JP6331979B2 - Thermoplastic plate base material transfer device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a transport device that transports a plasticized thermoplastic plate-like substrate.

  When a thermoplastic plate-like substrate such as a carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) composite material is heated and plasticized to be press-molded, the plasticized plate-like substrate is conveyed from a heating device to a press mold. There is a need (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 60-154033 A

  For transporting a plate-like base material such as a plasticized thermoplastic CFRP composite material, for example, a transport device 900 including a clamp 910 that opens and closes as shown in FIG. 9 can be used. When using such a conveyance apparatus 900, the plasticized plate-shaped base material P can be conveyed from a heating apparatus to the press die M by the following procedures, for example. First, the conveying device 900 is moved above the plasticized plate-like substrate P carried out of the heating device, and the clamps 910 in the opened state are closed, whereby a plurality of peripheral portions Pe of the plate-like substrate P are closed. The point is held by a clamp 910. Next, in a state where the peripheral edge Pe of the plate-like substrate P is held by the clamp 910, the conveying device 900 is moved upward and horizontally to lift the plate-like substrate P to a predetermined position on the press die M. Transport to. Then, by opening the clamp 910 of the conveying device 900 at a predetermined position on the press die M, the peripheral edge Pe of the plate-like substrate P is opened, and the plate-like substrate P is arranged on the press die M. Is done.

  However, a thermoplastic plate-like base material P such as a thermoplastic CFRP composite material heated and plasticized in a heating furnace is very flexible and difficult to handle, and may be deformed by its own weight, for example. Further, it is difficult to open and close the clamps 910 at the one end Ps and the other end Ps of the plate-like base material P at the same timing, and the clamp 910 is opened and closed at a plurality of locations on the peripheral edge Pe of the plate-like base material P. There may be a difference in timing. Therefore, when using the conveyance apparatus 900 provided with the above-mentioned clamp 910, the clamp 910 of the state holding the peripheral part Pe of the plate-shaped base material P is opened, the peripheral part Pe of the plate-shaped base material P is released, and press metal When arranged on the mold M, a shift may occur in the timing at which a plurality of locations of the peripheral edge Pe of the plate-like substrate P are separated from the clamp 910. In this case, the plate-like substrate P cannot be disposed at a predetermined position on the press mold M, and there is a possibility that a molded product such as a chip or a defective thickness is generated in the molded product.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and includes a clamp that holds and releases a plurality of locations on the peripheral edge of a plasticized plate-like substrate in a horizontal state by opening and closing operations, and presses the plate-like substrate. It aims at providing the conveying apparatus of the thermoplastic plate-shaped base material which can be correctly arrange | positioned by the predetermined position on a metal mold | die.

  In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the thermoplastic plate-like base material conveying device of the present invention includes a clamp that holds and releases a plurality of locations on the peripheral edge of a plasticized plate-like base material in a horizontal state by opening and closing operations. A thermoplastic plate-like substrate conveying device, comprising: a pressing portion that pushes down an intermediate portion between the peripheral portions of the plate-like substrate by moving downward; and a control portion that controls the clamp and the pressing portion. The controller is configured to open the clamp and release the peripheral portion of the plate-like base material in a state where the pressing portion is moved downward to push down the intermediate portion of the plate-like base material. To do.

  The thermoplastic plate-like substrate conveying device of the present invention is, for example, a thermoplastic CFPR composite material that is plasticized by being heated by a heating device, such as a vehicle ceiling substrate, a cover substrate, and a rear garnish substrate. It is an apparatus for conveying a plate-shaped substrate made of a material to, for example, a press die. In order to transport the plate-like base material by the transport device of the present invention, first, the transport device is moved to the vicinity of the plasticized plate-like base material in the horizontal state, and a plurality of peripheral portions of the plate-like base material are clamped. Place the location where it can be held.

  Next, the clamp is controlled by the control unit, and the clamp is held from the open state to the closed state, so that the clamp holds a plurality of locations on the peripheral edge of the plate-like substrate, for example, both ends of the plate-like substrate. To do. In this state, the plasticized plate-like base material can be transported to a predetermined position on the press die, for example, by moving the transport device. The conveying device holds the plasticized plate-like substrate and moves to a predetermined position, and then controls the clamp by the control unit to change the clamp from the closed state to the open state. Thereby, a conveyance apparatus releases the peripheral part of a plate-shaped base material, drops a plate-shaped base material, for example, arrange | positions on a press metal mold | die.

