higher than the melting temperature of the thermoplastic resin and lower than the resin decomposition temperature
Introducing the reinforcing fiber bundle from the introduction part into the melting tank,
In the state where the introduced reinforcing fiber bundle is immersed in the molten resin, it moves to the outlet formed in the melting tank,
An impregnation method comprising impregnating the molten resin adhering to the reinforcing fiber bundle by applying ultrasonic waves to the reinforcing fiber bundle by an ultrasonic applying means outside the outlet. A processing apparatus for processing the reinforcing fiber bundle impregnated with a thermoplastic resin by the impregnation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
A mold material having a predetermined outer shape that is rotatably disposed near the outlet and outside the melting tank;
A winding means for pulling out the impregnated reinforcing fiber bundle from the outlet and winding it around the mold material by rotating the mold material;
A processing apparatus for processing the reinforcing fiber bundle into a shape corresponding to an outer shape of the mold material. Detection means for detecting the temperature of the reinforcing fiber bundle wound around the mold material by the winding means;
Distance variable means for moving the mold material to vary the distance from the outlet to the mold material;
Based on the temperature detected by the detecting means, the temperature of the molten resin filled in the melting tank so as not to drop below the melting temperature of the impregnated thermoplastic resin, the outlet of the reinforcing fiber bundle by the winding means The processing apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising: a control unit that controls at least one of a drawing speed from the distance and a distance from the outlet to the mold member by the distance varying unit. A heating means disposed near a winding start position of the reinforcing fiber bundle impregnated by the winding means, and heating the reinforcing fiber bundle to a temperature equal to or higher than a melting temperature of the impregnated thermoplastic resin to dissolve excess thermoplastic resin; ,
The processing apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising a removing unit that is disposed in the vicinity of the heating unit and removes droplets of the thermoplastic resin melted by the heating of the heating unit.   The shape of the mold material is a cylindrical shape such as a cylinder, a square tube, a column, a prism, a cone, a pyramid, or a columnar shape, and is removed after the winding of the reinforcing fiber bundle is completed. The processing apparatus according to any one of 10 to 12.

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