TW202132080A - Thermoforming device - Google Patents

Abstract

This thermoforming device is configured such that a heater is disposed outside an accommodating case, and a forming mold is detachably disposed within the accommodating case through a first opening section and is heated by the heater outside the accommodating case. The thermoforming device comprises a forming mold moving means, which, when an object to be formed is thermoformed by being pressed in a second direction by air pressure and pressed against the forming surface of the forming mold, moves the forming mold, in the second direction, from a separated position which is a position separated from a cooling plate in a first direction, and disposes the forming mold at a contact position, which is a position in contact with the cooling plate.

Description

Thermoforming device

The invention relates to a thermoforming device.

Patent Document 1 discloses a hot press device for performing hot press processing according to the following process: after heating and pressing a workpiece in a heated metal mold, the metal mold is cooled and the workpiece is heated and pressed. The workpiece is cooled in the metal mold. This hot pressing device is provided with a plurality of mold bases each equipped with a metal mold, at least one mold base selected from the plurality of mold bases that can be mounted, a press for pressing the mounted mold bases, and a plurality of mold bases. In the mold base, a mold base replacement device installed on the mold base of the press and a temperature adjustment device that heats and cools the metal mold provided in each mold base are replaced. In this hot pressing device, the temperature adjusting device operates to preheat the metal molds of the mold bases when the mold bases are not installed on the press, and to cool the mold bases when the mold bases are installed on the press The metal mold of the mold base. [Prior Technical Literature] [Patent Literature]

Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Publication No. 2006-35430

[The problem that the invention wants to solve]

In addition, as a thermoforming device, the inventor of the present application invented the following thermoforming device. Specifically, this thermoforming apparatus includes: a hot plate for heating a part to be formed of a thermoplastic sheet; a forming die for forming the sheet and having a forming surface on the upper surface of the forming die; a cooling plate and the forming die The heater is in contact with the lower surface of the cooling plate and heats the forming mold via the cooling plate; and the housing shell has a first opening that opens upwards and houses the The forming mold, the cooling plate, and the heater.

The thermoforming device clamps the sheet between the hot plate located above the accommodating shell and the accommodating shell, and at the same time, the first opening of the accommodating shell is blocked by the hot plate. In this state, The formed part of the sheet heated by contact with the lower surface of the hot plate (for example, the formed part softened by being heated by the hot plate to a temperature higher than the glass transition temperature) is pressed downward by air pressure , And then push it to the forming surface of the forming mold heated by the heater for thermoforming (forming). Then, the sheet material that has been thermoformed into the molded part is cooled by the cooling plate in contact with the lower surface of the forming mold via the forming mold to harden the molded part.

However, in this thermoforming apparatus, it takes a long time to cool the formed part of the thermoformed sheet. Specifically, in this thermoforming apparatus, the heater is fixed at a position in contact with the lower surface of the cooling plate. Therefore, during the cooling of the formed portion of the thermoformed sheet by the cooling plate via the forming die, the heater is in contact with the lower surface of the cooling plate, and therefore, the heat of the heater is directly transferred to the cooling plate. In other words, the cooling plate not only absorbs the heat of the forming mold and the part to be formed, but also absorbs the heat of the heater that has reached a high temperature. Therefore, it takes a long time to cool the formed portion of the thermoformed sheet.

The present invention has been completed in view of this current situation, and an object thereof is to provide a thermoforming apparatus capable of shortening the cooling time of the formed portion of the thermoformed sheet. [Means used to solve the problem]

One solution of the present invention is a thermoforming device, including: Hot plate, heating the formed part of the thermoplastic sheet; The accommodating shell has a first opening that opens in a first direction; The cooling plate is accommodated in the accommodating shell; A forming die for forming the formed portion of the sheet material, having a forming surface on the surface of the forming die, the forming die has the surface facing the first direction, and the back surface of the forming die faces the same. In the second direction opposite to the first direction, in the housing case, the cooling plate is arranged on the side of the first opening; and A heater to heat the forming mold, The sheet is clamped between the hot plate and the accommodating housing that are located in the first direction with respect to the accommodating housing, and the accommodating housing is blocked by the hot plate at the same time The first opening portion of the body, in this state, the molded portion is brought into contact with the heating surface of the hot plate facing the second direction to be heated, and the heated portion is heated by air pressure. The formed part is pressed in the second direction, and then pushed against the forming surface of the forming mold heated by the heater to perform thermoforming, wherein: The heater is arranged outside the accommodating shell, The forming mold is arranged in the accommodating shell, detachable via the first opening, and configured to be heated by the heater outside the accommodating shell, When the forming mold heated by the heater is disposed in the accommodating shell through the first opening from the outside of the accommodating shell, the thermoforming device causes the forming The mold is arranged in the accommodating shell at a distance away from the cooling plate along the first direction, The thermoforming device includes: The forming mold moving mechanism presses the formed part in the second direction by the air pressure, and then pushes it against the forming surface of the forming mold to perform thermoforming, causing the The forming mold is moved from the remote position to the second direction so as to be arranged at a contact position in contact with the cooling plate, The part to be formed after being pressed to the forming surface and thermoformed is pressed against the forming surface of the forming die arranged at the contact position, and is passed by the cooling plate through the The forming mold is cooled.

The above-mentioned thermoforming device includes: a hot plate that heats the molded part of the thermoplastic sheet; a housing housing having a first opening that opens in a first direction (for example, an upward direction); and a cooling plate that is accommodated in the housing Set in the shell. In addition, the above-mentioned thermoforming apparatus further includes: a forming die, a portion to be formed for forming (forming) the sheet, and a forming surface on the surface of the forming die; and a heater to heat the forming die. Wherein, the forming mold faces the first direction (for example, upward direction), and the back surface of the forming mold faces the second direction (for example, downward direction) opposite to the first direction, in the accommodating case, The relatively cooling plate is arranged on the side of the first opening (that is, the position in the first direction with respect to the cooling plate).

The thermoforming device clamps the sheet between the hot plate located in the first direction relative to the accommodating shell and the accommodating shell, and at the same time, the first opening of the accommodating shell is blocked by the hot plate. In this state Next, the formed part of the sheet is brought into contact with the heating surface of the hot plate facing the second direction to be heated (for example, the formed part is heated to a temperature above the glass transition temperature to soften), and the air pressure is used to heat the The latter part to be formed is pressed in the second direction, and then pushed against the forming surface of the forming die (forming die arranged in the housing shell) heated by the heater for thermoforming (forming).

In addition, in the above-mentioned thermoforming device, the heater is arranged outside the housing case. In addition, the forming mold is arranged in the accommodating case and can be detached through the first opening. Therefore, the forming mold can be taken out to the outside of the accommodating case through the first opening, and the forming mold can be heated by the heater arranged outside the accommodating case. In this way, the cooling plate is kept in the state of being housed in the accommodating shell, only the forming mold is taken out of the accommodating shell, and the forming mold is heated only by the heater arranged outside the accommodating shell, thereby Compared with the case where, for example, the forming mold is heated by the heater arranged inside the housing case via the cooling plate, the forming mold can be heated efficiently. For example, the temperature of the forming die can be quickly increased to the preset first target temperature.

