JP6847144B2 - Manufacturing equipment for fiber reinforced plastic molded products and method for transferring kneaded products - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an apparatus for producing a fiber-reinforced resin molded product, and in particular, transfers a kneaded material by a kneaded material transfer device including a gripping member having a plurality of needle-shaped members for piercing the kneaded material of the fiber and a thermoplastic resin. Regarding the method.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2018-144287 (Patent Document 1) describes a kneading device for producing a kneaded product of a fiber and a thermoplastic resin, a cutting device for cutting the kneaded product to produce a cut kneaded product, and a cutting device. A conveyor (conveyor) that is located on the downstream side and transports the cut and kneaded material to a predetermined take-out position, a transfer device that picks up the cut and kneaded material that has been conveyed to the take-out position by the conveyor and transfers it to the molding die, and a transfer device. A device for producing a fiber-reinforced resin molded product provided with a molding device for producing a fiber-reinforced resin molded product by pressure-molding the transferred cut and kneaded product with a molding die is disclosed. This manufacturing apparatus is characterized in that each of the conveyor and the transfer apparatus is provided with a heat retaining means for preventing the temperature of the cut and kneaded product from dropping.

As a method of grasping the kneaded product in a plastic state and transferring it to a molding die, a method of scooping up the kneaded product as in the transfer device of Patent Document 1 or a method of piercing the kneaded product with a needle-like object (needle) to hold the kneaded product. Methods and the like are known (see International Publication No. 2017/104857 (Patent Document 2)).

JP-A-2018-144287 International Publication No. 2017/104857

In the apparatus for producing a fiber-reinforced resin molded product, the kneaded product must be in a plastic state from the kneading apparatus to the molding apparatus in order to enable the molding apparatus to appropriately mold the kneaded product. That is, it is important to transport the kneaded product (intermediate product) to the molding apparatus at a high temperature so that the resin does not harden in the process of processing the kneaded product into a final product. Therefore, as in Patent Document 1, it is desirable to provide a heat insulating means for preventing the temperature of the kneaded product from dropping in the section from the kneading device to the molding device.

As described in Patent Document 2, when the gripping member in the transfer device has a structure in which the needle-shaped member is pierced into the kneaded material to grip the kneaded material, the temperature inside the kneaded material is lowered by the gripping operation of the kneaded material. There is a drawback that it will end up. In that case, the kneaded material may be hardened during the transfer of the kneaded material in the transfer device. Then, a good final product cannot be obtained in the molding apparatus.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to grip a kneaded material in a kneaded material transfer device including a gripping member having a plurality of needle-shaped members. It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for producing a fiber-reinforced resin molded product and a method for transferring the kneaded product, which can prevent the kneaded product from hardening.

The apparatus for producing a fiber-reinforced resin molded article according to a certain aspect of the present invention is from a kneading apparatus for producing a kneaded product of fibers and a thermoplastic resin to a molding apparatus for molding a kneaded product to produce a fiber-reinforced resin molded article. It is equipped with a transport means for transporting the kneaded material. The transporting means includes a transporting device including a gripping member having a plurality of needle-shaped members for piercing the kneaded material and a moving member for moving the gripping member gripping the kneaded material to a predetermined delivery position. The apparatus for producing a fiber-reinforced resin molded product is characterized by comprising a preheating means for heating the needle-shaped member before the gripping member grips the kneaded product.

Preferably, the movable range of the gripping member includes a standby position for holding the gripping member on standby, and the preheating means is provided at the standby position.

Preferably, the apparatus for manufacturing the fiber-reinforced resin molded product controls the preheating means so as to heat the needle-shaped member to a set temperature based on the temperature sensor provided on the needle-shaped member and the detection signal from the temperature sensor. Further provided with a heating control means.

Further, the fiber-reinforced resin molded product manufacturing apparatus is a determination means for determining whether or not to move the gripping member to the delivery position based on the detection signal from the temperature sensor when the kneaded product is gripped by the gripping member. It is also desirable to further prepare.

The kneaded material transfer method according to another aspect of the present invention is a kneaded material transfer method using a kneaded material transfer device provided with a gripping member having a plurality of needle-shaped members for piercing the kneaded material of the fiber and the thermoplastic resin. A step of preheating the needle-shaped member, a step of gripping the kneaded material by piercing the preheated needle-shaped member into the kneaded material, and a step of moving the gripping member holding the kneaded material to a predetermined delivery position. Be prepared.

According to the present invention, in a kneaded material transfer device provided with a gripping member having a plurality of needle-shaped members, it is possible to prevent the kneaded material from hardening due to the gripping operation of the kneaded material.

It is a schematic diagram which shows the schematic structure of the manufacturing apparatus of the fiber reinforced resin molded article which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows typically the movement path of the gripping member of the transfer device which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows typically the structural example of the gripping member in embodiment of this invention. (A) and (B) are diagrams schematically showing a state in which the kneaded material is gripped by the gripping member by the needle-shaped member being pierced by the kneaded material, and (C) is a diagram showing a state in which the needle-shaped member is gripped by the gripping member, and (C) is a needle-shaped member with a sensor. It is a figure for demonstrating the position of the detection element. (A) to (C) are diagrams schematically showing a structural example of a needle-shaped member with a sensor. It is a flowchart which shows the operation of the transfer apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The same or corresponding parts in the drawings are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

<Outline configuration of manufacturing equipment for fiber reinforced resin molded products>
With reference to FIG. 1, first, a schematic configuration of a fiber-reinforced resin molded product manufacturing apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the fiber-reinforced resin molded product manufacturing apparatus 1 includes a kneading apparatus 2, an intermediate product manufacturing apparatus 3, a transfer apparatus 4, and a molding apparatus 5.

