JPH0514834Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] (Field of industrial application) The present invention relates to a composite material bending forming device, and in particular, a composite material bending forming device that allows continuous and automatic height adjustment of side blocks. Regarding equipment.

(Prior Art) Methods for integrally molding various structures such as outer panels, frames, and reinforced outer panels of aircraft, automobiles, etc. using composite materials are known (for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 58-205730, (See Publication No. 59-129119). In this kind of method,
Each member is preformed in advance and these members are assembled to create a desired structure.

Incidentally, the member to be preformed is formed by laminating a plurality of sheets of prepreg and then bending it into various shapes such as L-shape and U-shape. Figures 3a to 3e show process diagrams for producing preformed parts using conventional composite folding equipment. This type of device is
A mandrel 32 is fixed on top, and side blocks 33 each consisting of a plurality of blocks are arranged on both sides of the mandrel. To explain the process diagram, a pre-laminated prepreg 35 is placed on top of the device (Figure 3a), a vacuum bag 36 is placed on top of it (Figure 3b), and a vacuum is applied using a vacuum pump (not shown) or the like. The inside of the bag 36 is evacuated (c in the same figure).
At this time, the mandrel 32 is preheated to an appropriate temperature. After the prepreg 35 is adapted to the mandrel 32 by evacuation, the inside of the vacuum bag 36 is returned to atmospheric pressure, the vacuum bag 36 is removed, and one of the side blocks 33 on both sides is removed (d). And then vacuum bug 3 again
6 and evacuate the inside (e). Figure d
Steps 2 and 3 are repeated until the preformed member completely assumes an L-shape or a U-shape. In addition, the code|symbol 37 is a heat-resistant sealant.

(Problems to be solved by the invention) However, in the conventional composite material bending and forming apparatus, there is a problem in that the above-mentioned side block 33 must be removed manually, and it is not possible to automate the bending and forming process. I couldn't do it. Incidentally, if the height of the side block 33 is changed manually, the timing of removing the block will be slightly different each time, causing a problem that the quality of the product will vary. Furthermore, the molding process takes a long time, causing the problem that the preheated mandrel 32 cools down as the process progresses.

Therefore, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a composite material bending and forming device that can solve the problems of the conventional techniques mentioned above, automate the bending and forming process, and stabilize the quality of the product. be.

(Means for Solving the Problems) In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a composite material bending and forming device for bending and forming laminated flat prepregs. The device is equipped with a mandrel heating device, side blocks that are movable up and down on both sides of the mandrel, and a pillow base that can be fixed with a vacuum bag that is placed over the mandrel and side blocks. This is a characteristic feature.

(Function) According to the present invention, the stacked prepregs are placed on top of the device, a vacuum bag is placed over the prepreg, and the inside of the vacuum bag is evacuated to form a preformed member. In the process, the step of lowering the side block can be performed automatically without removing the vacuum bag.

(Example) Hereinafter, an example of a composite material bending and forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of the apparatus. In the figure, reference numeral 1 indicates a steel pillow base, and a bending device is attached to the center of the pillow base 1. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 1. As is clear from the figure, the bed base 1 is provided with a box body 2 with an upward opening in the longitudinal direction, and a long steel mandrel is attached to the center of the bottom of the box body 2 via a steel support leg 3. 5 is installed. Further, a pair of long steel side blocks 6, 6 are provided on both sides of the mandrel 5, and the side blocks 6 can be moved up and down by the rotation of a lifting handle 7 (Fig. 1). There is. The side blocks 6 and the lifting handle 7 are connected by a known means such as a gear (not shown), so that the operations of the pair of side blocks 6 are synchronized. Various devices can be used to move the side block 6 up and down, such as a telescopic cylinder and an electric motor, but in any case, it is preferable that the device be equipped with a brake. Further, the side block 6 is guided in vertical movement via a guide post 8 supported by the box body 2. On the other hand, a heating device 9 is attached to the support leg 3 of the mandrel 5. This heating device 9 is an electric heater 11
may be configured to be embedded in the support leg 3, or a hot air passage 10 may be formed in the support leg 3 and this passage 1
It may be configured so that hot air is blown into the mandrel 5, or furthermore, a heater may be embedded in the mandrel 5.

Next, the process of producing a preformed member using the composite material bending apparatus according to the present invention will be explained with reference to FIG.

A prepreg 12 laminated in advance in the form of a flat plate is placed on the mandrel 5 and the side block 6, and a vacuum bag 13 made of nylon is placed over it.
The vacuum bag 13 is fixed to the bed base 1 via a heat-resistant sealant 15, and a closed space 1 is formed inside the bag 13.
6 is formed. Inside this closed space 16 is the suction port 1.
Vacuum is drawn through 7. Note that a vacuum pump (not shown) is connected to the suction port 17.
In these steps, the prepreg 12 is bent along the side edges of the mandrel 5. Next, the lifting handle 7 is rotated to continuously lower the pair of side blocks 6 in synchronization. This lowering continues until the prepreg 12 assumes a complete U-shape. In the illustrated example, a U-shape is created, but it is clear that an L-shape can be created by using only one side block 6. Further, during the above-described process, the mandrel 5 is constantly heated by the heating device 9.

In addition, at the stage of lowering the side block 6, it is also possible to perform this lowering operation in stages and open the inside of the closed space 16 to the atmosphere each time. Release is provided by release valve 18 (FIG. 1).

However, according to the present invention, the side block 6
Since the vertical movement of the vacuum bag 13 is performed continuously and automatically, there is no need to remove the vacuum bag 13 during the work as in the conventional case, and work efficiency can be greatly improved. Furthermore, the timing of removing the side blocks 6 does not differ slightly each time, and the problem of variations in product quality can be solved. Furthermore, since the mandrel 5 is constantly heated, it does not cool down as the process progresses, and this inconvenience can be solved.

According to the above embodiment, the mandrel 5 is fixed and the side block 6 is movable up and down, but it is also possible to make the mandrel 5 movable up and down.

[Effect of idea]

With the above configuration, according to the present invention,
It is possible to provide a composite material bending apparatus that can automate the bending process and stabilize the quality of the product.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the composite material bending forming device according to the present invention, Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the same, and Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the same.
Figures a to e are cross-sectional views showing the forming process in a conventional composite material bending forming apparatus. 1...Pedestal, 2...Box, 3...Support legs, 5...
... Mandrel, 6 ... Side block, 7 ... Lifting handle, 9 ... Warming device, 12 ... Prepreg, 13 ... Vacuum bag, 15 ... Heat-resistant sealant, 16 ... Closed space, 18 ... Release valve.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] A composite material bending and forming apparatus for bending and forming laminated flat prepregs includes a fixed mandrel, a heating device for the mandrel, and side blocks that are vertically movable on both sides of the mandrel. 1. A composite material bending and forming apparatus characterized by comprising: a pillow base to which a vacuum bag can be fixedly attached to the mandrel and the side block from above.