  However, the position at which the plate-shaped substrate is arranged varies only by releasing the peripheral portion of the plate-shaped substrate and dropping it from the state where the peripheral portion of the plasticized plate-shaped substrate is held by opening and closing the clamp. Becomes larger. The cause of the variation in the position of the plate-like substrate after conveyance is, for example, that the plasticized plate-like substrate is deformed by its own weight and one end is caught by a clamp, or a plurality of peripheral portions of the plate-like substrate are This is because the timing at which the clamp is opened slightly deviates from one end, for example, from one end to the other end. If there is a variation in the position where the plate-like base material is arranged after conveyance, for example, the plate-like base material cannot be arranged at a predetermined position on the press die, and the molded product is chipped or has poor plate thickness. There is a risk that a molding defect will occur.

  In order to suppress the variation in the position of the plate-like substrate after such conveyance and to arrange the plate-like substrate more accurately at a predetermined position on a press die, for example, the conveyance device of the present invention is A pressing portion that presses down an intermediate portion between the peripheral portions of the plate-like base material, for example, a central portion of the plate-like base material, by a downward movement, and a control portion that controls the clamp and the pressing portion. A control part controls a clamp and a press part so that a clamp may be opened and the both ends of a plate-shaped base material may be released in the state where the press part was moved downward and the middle part of the plate-shaped base material was pushed down.

  That is, the conveyance device of the present invention holds the plasticized plate-like substrate and moves it to a predetermined position, and then controls the clamp and the holding portion by the control unit, and moves the holding portion downward to move the plate-like substrate. In the state where the middle part of the plate is pushed down, the clamp is opened to release the peripheral part of the plate-like substrate.

  Thus, before opening the clamp and releasing the peripheral portion of the plate-shaped substrate, by applying a downward force to the intermediate portion of the plate-shaped substrate plasticized by the pressing portion, the peripheral edge of the plate-shaped substrate For example, even when a horizontal force acts on the peripheral edge of the plate-like base material from the clamp when the part is released, the plate-like base material becomes difficult to move in the horizontal direction. In addition, by applying a downward force to the intermediate portion of the plate-like base material, the force toward the intermediate portion is applied to the peripheral portion of the plate-like base material so that the peripheral portion of the plate-like base material can be easily separated from the clamp. be able to.

  As a result, even if the plasticized plate-like base material is deformed by its own weight or the opening timing of the clamp is slightly shifted at a plurality of locations on one peripheral edge of the plate-like base material, the peripheral edge of the plate-like base material The plate-like base material can be prevented from moving in the horizontal direction when the part is released, and the plate-like base material can be dropped downward and accurately placed at a predetermined position.

  As can be understood from the above description, according to the present invention, a clamp is provided that holds and releases a plurality of positions on the peripheral edge of a plasticized plate-like substrate in a horizontal state by opening and closing operations, and presses the plate-like substrate. It is possible to provide a thermoplastic plate-shaped substrate conveying apparatus that can be accurately arranged at a predetermined position on a mold.

The block diagram which shows schematic structure of the conveying apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The front view which shows schematic structure of the conveying apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The front view which shows the operation | movement at the time of the conveying apparatus shown in FIG. 2 releasing a plate-shaped base material. The front view which shows the modification 1 of the conveying apparatus shown in FIG. The front view which shows the modification 2 of the conveying apparatus shown in FIG. The front view which shows the modification 3 of the conveying apparatus shown in FIG. The front view which shows the modification 4 of the conveying apparatus shown in FIG. The front view which shows the modification 5 of the conveying apparatus shown in FIG. The front view which shows schematic structure of the conventional conveying apparatus.

  DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of a thermoplastic plate substrate transport apparatus according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a transport apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of the transport apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention. In addition, illustration of the control part 30 is abbreviate | omitted in FIG.