The kneading device 2 manufactures a kneaded product of fibers and a thermoplastic resin, and discharges the kneaded product. The intermediate product manufacturing apparatus 3 cuts the kneaded product discharged from the kneading apparatus 2 to produce (manufacture) the cut kneaded product as an intermediate product. The intermediate product manufacturing apparatus 3 has a conveyor 140 that conveys the kneaded material before and after cutting. The transfer device 4 grips the cut and kneaded product produced in the intermediate product manufacturing device 3 and transfers it to the molding device 5. The molding device 5 molds the cut and kneaded product transferred by the transfer device 4 to produce a fiber-reinforced resin molded product. The conveyor 140 and the transfer device 4 constitute a transfer means for transporting the kneaded material from the kneading device 2 to the molding device 5.

(Kneading device)
The kneading device 2 is a device for producing a kneaded product as a molded product material in which fibers are mixed with a thermoplastic resin by the LFT-D method. That is, a thermoplastic resin and a bundle of a plurality of continuous fibers are introduced, the fibers are opened while being cut, and the resin and the fibers are kneaded to produce a kneaded product. The thermoplastic resin is not particularly limited, but is preferably a polyamide resin. The fiber is preferably carbon fiber, glass fiber or the like. When carbon fiber is used, a thermoplastic CFRP (Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastics) molded body is manufactured in the manufacturing apparatus 1.

The kneading device 2 includes, for example, a first kneading machine 10, a second kneading machine 20, and a fiber supply unit 30. The first kneader 10 kneads the thermoplastic resin and the fiber. The second kneader 20 kneads and melts the thermoplastic resin introduced into the first kneader 10 prior to kneading with the fibers in the first kneader 10. The fiber supply unit 30 supplies the fibers to the first kneader 10.

The first kneader 10 includes a kneading shaft 11, a cylinder 12, a drive unit 13a, a speed reducer 13b, a weir body 14, and a die 15.

The kneading shaft 11 has a screw 11a and a rotating shaft 11b. The first kneader 10 may be a single-screw kneader having one kneading shaft 11 or a multi-screw kneader including a plurality of (for example, two) kneading shafts 11. The screw 11a kneads the thermoplastic resin and the fiber by rotating. The screw 11a is incorporated in the rotating shaft 11b. The screw 11a is not particularly limited as long as it is arranged at the upstream end and the downstream end of the kneading shaft 11, and a paddle may be incorporated between them, and only the screw 11a is the rotating shaft. It may be incorporated over the entire length of 11b.

A cylinder 12 is provided so as to accommodate the kneading shaft 11 inside. The gap between the cylinder 12 and the kneading shaft 11 serves as a flow path through which the thermoplastic resin and / or the fiber passes. The cylinder 12 has a resin supply port 12a for introducing the thermoplastic resin supplied from the second kneader 20 into the first kneader 10, and a plurality of continuous fibers supplied from the fiber supply unit 30. 1 It has a fiber supply port 12b for introduction into the kneader 10. In the present embodiment, the continuous fibers introduced from the fiber supply unit 30 are directly sent into the first kneader 10.

A drive unit 13a is connected to one (upstream side) shaft end of the kneading shaft 11 via a speed reducer 13b. The speed reducer 13b reduces the rotational speed of the electric motor and applies a high torque equal to or higher than the torque generated by the electric motor to the kneading shaft 11. When the first kneader 10 is a multi-screw kneader, the speed reducer 13b rotates a plurality of kneading shafts 11 in synchronization with a predetermined rotation speed. A weir body 14 is connected to the shaft end side of the other side (downstream side) of the kneading shaft 11. Since the weir body 14 can also serve as a breaker plate and an intermediate bearing and is arranged so as to extend in a direction intersecting the flow path, back pressure is applied to the kneaded product of the thermoplastic resin and the fiber.

The weir body 14 has an opening that serves as a flow path for the kneaded material. The weir body 14 of the present embodiment has a plurality of arc-shaped openings along the respective rotation directions of the screws 11a of the plurality of kneading shafts 11. The openings are provided corresponding to each kneading shaft 11. A die 15 is provided on the side of the weir body 14 opposite to the screw 11a. The die 15 has a discharge port 15a for discharging the kneaded material. The kneaded product K1 is extruded from the discharge port 15a into the intermediate product manufacturing apparatus 3.