In addition, the above-mentioned thermoforming apparatus is equipped with a forming mold moving mechanism as described below. When the forming mold heated by the heater is placed in the accommodating shell through the first opening from the outside of the accommodating shell, the forming mold moving mechanism causes the forming mold to be arranged in the accommodating shell away from the cooling in the first direction The remote position of the board. In addition, when the formed part of the sheet heated in contact with the heating surface of the hot plate is subsequently pressed in the second direction by air pressure, and then pressed against the forming surface of the forming die for thermoforming, this The forming die moving mechanism moves the forming die from the remote position to the second direction, and arranges it at the contact position in contact with the cooling plate. As a result, the formed portion after being pressed against the forming surface of the forming mold and thermoformed is in a state of being pressed against the forming surface of the forming mold (that is, the forming mold in contact with the cooling plate) disposed at the contact position , Cooled by the cooling plate through the forming die.

Therefore, in the above-mentioned thermoforming apparatus, the cooling plate is not heated by the heater while the part to be formed after being pressed against the forming surface and thermoformed is cooled by the cooling plate via the forming die. Therefore, the part to be formed after thermoforming can be rapidly cooled by the cooling plate via the forming die. For example, the temperature of the formed part after thermoforming can be quickly reduced to a preset second target temperature (for example, a temperature at which the formed part is sufficiently hardened).

Therefore, according to the above-mentioned thermoforming apparatus, the cooling time of the formed portion of the sheet after thermoforming can be shortened. In other words, according to the above-mentioned thermoforming apparatus, it is possible to increase the cooling rate of the formed portion of the sheet after thermoforming.

Furthermore, in the above-mentioned thermoforming apparatus, at least immediately before the thermoforming of the part to be formed is started, the forming die is arranged at a position away from the cooling plate in the first direction, and therefore, it is difficult to be cooled by the cooling plate. Therefore, before the thermoforming of the formed part is started, the temperature of the forming mold heated in advance by the heater is not easily lowered. Therefore, the formed part heated by the hot plate is pushed against the forming surface of the forming mold. In this case, it is easy to imitate the shape of the forming surface of the forming mold to shape the formed portion of the sheet material (the shape of the forming surface of the forming mold can be accurately imitated to shape the formed portion of the sheet material).

Furthermore, as the forming mold moving mechanism, for example, an elastic member (for example, a spring member) that elastically contracts in the second direction and an air cylinder (for example, an air cylinder) that can be contracted in the second direction can be cited.

In the case of using an elastic member as the forming mold moving mechanism, for example, the part to be formed is pressed in the second direction by air pressure, and then pushed against the forming surface of the forming mold, and at the same time, the forming is formed by the air pressure The mold is pressed in the second direction together with the portion to be molded, whereby the elastic member is elastically contracted in the second direction, and the molding mold is moved from the distanced position to the second direction, thereby disposing it at the contact position.

In addition, in the case of using an air cylinder as the forming mold moving mechanism, for example, in order to thermoform the formed part of the sheet by the forming mold, the air cylinder is moved to the second direction immediately before pressing the formed part in the second direction by air pressure. By shrinking in the second direction, the forming die arranged at the remote position is moved from the remote position to the second direction, and the mold is arranged at the contact position in contact with the cooling plate.

Therefore, "when the part to be formed is pressed in the second direction by air pressure, and then it is pushed to the forming surface of the forming mold for thermoforming" includes: "the part to be formed is pressed in the second direction by air pressure , And then push it to the forming surface of the forming mold, and start the heat of the formed part, at the same time", and "in order to heat the formed part of the sheet by the forming mold, it will be formed by air pressure Before pressing in the second direction".

Furthermore, thermoforming refers to the pressing of the formed part in the second direction by contacting the heated surface of the hot plate with air pressure (softened by heating), and then pushing it against the heated surface of the hot plate. The forming surface of the forming mold heated by the device is shaped (deformed along the forming surface).

In addition, as a method of "pressing the part to be formed in contact with the heating surface of the hot plate and heated by air pressure in the second direction, and then pushing it against the forming surface of the forming mold heated by the heater" For example, the following three methods can be listed. Furthermore, a forming mold, a cooling plate, an accommodating shell, and a hot plate will be provided, and the sheet will be clamped between the accommodating shell and the hot plate accommodating the forming mold and the cooling plate, and the hot plate will be used to seal the sheet. The device accommodating the first opening of the housing serves as a shaping element.

Method (1): In the internal space of the forming element, the second space (for example, the lower space) located in the second direction (for example, below) is decompressed (evacuated) so that the relatively sheet is positioned in the second direction. The air pressure (air pressure) in the first space (for example, the upper space) in one direction (for example, the upper space) is higher than the air pressure (air pressure) in the second space, by holding the sheet in the opposite direction The pressure difference between the first space and the second space (the amount of difference in air pressure) in the sheet is in contact with the heating surface of the hot plate and the heated part to be formed is pressed in the second direction, and then the formed part is pushed to The forming surface of the forming mold heated by the heater.

Method (2): In the internal space of the forming element, compressed air is supplied to the first space where the sheet material is located in the first direction, so that the air pressure (air pressure) in the first space is higher than that in the second space. The air pressure (air pressure) in the space, the pressure difference between the first space and the second space (the difference in air pressure) between the first space and the second space that hold the sheet in the opposite direction, brings the sheet in contact with the heating surface of the hot plate The heated part to be formed is pressed in the second direction, and the formed part is pushed against the forming surface of the forming mold heated by the heater.

Method (3): A method combining the aforementioned methods (1) and (2). That is, in the internal space of the forming element, the second space is decompressed (evacuated), and compressed air is supplied into the first space, so that the air pressure (air pressure) in the first space is high The air pressure (air pressure) in the second space changes the pressure difference between the first space and the second space (the difference in air pressure) between the sheet and the hot plate. The heated surface of the contact and the heated formed part is pressed in the second direction, and the formed part is pushed against the forming surface of the forming mold heated by the heater.

In addition, according to the thermoforming device, optionally, after the portion to be formed cooled by the cooling plate via the forming die is moved to the outside of the housing shell, in order to The heater on the outside of the accommodating shell heats the forming mold, and the forming mold is taken out to the outside of the accommodating shell through the first opening, and then, in order to thermoform a new mold The part to be formed is configured to place the forming mold heated to the first target temperature by the heater at the remote position in the accommodating case through the first opening, and then, relative to The accommodating shell sandwiches the sheet containing the new formed part between the hot plate in the first direction and the accommodating shell, and at the same time is sealed by the hot plate The first opening of the accommodating shell is blocked, and in this state, the formed portion is heated by contacting the heating surface of the hot plate, and the heated portion is heated by the air pressure. The formed portion is pressed in the second direction, and then pushed against the forming surface of the forming mold for thermoforming.