  The conveying device 100 of the present embodiment includes a clamp 10 that holds and releases a plurality of locations of the peripheral edge Pe of the plasticized plate-like base material P in a horizontal state, and the peripheral edge Pe of the plate-like base material P. The pressing part 20 which presses down the intermediate part Pm between them by the downward movement, and the control part 30 which controls the clamp 10 and the pressing part 20 are provided.

  The plate-like substrate P conveyed by the conveying device 100 of the present embodiment is plasticized by being heated by a heating device (not shown) such as a vehicle ceiling substrate, a cover substrate, a rear garnish substrate, etc. It is the front thermoplastic plate-shaped substrate. As the plate-like substrate P, for example, a thermoplastic carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) composite material can be used. For example, the plate-like substrate P is arranged in a horizontal state on a belt conveyor, conveyed into a heating device, heated and plasticized in the heating device, and unloaded from the heating device so that the peripheral edge Pe is clamped by the conveying device 100. 10 and is conveyed onto a molding die, for example.

  The clamp 10 includes a movable portion 11 that supports the lower surface of the peripheral portion Pe of the plate-like substrate P, a fixed portion 12 that sandwiches the peripheral portion Pe of the plate-like substrate P between the movable portion 11, and the movable portion 11. The link part 13 connected with the base end part of this, and the air cylinder 14 connected with the base end part of the link part 13 are provided.

  The movable part 11 is a plate-like or bar-like member that supports the peripheral edge Pe of the plate-like substrate P from below and holds it between the fixed part 12. The fixing portion 12 is disposed at a position facing the peripheral edge Pe of the plate-like substrate P, and is fixed to the lower surface of the transport apparatus main body 1. A distal end portion of a link portion 13 that extends substantially perpendicular to the movable portion 11 is connected to the base end portion of the movable portion 11.

  The link portion 13 has a distal end portion connected to the proximal end portion of the movable portion 11, a proximal end portion rotatably supported by a rotating shaft 14 b provided at the distal end portion of the piston rod 14 a of the air cylinder 14, and an intermediate portion. It is rotatably supported by a rotating shaft 1a provided in the transport device main body 1. The air cylinder 14 expands and contracts the piston rod 14 a by supplying and discharging air under the control of the control unit 30. Although not shown, the air cylinder 14 is provided with a speed control valve so that the expansion / contraction speed of the piston rod 14a can be adjusted.

  In the clamp 10, when air is supplied to and discharged from the air cylinder 14 and the piston rod 14 a extends, the link portion 13 rotates around the rotation shaft 1 a at the intermediate portion, and the tip end side of the link portion 13 is the lower surface of the transport device main body 1. It is substantially perpendicular to 1b. As a result, the clamp 10 is in a closed state in which the movable portion 11 is parallel to the lower surface 1 b of the transport device body 1 and the fixed portion 12. The clamp 10 holds the peripheral edge Pe of the plate-like base material P between the movable part 11 and the fixed part 12 by closing the movable part 11.

  In the clamp 10, when air is supplied to or discharged from the air cylinder 14 and the piston rod 14a contracts, the link portion 13 rotates about the rotation shaft 1a at the intermediate portion, and the tip end side of the link portion 13 is located on the transport device main body. It inclines so that it may open to the outer side of 1 (refer FIG. 3). As a result, the clamp 10 is rotated and opened so that the movable part 11 is separated from the transport apparatus main body 1 and the fixed part 12. The clamp 10 releases the peripheral edge Pe of the plate-like substrate P sandwiched between the movable part 11 and the fixed part 12 when the movable part 11 is opened.

  The clamp 10 according to the present embodiment has a plurality of movable parts arranged at intervals in the depth direction of both end portions Ps in the width direction of the plate-like substrate P, for example, at a plurality of positions of the peripheral edge Pe of the plate-like substrate P. It has a part 11 and a link part 13. Specifically, for example, the clamp 10 according to the present embodiment includes, for example, six movable parts 11 and link parts, each having six gaps in the depth direction of each end part Ps in the width direction of the plate-like base material P. 13.