The second kneader 20 melts the thermoplastic resin introduced into the resin supply port 12a of the cylinder 12 of the first kneader 10 in advance, and has a kneading shaft 21 having a screw 21a, a cylinder 22, and a drive unit 23a. And the speed reducer 23b and the hopper 24. The second kneader 20 may be a single-screw kneader having one kneading shaft 21 or a multi-screw kneader including a plurality of kneading shafts 21. In the kneading shaft 21, only the screw 21a may be incorporated in the rotating shaft 21b, or a paddle may be incorporated in the intermediate portion instead of the screw. The cylinder 22 has a discharge port 22a for supplying the molten thermoplastic resin to the first kneader 10. The drive unit 23a and the speed reducer 23b rotate the kneading shaft 21 at a predetermined rotation speed. The hopper 24 receives the raw material 25 of the thermoplastic resin that is kneaded between the kneading shaft 21 and the cylinder 22.

The fiber supply unit 30 supplies the fiber raw material 32 to be introduced into the fiber supply port 12b of the cylinder 12 of the first kneader 10 described above. The fiber supply unit 30 includes a mounting unit 31 on which the fiber raw material 32 wound with a bundle of a plurality of continuous fibers is placed. The mounting portion 31 has first and second guide portions 31a and 31b for taking out the tip of the fiber bundle from the fiber raw material 32 and introducing it into the fiber supply port 12b of the cylinder 12 of the first kneader 10. There is.

(Intermediate product manufacturing equipment)
The intermediate product manufacturing apparatus 3 is arranged adjacent to the discharge port 15a of the kneading apparatus 2 that pushes the kneaded product forward. The intermediate product manufacturing apparatus 3 cuts the continuous kneaded product K1 extruded from the discharge port 15a of the kneading apparatus 2, so that the intermediate product manufacturing apparatus 3 cuts the discontinuous kneaded product K2 for charging into the molding die 50 of the molding apparatus 5. That is, an intermediate product is manufactured.

The intermediate product manufacturing apparatus 3 includes a cutting apparatus 110 and a plurality of conveyors 140. Each conveyor 140 is composed of a belt conveyor in which a ring-shaped belt member (rotating member) is rotated on a carriage (non-rotating member), and a kneaded material is placed and moved on the bogie (non-rotating member).

The cutting device 110 cuts the kneaded product K1 to produce the kneaded product K2. The cutting device 110 has a cutting blade 111 for cutting the kneaded material K1 and a pedestal (not shown) for supporting the cutting blade 111 downward.

The plurality of conveyors 140 include a first conveyor located on the upstream side of the cutting device 110 and a second conveyor located on the downstream side of the cutting device 110. The first conveyor receives the kneaded material discharged from the discharge port 15a of the kneading device 2 from below and sends it to the cutting device 110. The second conveyor sends the cut kneaded product K2 cut by the cutting device 110 to the transfer device 4 in the next process.

As schematically shown in FIG. 1, it is desirable that the intermediate product manufacturing apparatus 3 is provided with a heating mechanism 9 in order to maintain the pre-molded kneaded product K1 and the cut kneaded product K2 in a plastic state. .. The heating mechanism 9 may include a heating means (for example, a mid-infrared heater) that heats the cut and kneaded product K2 in a non-contact state, or includes a heating means that heats the cut and kneaded product K2 in a non-contact state. But it may be.

(Transfer device)
The transfer device 4 is located on the downstream side of the intermediate product manufacturing device 3, grips the cut kneaded product K2 as an intermediate product manufactured by the intermediate product manufacturing device 3, and transfers it to the molding die 50 of the molding device 5. Specifically, the transfer device 4 is a kneaded product transfer device that grips the cut kneaded product K2 sent to the mounting table 150 by the conveyor 140 of the intermediate product manufacturing device 3 and inserts it into the molding die 50.

The transfer device 4 is a so-called robot hand, and includes a gripping member 41 as a hand portion and a moving member 42 as an arm portion for moving the gripping member 41. The gripping member 41 is composed of a needle gripper having a plurality of needle-shaped members.

As shown in FIG. 2, for example, the moving member 42 moves the gripping member 41 in an arc shape around the fulcrum 46 in a plan view (when viewed from above). A mounting table 150 and a molding die 50 arranged on the downstream side of the conveyor 140 are located on this arc. That is, the mounting table 150 and the molding die 50 are located on the moving path of the gripping member 41.

In a plan view, the moving member 42 moves the gripping member 41 in order from the standby position P1, the receiving position (take-out position) P2 overlapping the mounting table 150, and the delivering position P3 overlapping the molding die 50, and then the standby position. Return to P1. In this case, the gripping member 41 moves in a circular motion around the fulcrum 46, for example. The locus drawn by the gripping member 41 is not limited to an arc or a circle. Further, the receiving position P2 is not limited to the position on the mounting table 150 arranged on the downstream side of the conveyor 140, and may be the position on the downstream end of the conveyor 140 itself.

(Molding equipment)
The molding apparatus 5 is located on the downstream side of the transfer apparatus 4, and press-molds the cut and kneaded product K2 to produce a fiber-reinforced resin molded product as a final product. The molding apparatus 5 includes a molding die 50 having a lower die 52 on which the cutting kneaded product K2 is placed and an upper die 51 arranged facing the lower die 52. The upper mold 51 is supported by the plate 53, and the lower mold 52 is supported by the holder 54.

In the molding apparatus 5, the cutting kneaded product K2 is arranged in the cavity which is the cavity portion of the upper mold 51 and the lower mold 52, and the cutting kneaded product K2 is pressure-molded by closing the upper mold 51 and the lower mold 52. To do. As a result, the final product is manufactured.