In the above-mentioned thermoforming apparatus, after the forming of the part to be formed currently being formed is completed, the forming mold is taken out to the outside of the accommodating case in order to heat the forming mold by the heater arranged outside the accommodating case. Then, in order to thermoform a new part to be formed, the forming mold heated to the first target temperature by the heater outside the housing shell is arranged at the remote position in the housing shell through the first opening, Thus, the hot forming of the new part to be formed is performed. By repeating such a series of work, it is possible to form a plurality of parts to be formed in sequence.

Furthermore, the first target temperature T1 is preferably set to the glass transition temperature Tg of the sheet or a temperature close to Tg (for example, a temperature in the range of Tg-20°C≦T1≦Tg+20°C). By setting the first target temperature T1 to such a temperature, when the formed portion of the sheet material softened by heating of the hot plate is pushed against the forming surface of the forming mold, it is easy to imitate the shape of the forming surface of the forming mold. Shape the formed part of the sheet (the shape of the formed part of the sheet can be shaped by accurately imitating the shape of the forming surface of the forming die).

In addition, one molding die may be used repeatedly, or a plurality of them may be used repeatedly in sequence. When multiple forming dies are used repeatedly in sequence, a plurality of heaters for heating the forming dies are also prepared (for example, the same number as the number of forming dies), and the first forming dies selected from the plural forming dies are arranged During the period when the accommodating shell is used for forming, other forming molds can be heated by a heater arranged outside the accommodating shell. In addition, after the first forming mold is taken out of the accommodating shell, another forming mold (second forming mold) heated to the first target temperature by the heater may be arranged in the accommodating shell. Move away from the position, and form a new part to be formed. In this way, the cycle time for molding can be shortened.

Moreover, the cycle time of forming (1 cycle time) refers to the end of the forming of the currently being formed part and the movement of the part to the outside of the forming mold to the end of the forming of a new part to be formed and The time until the new part to be formed moves to the outside of the forming die.

In addition, according to any one of the thermoforming devices, optionally, as the forming mold moving mechanism, an elastic member that elastically contracts in the second direction is provided on a surface side of the cooling plate facing the first direction , After the forming mold heated by the heater is disposed at the remote position in the accommodating shell through the first opening, the air pressure will be combined with the hot plate The heated surface contacts and presses the formed part in the second direction, and then pushes it against the forming surface of the forming mold, and starts the thermoforming of the formed part, and At the same time, by the air pressure, the forming mold is pressed in the second direction together with the part to be formed, so that the elastic member is elastically contracted in the second direction, and the contracted part is compressed in the second direction. The elastic member is entirely accommodated in a recess formed on the surface of the cooling plate, and the forming mold is moved from the away position to the second direction, thereby disposing it in the contact Location.

In the above-mentioned thermoforming apparatus, as the forming mold moving mechanism, an elastic member that elastically contracts in the second direction is provided on the surface side of the cooling plate facing the first direction. In this thermoforming device, the part to be formed is pressed in the second direction by air pressure, and then it is pushed to the forming surface of the forming mold, and the thermoforming of the part to be formed is started. The air pressure presses the forming mold in the second direction together with the part to be formed, thereby elastically shrinking the elastic member in the second direction, so that the forming mold can be moved from the remote position to the second direction, and the forming mold can be placed in the second direction. Contact location. As a result, it is possible to cool down the state in which the formed part after thermoforming is pressed against the forming surface and pressed against the forming surface of the forming mold (ie, the forming mold in contact with the cooling plate) arranged at the contact position. The plate cools the formed part via the forming die.

In addition, according to any one of the thermoforming devices, optionally, after the portion to be formed is cooled by the cooling plate via the forming mold, the forming mold is moved from the forming mold by the forming mold moving mechanism. The contact position moves to the distant position.

In the above-mentioned thermoforming apparatus, after the part to be formed is cooled by the cooling plate via the forming die, the forming die is moved from the contact position to the distant position by the forming die moving mechanism. As a result, the thermoforming device is restored to the state where the forming mold is arranged at the remote position in the accommodating case by the forming mold moving mechanism.

Therefore, after that, the part to be formed cooled by the cooling plate is moved to the outside of the accommodating case, and the forming mold is taken out to the outside of the accommodating case through the first opening, and then a new part is formed for thermoforming. When the forming mold heated by the heater outside the housing shell is arranged in the housing shell through the first opening from the outside of the housing shell, the forming mold can be arranged in the housing shell. The remote location.

Furthermore, when the aforementioned elastic member is provided as the forming die moving mechanism, after the part to be formed is cooled by the cooling plate via the forming die, the air pressure is released (that is, the air pressure is released to the second part to be formed). Directional pressing), thereby, the elastic member can be elastically extended in the first direction, and the forming die can be moved from the contact position to the away position. As a result, the thermoforming device is restored to the state where the forming mold is arranged at the remote position in the accommodating case by the elastic member.

＜Type of implementation＞ Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a thermoforming device 1 in an embodiment, that is, a schematic configuration diagram of the thermoforming device 1. 2 to 7 are other explanatory diagrams of the thermoforming device 1 in the embodiment, that is, a diagram explaining the flow of the method of forming the sheet 10 by the thermoforming device 1.

As shown in FIG. 1, the thermoforming apparatus 1 of this embodiment includes a hot plate 20, a forming mold 30, a cooling plate 40, a heater 50, and a housing case 60. Among them, the hot plate 20 is composed of a rectangular flat metal plate, and is used to heat the formed portion 11 of the thermoplastic sheet 10. Furthermore, a heater not shown in the figure for heating the hot plate 20 is provided on the upper surface side of the hot plate 20. The hot plate 20 is heated by this heater (not shown) to a predetermined temperature (a temperature higher than the set temperature of the glass transition temperature of the sheet 10). In addition, the accommodating case 60 is formed in a rectangular box shape, and has a first opening 61 that opens upward (the first direction D1).

As shown in FIG. 1, the cooling plate 40 is composed of a flat metal plate and is accommodated in the accommodating shell 60. The cooling plate 40 is fixed in the accommodating shell 60 in a form supported by a plurality of pillars 45 located between the lower surface of the cooling plate 40 (the surface facing the second direction D2) and the bottom surface of the accommodating shell 60. The cooling plate 40 has a flow passage 41 through which the cooling liquid CL flows in the inside of the cooling plate 40. The flow channel 41 in the cooling plate 40 is connected to a liquid circulation pipe 80 connected to a cooling liquid thermostat not shown in the figure. The cooling liquid CL circulates between the cooling liquid thermostat (not shown) and the flow passage 41 in the cooling plate 40 via the liquid circulation pipe 80.