  Moreover, the clamp 10 of this embodiment has a total of four air cylinders 14, for example, two at intervals in the depth direction of each end portion Ps in the width direction of the plate-like substrate P. That is, the clamp 10 of the present embodiment has an end portion Ps on one side in the width direction of the plate-like substrate P via the three link portions 13 connected to the rotation shaft 14b of the piston rod 14a of one air cylinder 14. Three movable parts 11 adjacent in the depth direction are driven. The fixed part 12 may be provided corresponding to each movable part 11, or a single fixed part 12 may be provided in common with a plurality of movable parts 11, for example, three movable parts 11.

  The pressing unit 20 includes a pressing unit 21 that presses the intermediate portion Pm between the peripheral portions Pe of the plate-like substrate P, an air cylinder 22 that moves the pressing unit 21 up and down, and a guide that guides the vertical movement of the pressing unit 21. Part 23.

  The pressing portion 21 is, for example, a plate-like member disposed along the lower surface 1b of the transport device main body 1, and is an intermediate portion Pm between the peripheral portions Pe of the plate-like substrate P, more preferably a plate-like substrate. It is provided so as to face the central portion Pc of P. The air cylinder 22 is fixed to the central portion of the transport apparatus main body 1, and air is supplied and discharged under the control of the control unit 30 to expand and contract the piston rod 22 a. The piston rod 22a penetrates the transport device body 1 and expands and contracts in the vertical direction perpendicular to the lower surface 1b of the transport device body 1. The tip of the piston rod 22a is fixed to the central portion of the pressing portion 21. The guide portion 23 includes a cylindrical portion 23a disposed around the air cylinder 22 and a rod-shaped guide bar 23b inserted through the cylindrical portion 23a. The guide bar 23b penetrates the transport apparatus main body 1 and has a distal end portion fixed to the pressing portion 21, and a stopper 23c having a diameter larger than the inner diameter of the cylindrical portion 23a is provided at the proximal end portion.

  Under the control of the control unit 30, the presser unit 20 extends and retracts the piston rod 22 a when air is supplied to and discharged from the air cylinder 22 (see FIG. 3). The intermediate portion Pm, more preferably the central portion Pc of the plate-like substrate P is pushed downward.

  The control unit 30 includes a plurality of electronic media (not shown) such as a storage device, an input device, and an arithmetic device. The storage device stores programs for driving the pressing unit 20 and the clamp 10 respectively. Based on the program stored in the storage device, the arithmetic device, for example, sends a command to supply / discharge air to / from an air supply / discharge device (not shown) that supplies / discharges air to / from the air cylinders 14, 22, thereby clamping 10 and the holding unit 20 are driven at appropriate programmed timings. Based on the input information, the input device rewrites, for example, the timing for driving the clamp 10 and the holding unit 20 of the program stored in the storage device.

  In the storage unit of the control unit 30, for example, the clamp 10 is opened in a state where the pressing unit 20 is moved downward and the intermediate part Pm of the plate-like substrate P is pushed down, and the peripheral portion Pe of the plate-like substrate P is released. The program is saved. Thus, the control unit 30 controls the air supply / discharge of the holding unit 20 to the air cylinder 22 to move the pressing unit 21 downward, and then controls the air supply / discharge of the clamp 10 to the air cylinder 14 to move. The clamp 10 and the holding part 20 are controlled so that the part 11 is opened.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the transport apparatus 100 of the present embodiment will be described.

  Before the thermoplastic plate-like substrate P is transported by the transport device 100 of the present embodiment, for example, the thermoplastic plate-shaped substrate P is placed and transported in a horizontal state on a belt conveyor (not shown), and a heating device (not shown). It is carried in, heated, and unloaded from the heating device in a plasticized state. The plasticized plate-like substrate P is placed on a mounting table (not shown), for example, in a state where the peripheral portion Pe can be held by the transport device 100.

  Under the control of the control unit 30, the conveying device 100 moves to a position where the peripheral edge Pe of the plasticized plate-like substrate P can be held with the movable part 11 of the clamp 10 opened, and the clamp 10 is movable. Close part 11. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 2, the conveying device 100 is configured to have a plurality of locations on the peripheral edge Pe of the plasticized plate-like substrate P in the horizontal state, more specifically, in the width direction of the plate-like substrate P. A plurality of portions of the both end portions Ps are held by the opening / closing operation of the clamp 10. The conveyance device 100 conveys the plate-shaped substrate P to a predetermined place by moving in a state where the peripheral edge Pe of the plate-shaped substrate P plasticized by the clamp 10 is held.