In order to satisfactorily manufacture the final product in this molding apparatus 5, the cut and kneaded product K2 transferred from the transfer apparatus 4 must have an appropriate temperature (high temperature of about 200 ° C. to 300 ° C.). Therefore, the device for producing the fiber-reinforced resin molded product according to the present embodiment is configured so that the transfer device 4 can transfer the cut and kneaded product K2 at an appropriate temperature to the molding device 5. The specific configuration and operation of the transfer device 4 will be described in detail below.

<Structure of transfer device>
The configuration of the transfer device 4 according to the present embodiment will be specifically described. Here, the cut kneaded product K2 transferred by the transfer device 4 is simply referred to as "kneaded product K".

With reference to FIG. 2, the transfer device 4 further includes a control unit 81 that controls the entire transfer device 4 in addition to the grip member 41 and the moving member 42. The control unit 81 drives and controls the moving member 42 to move the gripping member 41 (for example, in an arc shape as shown in FIG. 2), and also drives and controls the gripping member 41 to make the gripping member 41 kneaded. K is gripped and released.

(Structure example of grip member)
FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically showing a configuration example of the gripping member 41 of the transfer device 4. With reference to FIG. 3, the gripping member 41 functions as a needle gripper as described above, and has a plurality of (many) needle-shaped members 43. The plurality of needle-shaped members 43 are divided into a first group of needle-shaped members 43a and a second group of needle-shaped members 43b, and the first group of needle-shaped members 43a and the second group of needle-shaped members 43b. It has a structure in which the kneaded product K is sandwiched.

4 (A) and 4 (B) are side views and plan views schematically showing a state in which the kneaded material K is gripped by the gripping member 41 when the needle-shaped member 43 is pierced by the kneaded material K, respectively. In FIGS. 4A and 4B, from the viewpoint of facilitating understanding, the number of needle-shaped members 43 in each group is set to 3, and the kneaded product K is hatched. As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, in the present embodiment, the gripping member 41 is a kneaded product K in which the needle-shaped member 43a of the first group and the needle-shaped member 43b of the second group are kneaded. The kneaded product K is gripped by piercing Ks from diagonally above. In this case, the needle-shaped members 43a of the first group and the needle-shaped members 43b of the second group are arranged so as to extend in the vertical direction and to be inclined so as to approach each other toward the lower end.

In each group, the needle-shaped members 43 are preferably arranged in a matrix (plane) as shown in FIG. 3, but may be arranged in a straight line as shown in FIG. 4 (B). .. It is desirable that the number of needle-shaped members 43 in each group is as large as possible, for example, 10 or more, depending on the size (surface area, thickness), weight, and the like of the kneaded material K to be gripped.

The gripping member 41 further includes a holding member 45a that holds all of the needle-shaped members 43a of the first group, and an advancing / retreating member 44a that moves the needle-shaped member 43a of the first group up and down at the same time by advancing and retreating the holding member 45a. , A holding member 45b that holds all of the needle-shaped members 43b of the second group, and an advancing / retreating member 44b that moves the needle-shaped members 43b of the second group up and down at the same time by advancing and retreating the holding member 45b. The advancing / retreating members 44a and 44b are composed of, for example, a cylinder.

The pair of advancing / retreating members 44a and 44b are arranged obliquely so that the lower end portion is closer to each other than the upper end portion in the side view. As a result, the needle-shaped members 43a and 43b are obliquely oriented along the longitudinal direction of the advancing / retreating members 44a and 44b between the most retracted retracted position and the most pulled out working position (the position where the kneaded product K is pierced). Move (advance and retreat) to. When the needle-shaped members 43a and 43b are located at the working position, the needle-shaped members 43a and 43b intersect in a side view without interfering with each other.

The pair of advancing / retreating members 44a and 44b are simultaneously driven and controlled by the control unit 81. As a result, the pair of holding members 45a and 45b are interlocked with each other, so that the needle-shaped members 43a and 43b of the first group and the second group move up and down at the same time (interlockingly). In the following description, when it is not necessary to distinguish between them, the advancing / retreating members 44a and 44b are simply referred to as advancing / retreating members 44, and the holding members 45a and 45b are simply referred to as holding members 45.

By controlling the drive of the advancing / retreating member 44, the control unit 81 pierces the needle-shaped member 43 into the kneaded material K to cause the gripping member 41 to grip the kneaded material K, or pulls out the needle-shaped member 43 from the kneaded material K. The kneaded product K is released to the gripping member 41.

Here, as described above, since the temperature of the kneaded product K gripped by the gripping member 41 affects the quality of the final product, the transfer device 4 according to the present embodiment is kneaded by the gripping member 41. It is further equipped with a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the object K.

The kneaded product K gripped by the gripping member 41 is a premolding material in which fibers are kneaded into a thermoplastic resin, which is intermediate between a fluid having a high viscosity and a solid. As a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the kneaded product K in such a plastic state, it is difficult to use a general-purpose insertion type thermometer such as that used in tower tanks, for example. This is because the insert-type thermometer is relatively thick and is not suitable for temporary measurement (the insert-type thermometer is originally for continuous measurement).