In addition, in FIGS. 1 to 7, as the liquid flow pipe 80, only the liquid flow pipe on the side (set to the IN side) where the cooling liquid CL is supplied to the flow passage 41 in the cooling plate 40 is shown, and the liquid flow pipe is omitted from The flow channel 41 in the cooling plate 40 is an illustration of a liquid flow pipe on the side (OUT side) where the cooling liquid CL is discharged. In addition, a valve 81 is provided on the liquid flow pipe 80 on the IN side. In addition, in this embodiment, water is used as the cooling liquid CL, and the temperature of the water as the cooling liquid CL is adjusted to 30°C in a cooling liquid thermostat not shown in the figure. Therefore, in this embodiment, the cooling liquid CL (water) whose temperature is adjusted to 30° C. is supplied to the flow passage 41 in the cooling plate 40. In addition, in the present embodiment, usually, the cooling liquid CL circulates to the flow passage 41 in the cooling plate 40.

As shown in FIG. 1, the heater 50 is formed in a flat plate shape and is provided outside the accommodating case 60. The heater 50 heats the forming mold 30 outside the accommodating shell 60.

The forming mold 30 is a metal mold that forms a rectangle in a plan view and is used for forming (forming) the formed portion 11 of the sheet 10. The molding die 30 has a molding surface 31 for molding the portion 11 to be molded on the surface 30 b of the molding die 30. The forming mold 30 is disposed in the accommodating shell 60 and can be detached through the first opening 61 of the accommodating shell 60. After the molding die 30 is heated by the heater 50 outside the accommodating case 60 as shown in FIG. 1, the surface 30b faces the first direction D1 (upward) as shown in FIG. In the second direction D2 (downward) opposite to the direction D1, the cooling plate 40 is arranged on the side of the first opening 61 in the housing case 60 (that is, the position in the first direction D1 relative to the cooling plate 40) . Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first direction D1 is taken as the upward direction, and the second direction D2 is taken as the downward direction.

In addition, the thermoforming apparatus 1 of this embodiment is provided with an air pressure adjusting device 150. The air pressure adjusting device 150 includes a compressor 165, a pressurizing tank 160 that stores compressed air generated by the compressor 165, a vacuum pump 175, and a vacuum tank 170 connected to (communication) with the vacuum pump 175. The pressurizing tank 160 and the vacuum tank 170 are each arranged so as to be connectable to a vent hole (not shown) that penetrates the hot plate 20 in the vertical direction. In addition, the pressurizing tank 160 and the vacuum tank 170 are respectively arranged so as to be connectable to a vent hole (not shown) that penetrates the bottom of the housing case 60 in the vertical direction.

In addition, the thermoforming apparatus 1 of this embodiment includes an air pressure control unit 130 that controls the air pressure adjusting device 150. Furthermore, the air pressure control unit 130 constitutes a part of the control device 100 composed of a microcomputer. Here, a molding die 30, a cooling plate 40, a housing case 60, and a hot plate 20 are provided, and the sheet 10 is sandwiched between the hot plate 20 and the first opening 61 and closed by the hot plate 20 The device containing the forming mold 30 and the first opening 61 of the housing 60 of the cooling plate 40 serves as the forming element 2 (see FIG. 4 ).

The air pressure control unit 130 performs, for example, the following control: the lower surface (the surface including the heating surface 20c) of the hot plate 20 located above the accommodating housing 60 (the first direction D1 with respect to the accommodating housing 60) and the housing With the sheet 10 sandwiched between the upper ends 62 of the housing 60, the vacuum chamber 170 is connected to the vent (not shown) of the hot plate 20 of the forming element 2 and the vacuum pump 175 is driven. Thereby, it is possible to pass through the vent holes of the hot plate 20 of the forming element 2 to the inner space of the forming element 2 (including the vent holes of the hot plate 20, the same below) located above the sheet 10 (first direction D1) Decompression (vacuum) is performed in the space (the first space). As a result, the air pressure (air pressure) in the upper space in the internal space of the forming element 2 is lower than the air pressure (air pressure) in the lower space (second space) below the sheet 10 (second direction D2). Air pressure), by sandwiching the sheet 10 and the pressure difference (the difference in air pressure) between the upper space and the lower space located above and below, the sheet 10 (formed portion 11) can be closely attached to the upper hot plate The heating surface 20c of 20 (see Figure 4).

In addition, the air pressure control unit 130 also performs, for example, the following control: in a state where the sheet 10 is sandwiched between the hot plate 20 located above the accommodating case 60 and the upper end 62 of the accommodating case 60, The pressure groove 160 is connected to a vent hole (not shown) of the housing case 60 of the forming element 2, and compressed air is supplied from the pressure groove 160 to the vent hole of the housing case 60. As a result, in the internal space of the forming element 2, compressed air can be supplied to the lower space below the sheet 10 to be pressurized. Thus, in the internal space of the forming element 2, the air pressure (air pressure) in the lower space is higher than the air pressure (air pressure) in the upper space, and the sheet 10 is sandwiched in the upper and lower spaces. The pressure difference (the amount of difference in air pressure) from the lower space enables the sheet 10 (to be formed by the forming part 11) to be pushed and closely adhered to the heating surface 20c of the hot plate 20 located above (see FIG. 4).

In addition, the air pressure control unit 130 also performs, for example, the following control: in a state where the sheet 10 is sandwiched and heated between the hot plate 20 located above the accommodating case 60 and the upper end 62 of the accommodating case 60, The vacuum groove 170 is connected to a vent (not shown) of the housing case 60 of the forming element 2 and drives the vacuum pump 175. Thereby, in the internal space of the forming element 2, the lower space located below the sheet 10 can be decompressed (evacuated). As a result, the air pressure (air pressure) in the lower space is lower than the air pressure (air pressure) in the upper space, and the upper and lower spaces are positioned between the upper and lower spaces by sandwiching the sheet 10 The pressure difference (the amount of difference in air pressure) is capable of pressing the formed part 11 heated in contact with the heating surface 20c of the hot plate 20 in the sheet 10 downward, thereby pushing the formed part 11 against the heater 50. The forming surface 31 of the forming mold 30 after heating is subjected to thermoforming (see FIG. 5).

In addition, the air pressure control unit 130 also performs, for example, the following control: a sheet is clamped between the hot plate 20 located above the accommodating case 60 and the upper end 62 (the end in the first direction D1) of the accommodating case 60 While the material 10 is being heated, the pressurizing groove 160 is connected to the vent hole (not shown) of the hot plate 20 of the forming element 2, and compressed air is supplied from the pressurizing groove 160 to the vent hole of the hot plate 20. As a result, in the internal space of the forming element 2, compressed air can be supplied and pressurized to the upper space located above the sheet 10. As a result, the air pressure (air pressure) in the upper space is made higher than the air pressure (air pressure) in the lower space, and the upper space and the upper space in the upper and lower (opposite directions) are positioned by sandwiching the sheet 10 The pressure difference (the difference in air pressure) in the lower space can press the formed portion 11 heated in contact with the heating surface 20c of the hot plate 20 in the sheet 10 downward, thereby pushing the formed portion 11 to The forming surface 31 of the forming mold 30 heated by the heater 50 is subjected to thermoforming (see FIG. 5 ).