  3 shows a state in which the transfer device 100 in a state where the movable portion 11 of the clamp 10 shown in FIG. 2 is closed and the peripheral portion Pe of the plate-like base material P is held opens the movable portion 11 of the clamp 10 and the plate-like base material P. It is a front view which shows the state which open | released and has arrange | positioned on the press metal mold | die M. FIG.

  The conveying device 100 moves the plate-shaped substrate P on the press mold P in a predetermined state by moving it onto the press mold M while holding the peripheral edge Pe of the plate-shaped substrate P plasticized by the clamp 10. Transport to position. After the conveying device 100 reaches a predetermined position on the press die P, the control unit 30 moves the pressing unit 20 downward and opens the clamp 10 in a state where the intermediate part Pm of the plate-like substrate P is pressed down. The peripheral edge Pe of the plate-like substrate P is released.

  In other words, the control unit 30 stores the state in which the conveying device 100 holds the peripheral edge Pe of the plate-like base material P, more specifically, both end portions Ps in the width direction of the plate-like base material P, by the clamp 10. The following control is performed based on the program stored in the unit. First, the control unit 30 controls the air supply / discharge device according to a command from the arithmetic unit, supplies and discharges air to and from the air cylinder 22 of the holding unit 20, extends the piston rod 22 a, and moves the pressing unit 21 downward. Thereby, the intermediate part Pm of the plate-like base material P, more specifically, the central part Pc is pressed by the pressing part 21 of the pressing part 20 and is pressed downward.

  Next, the control unit 30 controls the air supply / exhaust device according to a command from the arithmetic unit, supplies / discharges air to / from the air cylinder 14 of the clamp 10, contracts the piston rod 14 a, and opens the movable unit 11. As a result, the peripheral edge Pe of the plate-like substrate P, more specifically, both end portions Ps of the plate-like substrate P are opened, and the plate-like substrate P falls downward to cause a predetermined on the press mold M. It is arranged at the position.

  Here, adjustment of the expansion / contraction speed of the piston rod 14a of the air cylinder 14 that drives the movable portion 11 of the clamp 10 is generally performed by adjustment of a speed adjustment valve by a maintenance manager of the transport device 100 and visual judgment. It is. Therefore, the opening / closing speed of the movable part 11 of the clamp 10 may vary. Moreover, since the plate-shaped base material P heated and plasticized is flexible, it may be bent by its own weight. In such a case, between the plate-like substrate P and the movable portion 11 when the plate-like substrate P is separated from the movable portion 11 at a plurality of locations where the clamp 10 holds the peripheral portion Pe of the plate-like substrate P. There may be a difference in the frictional force.

  Therefore, in the transport apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, the control unit 30 controls the clamp 10 and the pressing unit 20 to move the pressing unit 20 downward to clamp the intermediate part Pm of the plate-like substrate P. 10 is opened to release the peripheral edge Pe of the plate-like substrate P.

  Thereby, before the plate-shaped substrate P is released from the clamp 10, a pressing force acts on the intermediate portion Pm, and the friction between the pressing portion 21 of the pressing portion 20 and the intermediate portion Pm of the plate-shaped substrate P. The displacement of the plate-like substrate P in the horizontal direction is suppressed by the force. Further, when the plate-like substrate P is released, the intermediate portion Pm is pushed down by the pressing portion 20 and is deformed so as to bend below the peripheral edge portion Pe. In addition, a force that faces the intermediate portion Pm along the lower surface of the plate-like substrate P acts on the peripheral portion Pe of the plate-like substrate P. Thereby, the peripheral edge Pe of the plate-like substrate P is easily separated from the movable part 11 of the clamp 10.

  Therefore, according to the transport device 100 of the present embodiment, even if the opening / closing speed of the movable portion 11 of the clamp 10 varies or the plate-like substrate P is bent by its own weight, the peripheral edge of the plate-like substrate P The timing at which the plurality of portions of the part Pe are released from the clamp 10 can be made uniform. As a result, the plate-like substrate P can be dropped vertically to the lower surface 1 b of the transport apparatus main body 1 and accurately placed at a predetermined position on the press mold M.