Further, as an alternative to the insertion type thermometer, it is conceivable to use a temperature sensor such as a radiation thermometer or a thermography that detects the temperature of the kneaded product K in a non-contact manner. However, such a non-contact temperature measuring method has a large error depending on the surface color, reflectance, properties, etc. of the object (kneaded product). In addition, it takes time and effort to start up the entire temperature measuring device, such as adjusting the measuring instrument and setting the controller. Moreover, in thermography, the instrument itself is relatively expensive. Therefore, when a non-contact temperature sensor is used, it is difficult to measure the temperature of the kneaded product K easily and accurately.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the temperature sensor is built in at least one of the plurality of needle-shaped members 43 constituting the gripping member 41. Specifically, referring to FIG. 4B, at least one of the plurality of needle-shaped members 43 is a sensor-equipped needle-shaped member 43s having a built-in temperature sensor.

It is desirable that at least one needle-shaped member 43s with a sensor is provided in each of the first group and the second group, and it is more desirable that a plurality of needle-shaped members 43s are provided in each group. In FIG. 4B, as an example, one needle-shaped member 43s with a sensor is provided in each group. The other needle-shaped member 43 may be a general needle-shaped member (needle) 43n used in a known needle gripper.

The arrangement when a plurality of needle-shaped members 43s with sensors are provided is not particularly limited. For example, the general needle-shaped member 43n and the needle-shaped member 43s with a sensor may be arranged alternately, or the needle-shaped member 43s with a sensor may be concentrated in a specific place such as a central portion.

(About the structural example of the needle-shaped member with a sensor)
5 (A) and 5 (B) are an external view and a cross-sectional view schematically showing a structural example of the needle-shaped member 43s with a sensor, respectively. In FIG. 5, the diameter of the needle-shaped member 43s with a sensor is shown large for easy understanding.

The needle-shaped member 43s with a sensor includes a long pipe portion 71 and a sharpened portion 72 connected to the tip of the pipe portion 71 by welding or the like. A temperature sensor 73 is provided inside the pipe portion 71. It is desirable that the shape and length of the needle-shaped member 43s with a sensor are the same as the shape and length of a general needle-shaped member 43n. In the description of the needle-shaped member 43s with a sensor, the sharpened portion 72 side (direction indicated by arrow A) is referred to as the tip side, and the side opposite to the sharpened portion 72 (opposite direction of arrow A) is referred to as rearward.

It is desirable that the pipe portion 71 is made of stainless steel. The shape of the pipe portion 71 is typically a cylindrical shape. Further, it is desirable that the surface (outer peripheral surface) of the pipe portion 71 is smooth so that the kneaded product K does not adhere to and from the kneaded product K. The outer peripheral surface of the pipe portion 71 may be surface-treated so as to have a smoothness equal to or higher than the surface smoothness of the general needle-shaped member 43n. The material of the tube portion 71 is not limited to stainless steel as long as it has heat resistance and high thermal conductivity, and may be, for example, another kind of metal.

The shape of the sharpened portion 72 is typically a conical shape. The sharpened portion 72 is preferably hollow, but may be hollow. The sharpened portion 72 is made of, for example, the same material as the pipe portion 71, that is, stainless steel. The shape of the sharpened portion 72 is not limited to a conical shape as long as the tip is sharpened, and may be a spear blade shape such as the sharpened portion 72A shown in FIG. 5C.

The diameter (outer diameter dimension) L1 of the pipe portion 71 is preferably 3φ (3 mm) or less, for example, 2φ (2 mm). The total length L2 of the pipe portion 71 and the sharpened portion 72 is, for example, about 100 mm. The length dimension L3 of the sharpened portion 72 is, for example, 2 mm or more and 20 mm or less. The length dimension L4 of the pipe portion 71 is, for example, 80 mm or more. These dimensions are examples, and may be determined according to the size (thickness) of the kneaded product K to be gripped.

The temperature sensor 73 includes a detection element 73a located at the most distal end side, and a lead wire 73b whose one end is connected to the detection element 73a and is pulled out to the rear. In this way, the detection element 73a and the lead wire 73b are inserted into the pipe portion 71. The tube portion 71 functions as a sheath tube of the temperature sensor 73.

The temperature sensor 73 is composed of, for example, a thermocouple. In this case, the lead wire 73b includes two metal wires made of different materials, and one contact point (temperature measurement contact point) of the two metal wires constitutes the detection element 73a. The other contact of the two metal wires is located in a measuring instrument (not shown), and the potential difference between the two contacts is measured by the measuring instrument. The control unit 81 measures (calculates) the temperature on the detection element 73a side based on the potential difference measured by the measuring instrument. The measuring instrument may be provided integrally with the control unit 81.

The detection element 73a may be located within the thickness range (height range) T of the kneaded product K shown in FIG. 4 (A) in the gripped state of the kneaded product K. That is, it may be provided in the portion of the needle-shaped member 43s with a sensor to be inserted into the kneaded product K. More specifically, the detection element 73a may be located below the upper surface Ks of the kneaded product K in the gripped state.