As this kind of thermoforming device 1, the sheet 10 is clamped between the hot plate 20 located above the accommodating shell 60 and the upper end 62 of the accommodating shell 60, and is sealed by the sheet 10 and the hot plate 20 at the same time. The first opening 61 of the housing case 60 is blocked, and in this state, the molded portion 11 is brought into contact with the heating surface 20c of the hot plate 20 to be heated (for example, the temperature of the molded portion 11 is heated by being heated by the hot plate 20). The sheet 10 is softened at a temperature above the glass transition temperature and below the melting point), and the heated sheet 10 is heated by the air pressure adjusted by the air pressure adjusting device 150 (air pressure in the internal space of the forming element 2) The forming part 11 is pressed downward (in the second direction D2), and then pushed against the forming surface 31 of the forming mold 30 heated by the heater 50 to perform thermoforming (forming).

In addition, in the thermoforming apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the heater 50 is arranged outside the housing case 60. In addition, the forming mold 30 is disposed in the accommodating case 60 and can be detached through the first opening 61. Therefore, the forming mold 30 can be taken out to the outside of the accommodating case 60 through the first opening 61, and the forming mold 30 can be heated by the heater 50 disposed outside the accommodating case 60 (see FIGS. 1 and 7 ).

In this way, the cooling plate 40 is kept in the state of being accommodated in the accommodating case 60, and only the forming mold 30 is taken out to the outside of the accommodating case 60, and only the heater 50 is arranged outside the accommodating case 60. By heating the forming mold 30, the forming mold 30 can be heated efficiently, for example, compared to a case where the forming mold 30 is heated by the heater 50 arranged inside the housing case 60 via the cooling plate 40. Specifically, the temperature of the forming die 30 can be quickly increased to the preset first target temperature T1.

In addition, the thermoforming apparatus 1 of this embodiment is provided with a spring member 70 (elastic member) as a forming mold moving mechanism (see FIG. 1). The spring member 70 is a coil spring, and four are provided on the side of the surface 40 b facing the first direction D1 (upward) of the cooling plate 40. In detail, the surface 40b of the cooling plate 40 is formed with four not-shown recesses (the same number as the spring members 70). The lower end (the end in the second direction D2) is accommodated in the recess, and the portion of the spring member 70 in the unloaded state that is higher than the lower end is located above the surface 40b of the cooling plate 40, and the spring The lower end of the member 70 is fixed to the bottom surface of the recess in this manner. The spring member 70 elastically contracts in the second direction D2 and elastically expands in the first direction D1.

When the forming mold 30 heated by the heater 50 is placed in the accommodating case 60 through the first opening 61 from the outside of the accommodating case 60, the spring member 70 (molding mold moving mechanism) makes the forming mold 30 It is arranged in a position away from the cooling plate 40 in the accommodating shell 60 along the first direction D1 (above) (see FIG. 2 ). In detail, when the forming die 30 is placed in the accommodating housing 60 through the first opening 61 from the outside of the accommodating housing 60, the back 30c of the forming die 30 is connected to the upper end of the spring member 70 (in the first direction). The end portion of D1) is supported by the spring member 70 in such a manner that the forming die 30 is arranged at the remote position in the accommodating case 60. Furthermore, the forming mold 30 is arranged at a position away from the cooling plate 40 in the first direction D1 (upward) so that the surface 30b faces the first direction D1 (upward) and the back face 30c faces the second direction D2 (downward).

In addition, the air pressure adjusted by the air pressure adjusting device 150 (the air pressure in the internal space of the forming element 2) will contact the heating surface 20c of the hot plate 20 to heat the formed portion 11 of the sheet 10 When pressing in the second direction D2 (downward) and then pushing it against the forming surface 31 of the forming die 30 for thermoforming, the spring member 70 (forming die moving mechanism) causes the forming die 30 to move from the remote position to the second Move in two directions D2 (downward), and arrange it at the contact position where the back surface 30c of the forming die 30 and the surface 40b of the cooling plate 40 contact (refer FIG. 5).

In detail, the air pressure adjusted by the air pressure adjusting device 150 will be pressed by the forming part 11 in the second direction D2, and then pushed against the forming surface 31 of the forming die 30, and the forming part 11 starts In thermoforming, at the same time, the forming mold 30 is pressed in the second direction D2 together with the formed part 11 by the air pressure, thereby elastically shrinking the spring member 70 (elastic member) in the second direction D2, and forming The mold 30 is moved from the distance position to the second direction D2, so as to be arranged at the contact position (see FIG. 5). Furthermore, at this time, the entire contracted spring member 70 is accommodated in the recess formed by the surface 40 b of the cooling plate 40.

Thereby, the molded part 11 after being pressed against the forming surface 31 of the forming mold 30 and thermoformed can be pressed against the forming mold 30 arranged at the contact position (that is, the forming part 11 in contact with the surface 40b of the cooling plate 40). In the state of the molding surface 31 of the mold 30), it is cooled by the cooling plate 40 via the forming mold 30 (the cooling plate 40 in which the cooling liquid CL flows through the runner 41).

Therefore, in the thermoforming apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the cooling plate 40 is not heated while the portion 11 to be formed after being pressed against the forming surface 31 and thermoformed is cooled by the cooling plate 40 through the forming die 30 The device 50 is heated. Therefore, the part 11 to be formed after thermoforming can be rapidly cooled by the cooling plate 40 via the forming mold 30. Specifically, the temperature of the formed portion 11 after thermoforming can be quickly reduced to the preset second target temperature T2 (specifically, the temperature at which the formed portion 11 is sufficiently hardened).

Therefore, according to the thermoforming apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the cooling time of the formed portion 11 of the sheet 10 after thermoforming can be shortened. In other words, according to the thermoforming apparatus 1 of the embodiment, the cooling rate of the formed portion 11 of the sheet 10 after thermoforming can be increased. Furthermore, while the portion 11 to be formed after being thermoformed by the cooling plate 40 through the forming die 30 and being pushed to the forming surface 31 is cooled, the cooling liquid CL flows in the flow passage 41 of the cooling plate 40.

Furthermore, in the thermoforming apparatus 1 of this embodiment, before the thermoforming of the part 11 to be formed is started, the forming die 30 is arranged at a position away from the cooling plate 40 in the first direction D1. Therefore, it is difficult to be cooled by the cooling plate. 40 to cool. Therefore, before the thermoforming of the formed part 11 is started, the temperature of the forming die 30 heated in advance by the heater 50 is not easily lowered. Therefore, the formed part 11 heated by the hot plate 20 is pushed to the forming After the molding surface 31 of the mold 30, it is easy to imitate the shape of the molding surface 31 of the molding mold 30 to shape the molded portion 11 (the shape of the molding surface 31 of the molding mold 30 can be accurately imitated, and the molded portion 11 of the sheet 10 Shaping).