  Further, when the plate-like substrate P is released, the intermediate portion Pm is pushed down by the pressing portion 20 and moves downward, so that a downward inertia force acts on the intermediate portion Pm, and the horizontal direction of the plate-like substrate P Can be suppressed. Further, since the pressing portion 20 includes the guide portion 23, it is possible to prevent the pressing portion 21 from being inclined when the pressing portion 21 installed at the center portion of the lower surface 1 b of the transport apparatus body 1 is moved up and down.

  The control unit 30 does not necessarily need to open the clamp 10 after moving the pressing unit 20 downward. That is, if the clamp 10 can be opened while the intermediate portion Pm of the plate-like substrate P is pressed down to release the peripheral edge Pe of the plate-like substrate P, the control unit 30 opens the clamp 10. At the same time, the pressing portion 20 may be moved downward, or the pressing portion 20 may be moved downward after opening the clamp 10.

  As described above, according to the transport apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, the clamp 10 that holds and releases a plurality of portions of the peripheral edge Pe of the plasticized plate-like base material P in a horizontal state by an opening / closing operation is provided. It is possible to provide a thermoplastic plate-like base material transport device that can accurately place the base material P at a predetermined position on the press die M.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the drawings, but the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and there are design changes and the like without departing from the gist of the present invention. They are also included in the present invention. Hereinafter, modified examples of the transfer device 100 described in the above-described embodiment will be described.

  4 to 8 are front views showing a schematic configuration of the transfer apparatuses 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, and 100E of the first to fifth modifications of the transfer apparatus 100 shown in FIG.

  In the transport apparatus 100A of Modification 1 shown in FIG. 4, the pressing portion 20A does not have the pressing portion 21 and the guide portion 23, and the tip of the piston rod 22a of the air cylinder 22 is a spherical round pin 22b. . In the transport device 100B of the second modification shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of round pins 21b having a spherical tip are provided on the lower surface of the pressing portion 21 of the pressing portion 20B. In the conveying device 100C of Modification 3 shown in FIG. 6, the lower surface of the pressing portion 21C of the pressing portion 20C is formed in a sword mountain shape having a plurality of needle-like protrusions.

  In the transfer device 100D of Modification 4 shown in FIG. 7, the lower surface of the pressing portion 21D of the pressing portion 20D is formed in a curved shape having corrugated irregularities. A conveyance device 100E of Modification 5 shown in FIG. 8 has a plurality of mountain-shaped protrusions having a triangular cross-sectional shape on the lower surface of the pressing portion 21E of the pressing portion 20E. Since the other points of the transfer apparatuses 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, and 100E of the first to fifth modifications are the same as those of the transfer apparatus 100 described in the above-described embodiment, the same portions are denoted by the same reference numerals. A description thereof will be omitted.

  According to the transfer apparatuses 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, and 100E of the first to fifth modifications, the same effects as those of the transfer apparatus 100 described in the above-described embodiment can be obtained. Furthermore, according to the transfer apparatus 100A of the first modification illustrated in FIG. 4, the configuration can be further simplified as compared with the transfer apparatus 100 described in the embodiment. Moreover, according to the conveying apparatus 100B of the modification 2 shown in FIG. 5, compared with the conveying apparatus 100 demonstrated in the above-mentioned embodiment, the contact area of the press part 21 and the plate-shaped base material P is reduced, and the pressing part 21 And the plate-like substrate P can be easily separated.

  Moreover, according to the conveyance apparatus 100C of the modification 3 shown in FIG. 6, compared with the conveyance apparatus 100 demonstrated in the above-mentioned embodiment, the frictional force between the press part 21C and the plate-shaped base material P is increased, and a board | plate The positional deviation in the horizontal direction of the substrate P can be more effectively suppressed. Moreover, according to the conveying apparatus 100D of the modification 4 shown in FIG. 7 and the conveying apparatus 100E of the modification 5 shown in FIG. 8, compared with the conveying apparatus 100 demonstrated in the above-mentioned embodiment, press part 21D, 21E and plate shape. The contact area with the base material P can be increased, and the horizontal displacement of the plate-like base material P can be more effectively suppressed.