In the present embodiment, since the detection element 73a is provided in the pipe portion 71, the detection element 73a is retracted from the tip position of the needle-shaped member 43s with a sensor by at least the length (L3) of the sharp portion 72. It is placed in position. The distance (distance) L10 between the tip position LA of the tube portion 71 and the position of the detection element 73a is not particularly limited, but is defined in the range of, for example, 0 mm to 20 mm.

The rear end of the tube portion 71 is passed through a cylindrical sleeve 74, and a cable 75 covering the (two) conductors 73b is pulled out rearward from the sleeve 74. The gap between the sleeve 74 and the cable 75 is filled with the filler 76. The filler 76 is an inorganic insulator such as cement. As shown in FIG. 5B, the filler 76 is also injected into the pipe portion 71. As a result, the displacement of the detection element 73a in the pipe portion 71 can be prevented.

As shown in FIG. 4B, the cable 75 is connected to the control unit 81. The control unit 81 measures the temperature near the position of the detection element 73a based on the detection signal (potential difference information) obtained from the temperature sensor 73. Since the detection element 73a is arranged in the ultrafine tube portion 71 having high thermal conductivity, the temperature measured by the control unit 81 in the gripping state of the kneaded product K is the temperature of the kneaded material K near the position of the detection element 73a. It can be regarded as equivalent to temperature. Therefore, the control unit 81 can accurately measure the temperature inside the kneaded material K to be transferred based on the detection signal obtained from the temperature sensor 73.

Therefore, the control unit 81 can determine whether or not the temperature of the kneaded product K gripped by the gripping member 41 is within the allowable range based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 73. Further, as a result, it can be determined whether or not the kneaded product K gripped by the gripping member 41 is transferred to the molding apparatus 5 (whether or not it is discarded). As described above, the control unit 81 has a function as a determination means for determining whether or not to move the gripping member 41 that grips the kneaded material K at the receiving position P2 to the delivering position P3. The temperature sensor 73 may be composed of a sensor device other than a thermocouple.

When a plurality of needle-shaped members 43s with sensors are provided, the position of the detection element 73a, that is, the distance L10 between the tip position LA of the tube portion 71 and the detection element 73a may be the same or may be intentionally different. Good.

In the former case, the temperature at a certain depth can be detected from the upper surface Ks of the kneaded product K by the plurality of detection elements 73a in the gripped state. In the latter case, that is, when the positions (positions in the longitudinal direction) of the detection elements 73a in the plurality of sensor-equipped needle-shaped members 43s are different from each other, as shown in FIG. 4C, the kneaded product is prepared by the plurality of detection elements 73a. Temperatures at different depths (D1, D2) can be detected from the upper surface Ks of K. When the plurality of detection elements 73a are arranged at different depths (that is, when the distances from the upper surface Ks of the kneaded product K are different), it is possible to grasp the temperature distribution inside the kneaded product K.

The transfer device 4 may further include adjusting means for adjusting the position of the detection element 73a. In this case, the adjusting means is composed of, for example, a holding member 45 that holds the needle-shaped member 43.

With reference to FIG. 4C, the holding member 45 is individually fixed with a through hole 45h through which the tube portion 71 of the needle-shaped member 43s with a sensor is inserted and a tube portion 71 inserted through the through hole 45h. A fixture (not shown) for the purpose is provided. Thereby, the protruding length of the needle-shaped member 43s with a sensor from the holding member 45 can be adjusted. Therefore, even if there is an error in the distance L10 between the tip position LA of the tube portion 71 and the position of the detection element 73a in manufacturing, the protruding length from the holding member 45 is set for each needle-shaped member 43s with a sensor. By adjusting, the error of the interval L10 can be absorbed.

On the contrary, even when the intervals L10 are different as shown in FIG. 4C, the kneaded product K can be obtained by adjusting the protruding length from the holding member 45 for each of the sensor-equipped needle-shaped members 43s. It is also possible to match the insertion depths (D1, D2) from the upper surface Ks of.

(About preheating means)
With reference to FIG. 2, a heating device 83 as a preheating means is provided in the movable range of the gripping member 41. In the present embodiment, the heating device 83 is provided at the standby position P1. The heating device 83 is composed of, for example, a known infrared heater.

The heating device 83 heats a plurality of needle-shaped members 43 when the gripping member 41 is located at the standby position P1. The heating device 83 heats the needle-shaped member 43 from below, for example, so as to evenly heat the needle-shaped member 43 included in the gripping member 41. Alternatively, a heating device for heating the needle-shaped member 43a of the first group and a heating device for heating the needle-shaped member 43b of the second group may be provided separately.

By providing the heating device 83 at the standby position P1 in this way, the needle-shaped member 43 can be heated in a state where the gripping member 41 does not grip the kneaded material K. That is, the needle-shaped member 43 can be preheated. As a result, it is possible to suppress or prevent the temperature of the kneaded product K from dropping (the kneaded product K cools) due to the needle-shaped member 43 being pierced into the kneaded product K at the receiving position P2. Therefore, it is possible to prevent molding defects due to curing of the kneaded product K.