In addition, in the thermoforming apparatus 1 of this embodiment, after the part 11 to be formed is cooled by the cooling plate 40 via the forming die 30, the forming die 30 is moved from the contact position by the spring member 70 (forming die moving mechanism). Move to the remote location. Specifically, after the part 11 to be formed is cooled by the cooling plate 40 via the forming die 30, the air pressure is released to release the pressing of the part 11 to the forming surface 31 by the air pressure in the second direction D2, thereby The spring member 70 is elastically extended (recovered) in the first direction D1 (upward), thereby moving the forming die 30 from the contact position to the away position (see FIG. 6). As a result, the thermoforming device 1 is restored to the state where the forming mold 30 is arranged at the remote position in the accommodating case 60 by the spring member 70 (forming mold moving mechanism).

Therefore, then, the sheet 10 having the portion to be formed 11 cooled by the cooling plate 40 is moved to the outside of the accommodating case 60 (see FIG. 6), and then the forming mold 30 is taken out through the first opening 61 To the outside of the housing shell 60 (see FIG. 7), subsequently, in order to thermoform the new formed part 11, the forming mold 30 heated by the heater 50 outside the housing shell 60 (see FIG. 1 ) When the accommodating case 60 is disposed in the accommodating case 60 through the first opening 61 from the outside of the accommodating case 60, the forming mold 30 can be arranged at the remote position in the accommodating case 60 (see FIG. 2).

Next, a method of forming a sheet 10 using the thermoforming device 1 of this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, an example of using a resin sheet made of polycarbonate (glass transition temperature Tg: 150°C, melting point Tm: 250°C), which is rectangular in plan view, as the sheet 10 will be described. .

First, in the forming mold heating process, the forming mold 30 is heated by the heater 50 outside the housing shell 60 (see FIG. 1). Specifically, by heating the forming mold 30 with the heater 50, the temperature of the forming mold 30 is increased to the first target temperature T1 (140° C. in this embodiment).

Next, enter the forming mold placement process, and the forming mold 30 heated by the heater 50 to reach the first target temperature T1 is placed from the outside of the housing housing 60 through the first opening 61 in the housing housing 60 (see figure 2). Specifically, the forming mold 30 is supported by the spring member 70 so that its back surface 30c is in contact with the upper end of the spring member 70 (the end in the first direction D1), whereby the forming mold 30 is arranged in the housing case 60 The remote position (a position away from the cooling plate 40 in the accommodating shell 60 along the first direction D1). Furthermore, the forming mold 30 is arranged at the remote position so that the surface 30b faces the first direction D1 (upward) and the back face 30c faces the second direction D2 (downward) (see FIG. 2).

Next, enter the sheet placement process. As shown in FIG. 3, the peripheral edge portion of the sheet 10 (the part located around the formed portion 11) is brought into contact with the upper end 62 of the housing case 60, and the sheet 10 is closed. The first opening 61 of the accommodating shell 60 is used to place the sheet 10 on the upper end 62 of the accommodating shell 60 in this form.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, a single-leaf type sheet (for example, a strip-shaped sheet is cut into a predetermined length and divided into a plurality of pieces, which is rectangular in a plan view) is used as the sheet 10. In addition, in this embodiment, for the sheet 10 having a glass transition temperature Tg of 150°C, the first target temperature T1 is set to 140°C. In this way, by setting the first target temperature T1 to a temperature close to the glass transition temperature Tg of the sheet 10 (specifically, to a temperature in the range of Tg-20°C≤T1≤Tg+20°C), When the formed portion 11 of the sheet 10 softened by the heating of the hot plate 20 is pushed against the forming surface 31 of the forming mold 30, it is easy to imitate the shape of the forming surface 31 of the forming mold 30 to form the sheet 10 The part 11 is shaped (the part 11 to be formed of the sheet 10 can be shaped by accurately imitating the shape of the forming surface 31 of the forming die 30).

Next, enter the sheet heating process. As shown in FIG. 4, the hot plate 20 located above (directly above) the housing shell 60 is moved downward (the second direction D2). The sheet 10 is clamped between the upper end 62 of the housing 60, and the first opening 61 of the housing 60 is blocked by the sheet 10 and the hot plate 20. Thus, as described above, the forming assembly 2 is formed in which the first opening 61 of the housing 60 in which the forming mold 30 and the cooling plate 40 are housed holds the sheet 10 therebetween. The space between it and the hot plate 20 is blocked by the hot plate 20.

Next, in this state, under the control of the air pressure control unit 130, the vacuum chamber 170 is connected to the vent hole (not shown) of the hot plate 20 of the forming element 2 via the vent pipe 152, and the vacuum pump 175 is driven. Thereby, it is possible to pass through the vent holes (not shown) of the hot plate 20 of the molding assembly 2 to the inner space of the molding element 2 (including the vent holes of the hot plate 20) above the sheet 10 (first direction D1) Decompression (vacuum) is performed in the upper space. As a result, in the internal space of the forming element 2, the air pressure (air pressure) in the upper space is lower than the air pressure (air pressure) in the lower space (the second direction D2) than the sheet 10, by The pressure difference between the upper and lower spaces (the difference in air pressure) between the upper and lower spaces by sandwiching the sheet 10 allows the sheet 10 (formed portion 11) to be in close contact with the heat located above (first direction D1) The heating surface 20c of the plate 20 (see FIG. 4).

In addition, under the control of the air pressure control unit 130, the pressurizing groove 160 is connected to the vent hole (not shown) of the housing case 60 of the forming element 2 via the vent pipe 154, and the pressurizing groove 160 is moved to the housing 60. The vent hole of the housing 60 supplies compressed air. As a result, in the internal space of the forming element 2, compressed air can be supplied and pressurized in the lower space located below the sheet 10. Thereby, in the internal space of the forming element 2, the air pressure (air pressure) in the lower space can be made higher than the air pressure (air pressure) in the upper space. As a result, the pressure difference (the amount of difference in air pressure) between the upper space and the lower space located above and below the sheet 10 while sandwiching the sheet 10 is further increased, so that the sheet 10 (to be formed part 11) can be firmly pushed against and densely packed. Join the heating surface 20c of the upper hot plate 20 (see FIG. 4).

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the temperature of the hot plate 20 is adjusted to 180°C. Furthermore, 180°C is a temperature higher than the glass transition temperature Tg (150°C) of the sheet 10 but lower than the melting point Tm (about 250°C). Therefore, by closely contacting the formed portion 11 of the sheet 10 to the heating surface 20c of the hot plate 20 as described above, the temperature of the formed portion 11 of the sheet 10 can be set to 180°C. The material 10 is softened by the formed part 11. Then, under the control of the air pressure control unit 130, the supply of compressed air from the pressurizing tank 160 to the vent hole of the accommodating case 60 is stopped, and the driving of the vacuum pump 175 is stopped (the pressure reduction state of the upper space is released).

Next, enter the thermoforming process and the cooling process, under the control of the air pressure control unit 130, connect the vacuum groove 170 to the vent hole (not shown) of the housing case 60 of the forming element 2 via the vent pipe 154, and make The vacuum pump 175 is driven. Thereby, in the internal space of the forming element 2, the lower space located below the sheet 10 can be decompressed (evacuated). As a result, the air pressure (air pressure) in the lower space is lower than the air pressure (air pressure) in the upper space, and the upper and lower spaces are positioned between the upper and lower spaces by sandwiching the sheet 10 The pressure difference (the amount of difference in air pressure) can press the formed part 11 heated in contact with the heating surface 20c of the hot plate 20 in the sheet 10 downward, so that the formed part 11 can be pushed by the heater 50. The forming surface 31 of the forming mold 30 after heating is subjected to thermoforming (see FIG. 5).