(Example)
A plate-like substrate made of a thermoplastic CFRP composite material is plasticized by a heating device, and a plasticized plate-like plate in a horizontal state using the transport device 100 having the configuration shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 described in the above embodiment. Both ends Ps of the substrate P were held by the clamp 10 and conveyed to a predetermined position on the press mold M. Next, the clamp 10 and the pressing part 20 are controlled by the control unit 30, and the clamp 10 is opened in a state where the pressing part 21 of the pressing part 20 is moved downward to push down the central part Pc of the plate-like substrate P. Both end portions Ps of the substrate P were released, and the plate substrate P was placed on the press mold M. Next, the distance from the outer peripheral scribing of the product engraved in the press die M to the end PE of the plate-like substrate P, that is, the amount of displacement from a predetermined position was measured.

  As described above, the conveyance of the plate-like substrate P, the placement of the plate-like substrate P on the press mold M, and the measurement of the amount of displacement of the plate-like substrate P from the predetermined position are repeated 50 times. As a result, the maximum displacement amount was about 15 mm. That is, in the present embodiment, the base material size outside the product can be set to, for example, 15 mm + α based on the maximum value of the positional deviation amount from the predetermined position on the press mold M of the plate-like base material P. Therefore, according to the present Example, it became possible to reduce a substrate dimension outside a product significantly compared with the comparative example mentioned later.

(Comparative example)
FIG. 9 is a front view illustrating a schematic configuration of a transport apparatus 900 of a comparative example that does not include the pressing unit 20 illustrated in FIG. 2. The transport apparatus 900 of the comparative example includes a clamp 910 similar to the clamp 10 of the transport apparatus 100 used in the above-described embodiment in the transport apparatus main body 901. The clamp 910 holds both end portions Ps of the plate-like base material P in a horizontal state plasticized between the movable portion 911 and the fixed portion 912.

  Similarly to the above-described embodiment, the transport apparatus 900 having the configuration shown in FIG. 9 is used to transport the plasticized plate-like substrate P in the horizontal state, to place the plate-like substrate P on the press die M, and When the measurement of the amount of displacement of the plate-like substrate P from the predetermined position was repeated 50 times, the maximum amount of displacement was about 250 mm. Therefore, if the outside substrate dimension of the plate-like substrate P is not secured to 250 mm or more, the plate-like substrate P is not accurately placed at a predetermined position on the press mold M, and the molded product is chipped or has a poor thickness. It has been confirmed that molding defects such as the above may occur.

  As a cause of the positional deviation of the plate-like base material P, for example, a variation in the opening / closing speed of the clamp 910 at one end portion Ps and the other end portion Ps of the plate-like base material P, or a plasticized plate-like base material P It is conceivable that the frictional force varies between the end portion Ps of the plate-like member P and the movable portion 911 due to the bending of the self-weight. Since the conveyance device 900 of the comparative example does not have the pressing portion 20, one of the plate-like base materials P is caused by a variation in the opening / closing speed of the clamp 910 or a variation in the frictional force acting on the end portion Ps of the plate-like member P. The timing at which the end portion Ps and the other end portion Ps are separated from the clamp 910 may vary. In this case, the force in the horizontal direction acts on the end portion Ps of the plate-like substrate P that is separated from the clamp 910 with a delay, causing a deviation in the dropping direction. As a result, the position from the predetermined position on the press mold M is increased. The shift is considered to be large.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Clamp 20 Holding | suppressing part 30 Control part 100 Conveyance apparatus P Plate-shaped base material (thermoplastic plate-shaped base material)
Pc center part (intermediate part)
Pe Peripheral part Pm Intermediate part Ps End part (peripheral part)

Claims (1)

A thermoplastic plate-like substrate transport device comprising a clamp that holds and releases a plurality of positions on the lower surface of the peripheral edge of a plasticized plate-like substrate in a horizontal state by an opening and closing operation,
A holding part that pushes down an intermediate part between the peripheral parts of the plate-like substrate by moving downward;
A control unit for controlling the clamp and the pressing unit,
The controller is configured to release the peripheral portion of the plate-shaped substrate by opening the clamp in a state where the pressing portion is moved downward to push down the intermediate portion of the plate-shaped substrate. A device for conveying a plastic plate-like substrate.

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