Further, the reliability of the measured value of the needle-shaped member 43s with a sensor by the temperature sensor 73 can be improved as compared with the case where the needle-shaped member 43 is pierced at room temperature (without preheating). Specifically, since the surface of the kneaded product K tends to be hardened, when the carbon fibers react with air (oxygen) to generate heat inside the kneaded product K having a large number of bubbles, the hardened surface becomes a heat insulating material. Therefore, the inside of the kneaded product K becomes hotter than the surface. In such a case, if the needle-shaped member 43 (needle-shaped member 43s with a sensor) at room temperature is pierced, the temperature drop rate of the kneaded product K is larger than the temperature rise rate of the pipe portion 71 of the needle-shaped member 43s with a sensor. , An error occurs in the measured value of the temperature sensor 73.

Further, when the temperature of the peripheral portion of the pipe portion 71 inserted in the kneaded product K drops below the melting point of the resin, the material of the peripheral portion may be hardened and a dent (sink) may be generated. In this case, the temperature sensor 73 measures the temperature (atmospheric temperature) of the air layer formed by the depression, not the temperature of the kneaded product K itself. Therefore, even in such a case, an error occurs in the value measured by the temperature sensor 73.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, by preheating the needle-shaped member 43, the difference between the temperature of the needle-shaped member 43 and the internal temperature of the kneaded product K can be reduced, so that an error in the measured value by the temperature sensor 73 can be reduced. Can be reduced.

In order to enable the heating device 83 to heat the entire portion of the needle-shaped member 43 inserted into the kneaded material K, the control unit 81 operates the advancing / retreating member 44 even when it is located at the standby position P1. You may pull it out to the position.

On the other hand, if the needle-shaped member 43 is continuously heated at the standby position P1, the needle-shaped member 43 may become too hot. Therefore, it is desirable to detect the temperature of the needle-shaped member 43 to prevent overheating of the needle-shaped member 43. In the present embodiment, the ON / OFF of the heating device 83 can be controlled by using the temperature sensor 73 built in the needle-shaped member 43s with a sensor.

Specifically, the control unit 81 controls the heating device 83 so as to input the detection signal from the temperature sensor 73 and heat the needle-shaped member 43 to the set temperature even in the standby state. As described above, the control unit 81 has a function as a heating control means for controlling the heating of the heating device 83. The set temperature as the upper limit temperature of the preheating may be lower than the temperature of the kneaded product K (allowable lower limit temperature) because it may be a temperature that can prevent or suppress the curing of the kneaded product K.

As described above, in the present embodiment, since the gripping member 41 has at least one needle-shaped member 43s with a sensor, the detection from the common temperature sensor 73 built in the needle-shaped member 43s with a sensor is detected. Based on the signal, the preheating temperature of the needle-shaped member 43 (needle-shaped member 43s with a sensor) itself can be measured during standby, and the temperature of the kneaded product K being gripped during work can be measured.

<Operation of transfer device>
The operation of the transfer device 4 according to the present embodiment will be specifically described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the transfer device 4. Each step shown in FIG. 6 is executed by the control unit 81.

With reference to FIG. 6, the transfer device 4 first preheats the needle-shaped member 43 as a needle at the standby position P1 (step S1). That is, the control unit 81 turns on the heating device 83 when the gripping member 41 is located at the standby position P1.

The transfer device 4 heats the needle-shaped member 43 until the temperature of the needle-shaped member 43 reaches a set temperature. That is, the control unit 81 determines whether or not the temperature measured based on the detection signal from the temperature sensor 73 has reached the set temperature (step S2), and heats the temperature until the measured temperature reaches the set temperature. The device 83 is maintained in the ON state (NO in step S2). When the control unit 81 determines that the measured temperature has reached the set temperature (YES in step S2), the control unit 81 turns off the heating device 83 and stops the preheating of the needle-shaped member 43 (step S3).

Next, the transfer device 4 moves the gripping member 41 to the receiving position P2 (step S4). That is, the control unit 81 drives and controls the moving member 42 to move the gripping member 41 from the standby position P1 to the receiving position P2.

The transfer device 4 picks up the kneaded product K that has been transported to the receiving position P2 (step S5). Specifically, the control unit 81 controls to pull out the advancing / retreating member 44 from the retracted position to the working position. In the present embodiment, since the kneaded material K is pierced into the plurality of preheated needle-shaped members 43, the kneaded material K can be prevented from hardening.

When the kneaded product K is gripped by the gripping member 41, the transfer device 4 determines whether or not the temperature of the gripped kneaded product K is within the permissible range (step S6). That is, the control unit 81 determines whether or not the temperature of the kneaded product K measured based on the detection signal from the temperature sensor 73 is within the allowable range.

If the temperature of the kneaded product K is within the permissible range (YES in step S6), the transfer device 4 transfers the kneaded product K to the molding device 5 (step S7). That is, the control unit 81 drives and controls the moving member 42 to move the gripping member 41 from the receiving position P2 to the delivery position P3, and when the gripping member 41 reaches the delivery position P3, the advance / retreat member 44 is retracted. Return to. As a result, the plurality of needle-shaped members 43 are pulled out from the kneaded product K, and the kneaded product K is inserted (released) into the molding die 50.

If the temperature of the kneaded product K is out of the permissible range (NO in step S6), the transfer device 4 discards the kneaded product K without transferring it to the molding device 5 (step S8). Specifically, the control unit 81 moves the gripping member 41 from the receiving position P2 to a disposal position (not shown), and puts (releases) the kneaded product K gripped by the gripping member 41 into the dust box.