In addition, under the control of the air pressure control unit 130, the pressurizing groove 160 is connected to the vent hole (not shown) of the hot plate 20 of the forming element 2 via the vent pipe 152, and the pressurizing groove 160 is connected to the hot plate 20 The air vents supply compressed air. As a result, in the internal space of the forming element 2, compressed air can be supplied to the upper space above the sheet 10 to be pressurized. Thereby, the air pressure (air pressure) in the upper space can be made higher than the air pressure (air pressure) in the lower space. Thereby, the pressure difference (the amount of difference in air pressure) between the upper space and the lower space located above and below the sheet 10 is further increased, and the formed portion 11 of the sheet 10 can be moved downward. By pressing, the formed part 11 is pushed against the forming surface 31 of the forming die 30 more forcefully for thermoforming (see FIG. 5).

In addition, at this time, the forming mold 30 and the part 11 to be formed are pressed in the second direction D2 by the air pressure (the pressure difference between the upper space and the lower space) adjusted by the air pressure adjusting device 150, and the spring member 70 ( The elastic member) elastically contracts in the second direction D2. As a result, the forming mold 30 moves from the distance position to the second direction D2, and is arranged at the contact position (see FIG. 5). Furthermore, at this time, the entire contracted spring member 70 is housed in a recess (not shown) formed on the surface 40 b of the cooling plate 40.

That is, the air pressure adjusted by the air pressure adjusting device 150 will press the forming part 11 in the second direction D2, and then push it to the forming surface 31 of the forming die 30, and start the thermoforming of the formed part 11 At the same time, the forming die 30 is pressed in the second direction D2 together with the formed part 11 by the air pressure, thereby elastically shrinking the spring member 70 (elastic member) in the second direction D2, and the forming die 30 is moved from The away position moves in the second direction D2, so that it is arranged at the contact position (see FIG. 5).

Thereby, the molded part 11 after being pressed against the forming surface 31 of the forming mold 30 and thermoformed can be pressed against the forming mold 30 arranged at the contact position (that is, the forming part 11 in contact with the surface 40b of the cooling plate 40). In the state of the molding surface 31 of the mold 30 ), the cooling plate 40 (the cooling plate 40 in which the cooling liquid CL flows through the runner 41) is cooled via the molding mold 30. Thereby, the formed portion 11 of the sheet 10 can be cooled via the forming die 30 in contact with the cooling plate 40, and the formed portion 11 of the sheet 10 can be hardened. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, during the period in which the formed part 11 is pushed to the forming surface 31 for thermoforming, the temperature of the formed part 11 begins to decrease by being cooled by the cooling plate 40 through the forming die 30.

In this way, in the present embodiment, while the part 11 to be formed after being pressed against the forming surface 31 and thermoformed is cooled by the cooling plate 40 through the forming die 30, the cooling plate 40 is not heated by the heater 50 . Therefore, the part 11 to be formed after thermoforming can be rapidly cooled by the cooling plate 40 via the forming mold 30. Therefore, it is possible to shorten the cooling time of the sheet 10 that has been thermoformed in the part 11 to be formed. That is, it is possible to cool the hot-formed part 11 in a short time. Specifically, the temperature of the formed portion 11 after thermoforming can be quickly (in a short time) lowered to the preset second target temperature T2 (specifically, the temperature at which the formed portion 11 is sufficiently hardened).

Next, enter the forming mold moving process. First, under the control of the air pressure control unit 130, the supply of compressed air from the pressurizing groove 160 to the vent hole (not shown) of the hot plate 20 of the forming assembly 2 is stopped, thereby stopping the forming process. The space above the element 2 is pressurized, and then the space above the forming element 2 is returned to atmospheric pressure. Next, the hot plate 20 is moved upward (the first direction D1), so that the hot plate 20 is moved away from the upper end 62 of the accommodating shell 60. Next, the driving of the vacuum pump 175 is stopped to stop the pressure reduction (evacuation) of the space below the forming element 2, and then the space below the forming element 2 is returned to the atmospheric pressure. As a result, the air pressure is released, and the pressing of the molded part 11 to the molding surface 31 in the second direction D2 by the air pressure is released. Therefore, the elastically contracted spring member 70 is elastically extended in the first direction D1 (upward). (Recover), the forming mold 30 moves from the contact position to the away position (see FIG. 6). At this time, the spring member 70 (molding die moving mechanism) returns to the state where the molding die 30 is arranged in the accommodating case 60 at the remote position.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, from the start of the thermoforming process (cooling process) (that is, the vacuum pump 175 is driven to start depressurizing the space below the forming element 2), to the start of the forming mold moving process (that is, The time between stopping the supply of compressed air from the pressurizing tank 160 to stop pressurizing the upper space of the forming element 2) is set to the temperature of the forming die 30 that reaches the first target temperature T1 (140°C in this embodiment) The time required to decrease to the preset second target temperature T2 (80°C in this embodiment). Thereby, in the cooling process, the temperature of the part 11 to be formed after thermoforming can be appropriately lowered to the second target temperature T2.

Furthermore, the second target temperature T2 is preferably set to a temperature at which the portion 11 to be formed of the sheet 10 is sufficiently hardened. In the present embodiment, for the sheet 10 having a glass transition temperature Tg of 150°C, the second target temperature T2 is set to 80°C. Therefore, in the cooling process, the formed portion 11 after thermoforming can be fully formed. hardening.

Next, the taking-out process is entered, and the sheet 10 including the portion to be formed 11 cooled by the cooling plate 40 is taken out from the accommodating case 60 (see FIG. 6 ). As a result, the molded part 11 cooled by the cooling plate 40 is moved to the outside of the accommodating case 60. Next, as shown in FIG. 7, in order to heat the forming mold 30 by the heater 50 disposed outside the accommodating case 60, the forming mold 30 is taken out to the outside of the accommodating case 60 through the first opening 61. As shown in FIG. 1, the molded mold 30 after being taken out is placed on a heater 50 arranged outside the housing case 60. As a result, the aforementioned forming mold heating process is restarted.

Specifically, in order to form a new sheet 10 (new part 11) by the thermoforming device 1, in the forming mold heating process, the temperature of the forming mold 30 is increased by heating the forming mold 30 with the heater 50 As high as the first target temperature T1 (140°C in this embodiment) (see Figure 1). Next, enter the aforementioned forming mold arrangement process, and arrange the forming mold 30 that has reached the first target temperature T1 in the housing shell 60 from the outside of the housing shell 60 through the first opening 61. At this time, the forming mold 30 is supported by the spring member 70 such that its back surface 30c is in contact with the upper end of the spring member 70 (the end in the first direction D1). Therefore, the forming mold 30 is arranged in the housing case 60. The remote position (see Figure 2).