After transferring the kneaded product K to the molding apparatus 5 or discarding the kneaded product K, the control unit 81 returns the gripping member 41 to the standby position P1 again (step S9), and repeats the above process.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the temperature sensor 73 is incorporated in at least one of the plurality of needle-shaped members 43 constituting the gripping member 41, so that the configuration is simple. The temperature of the kneaded product K transferred to the molding apparatus 5 can be measured. Further, since the temperature of the kneaded product K can be measured more accurately than the non-contact temperature measuring method, the temperature of the kneaded product K can be appropriately controlled.

Further, since the temperature sensor 73 incorporated in the needle-shaped member 43 can be used to prevent the needle-shaped member 43 from being overheated by the heating device 83, the needle-shaped member 43 can be efficiently preheated. it can. Further, as a result, the kneaded product K to be transferred to the molding apparatus 5 can be kept at an appropriate temperature with a simple structure.

In the present embodiment, the gripping member 41 pierces the needle-shaped member 43a of the first group and the needle-shaped member 43b of the second group into the upper surface of the kneaded product K to grip (lift) the kneaded product K. However, the kneaded product K may be sandwiched and gripped by the needle-shaped members 43a of the first group and the needle-shaped members 43b of the second group (for example, in the vertical direction or the horizontal direction).

Further, in the present embodiment, the transfer device 4 has been described as transferring the kneaded product K to the molding device 5, but the present invention is not limited. That is, the above-mentioned delivery position P3 may be a position on the device in the subsequent process of the transfer device 4, and is not limited to a position overlapping the molding die 50 of the molding device 5.

Further, in the present embodiment, the heating device 83 is installed at the standby position P1, but the installation location of the heating device 83 is not limited to the standby position P1 as long as the grip member 41 can move.

Further, in the present embodiment, the temperature sensor 73 is built in the needle-shaped member 43, but the temperature sensor 73 is not limited, and the temperature sensor 73 is attached to the outer surface of the general needle-shaped member 43n. May be good. In this case, all the needle-shaped members 43 included in the gripping member 41 may be composed of general needle-shaped members 43n.

It should be considered that the embodiments disclosed this time are exemplary in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown by the scope of claims rather than the above description, and it is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims.

1 Fiber reinforced resin molded product manufacturing equipment, 2 Kneading equipment, 3 Intermediate product manufacturing equipment, 4 Transfer equipment, 5 Molding equipment, 41 Gripping member, 42 Moving member, 43a, 43b, 43n Needle-shaped member, 43s Needle-shaped with sensor Member, 44a, 44b advancing / retreating member, 45a, 45b holding member, 50 molding die, 71 tube part, 72, 72A sharpened part, 73 temperature sensor, 73a detection element, 73b lead wire, 74 sleeve, 75 cable, 76 filler, 81 Control unit, 83 heating device, 140 conveyor, K, K1, K2 kneaded product, P1 standby position, P2 receiving position, P3 delivery position.

Claims (5)

A kneading apparatus for producing a kneaded product of fibers and thermoplastic resin,
By molding a kneaded material which has been cut by the cutting device of the intermediate product manufacturing apparatus located downstream of the kneading apparatus, a molding apparatus for producing a fiber-reinforced resin molded body,
The located downstream of the intermediate product manufacturing apparatus, said intermediate product kneaded material which has been heated by the heating mechanism provided in the manufacturing apparatus, Bei give a kneaded product transfer mechanism for transferring to the forming device,
The kneaded product transfer mechanism includes a needle-like member of several double, a heating means for heating the needle-like member, said needle-shaped member which is heated by the heating means, the kneaded material which has been heated by the heating mechanism moving means and the movement means and the including moving the shaping device the needle-shaped member in the state in which piercing kneaded product manufacturing apparatus of a fiber reinforced plastic molded body for piercing the. The movable range of the gripping member having the needle-shaped member includes a standby position for holding the gripping member on standby.
The apparatus for producing a fiber-reinforced resin molded product according to claim 1, wherein the heating means is provided at the standby position. A temperature sensor provided on the needle-shaped member and
Based on the detection signal from the temperature sensor further comprises a heating control means for controlling said heating means to heat the needle-shaped member to a set temperature, the fiber-reinforced resin molded article according to claim 1 or 2 Manufacturing equipment. The claim further comprises a determination means for determining whether or not to move the needle-shaped member to the molding apparatus based on a detection signal from the temperature sensor when the needle-shaped member is pierced by the kneaded material. 3. The apparatus for manufacturing a fiber-reinforced resin molded product according to 3. Comprising a several needle member birefringence, in the kneaded material transfer method according kneaded product transfer mechanism for holding the kneaded material which has been heated by the heating mechanism provided in the intermediate product producing apparatus for transferring to the molding device There,
A step of heating the needle-shaped member by a heating means,
A step of grasping a kneaded product by piercing the heated said needle member, the kneaded product was warmed by the heating mechanism,
A method for transferring a kneaded product, which comprises a step of moving the needle-shaped member in a state where the kneaded product is pierced to the molding apparatus.

Images