Then, the aforementioned series of processes are sequentially performed to form a new sheet 10 (new part 11) by the thermoforming device 1. In this way, in this embodiment, by repeating the forming mold heating process, forming mold placement process, sheet placement process, sheet heating process, thermoforming process, cooling process, forming mold moving process, and removal A series of sheet forming cycles constituted by a process can sequentially form a plurality of sheets 10 (a plurality of to-be-formed parts 11) by the thermoforming device 1.

In addition, in the forming mold heating process of this embodiment, the cooling plate 40 is placed in a state of being housed in the accommodating shell 60. In the outside of the accommodating shell 60, the forming mold 30 is heated by the heater 50. . Therefore, compared with the case where the heater 50 arranged in the accommodating case 60 in contact with the lower surface of the cooling plate 40 heats the forming mold 30 via the cooling plate 40, the forming mold 30 can be heated efficiently. Specifically, the temperature of the forming die 30 can be quickly increased to the preset first target temperature T1.

In addition, in the cooling process of this embodiment, since the heater 50 is arranged outside the accommodating shell 60, the formed portion 11 after being pressed against the forming surface 31 and thermoformed is placed in the accommodating shell 60. During the cooling of the inner portion by the cooling plate 40 via the forming die 30, the cooling plate 40 is not heated by the heater 50. Therefore, it is possible to quickly (in a short time) cool the hot-formed part 11 by the cooling plate 40 via the forming mold 30. Specifically, the temperature of the formed portion 11 after thermoforming can be quickly (in a short time) lowered to the preset second target temperature T2.

Therefore, according to the thermoforming apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the cycle time of forming can be shortened. Furthermore, the cycle time of forming (the time of one cycle) refers to the time when the forming of the currently forming sheet 10 (the currently forming part 11) is completed and the sheet 10 is taken out from the thermoforming device 1. (That is, when the take-out process is completed), until the completion of the forming of the new sheet 10 (new to-be-formed portion 11) and the new sheet 10 is taken out of the thermoforming device 1 (that is, until the completion of the new sheet 10) time when the project was taken out.

<Evaluation of molding cycle time> Next, the cycle time of molding performed by the thermoforming apparatus 1 of the embodiment and the cycle time of molding performed by the thermoforming apparatus of the comparative scheme were compared and evaluated. Specifically, for each thermoforming device, the cycle time of molding and the time required for each process are measured. Moreover, the thermoforming device of the comparative solution does not have the spring member 70, and the forming mold 30, the cooling plate 40, and the heater 50 are all fixed in the containing housing 60. Specifically, the heater 50 is arranged so as to be in contact with the back surface (lower surface) of the cooling plate 40, and the forming die 30 is arranged so as to be in contact with the surface 40 b of the cooling plate 40.

In the thermoforming apparatus 1 of the embodiment type, compared with the thermoforming apparatus of the comparative embodiment, the forming cycle time can be greatly shortened. Specifically, in the thermoforming apparatus of the comparative embodiment, in the cooling process, in order to reduce the temperature of the forming die 30 as the first target temperature T1 (140°C) to the second target temperature T2 (80°C), about 4% are required. minute. In the hot forming apparatus 1 of the implementation type, in the cooling process, the temperature of the forming die 30, which is the first target temperature T1 (140°C), can be reduced to the second target temperature T2 (80°C) in about 40 seconds. . Therefore, in the thermoforming apparatus 1 of the embodiment, the cooling time of the formed portion 11 can be shortened by about 3 minutes and 50 seconds compared with the thermoforming apparatus of the comparative embodiment. The reason is as follows.

In the thermoforming apparatus of the comparative embodiment, the heater 50 is brought into contact with the cooling plate 40 during the cooling process of the cooling plate 40 through the forming mold 30 during the cooling of the part 11 to be formed. Therefore, the cooling plate 40 not only absorbs the forming mold 30 And the heat of the sheet 10 also absorbs the heat of the heater 50 that has reached a high temperature. Therefore, in the thermoforming apparatus of the comparative scheme, the cooling efficiency is poor, and it takes a long time to cool the sheet 10.

In the thermoforming apparatus 1 of the embodiment, since the heater 50 is arranged outside the accommodating housing 60, the cooling plate 40 in the accommodating housing 60 cools one of the molded parts 11 through the forming mold 30. During this period, the cooling plate 40 is not heated by the heater 50. Therefore, in the thermoforming apparatus 1 of the embodiment, the part 11 to be formed can be cooled in a short time.

In addition, in the thermoforming apparatus of the comparative embodiment, in the forming die heating process, it takes about 10 minutes to increase the temperature of the forming die 30 to the first target temperature T1 (140° C.). In the thermoforming device 1 of the implementation type, in the forming mold heating process, it takes about 5 minutes to raise the temperature of the forming mold 30 to the first target temperature T1 (140° C.). Therefore, in the thermoforming apparatus 1 of the embodiment type, the heating process time can be shortened by about 5 minutes compared with the thermoforming apparatus of the comparative embodiment. The reason is as follows.

In the thermoforming apparatus of the comparative embodiment, the heater 50 is brought into contact with the cooling plate 40 during the cooling process of the cooling plate 40 through the forming die 30 during the cooling of the part 11 to be formed, so that the heater 50 is also cooled. Therefore, in the forming mold heating process, when the heater 50 starts to heat the forming mold 30, the temperature of the heater 50 itself has been lowered (lower than the first target temperature T1). Therefore, the temperature of the forming mold 30 is increased to It takes a long time for the first target temperature T1. Furthermore, in the thermoforming apparatus of the comparative embodiment, since the forming mold 30 is heated via the cooling plate 40, it takes a long time to raise the temperature of the forming mold 30 to the first target temperature T1.

In the thermoforming device 1 of the implementation type, in the forming mold heating process, the cooling plate 40 is kept in the state of being housed in the accommodating shell 60, and the outside of the accommodating shell 60 is heated by the heater 50 to form Mold 30. Therefore, the forming mold 30 can be heated by the heater 50 without being affected by the cooling plate 40, and therefore, the forming mold 30 can be quickly heated (to reach the first target temperature T1 quickly).

As mentioned above, the present invention has been described based on the embodiment, but it is obvious that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment, and can be applied with appropriate changes without departing from the gist of the invention.

For example, in the embodiment, the thermoforming device 1 with the first direction D1 as the upper direction and the second direction D2 as the lower direction is shown. However, contrary to the embodiment, it is also possible to make a thermoforming device with the first direction D1 as the downward direction and the second direction D2 as the upward direction.

In addition, in the embodiment, it is shown that a single leaf type sheet (for example, a strip-shaped sheet is cut into a predetermined length and divided into a plurality of pieces is a rectangular sheet in a plan view) as the sheet. An example of forming a sheet 10 piece by piece. However, it is also possible to use a strip-shaped sheet (sheet roll) in which a plurality of formed parts are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the sheet, and the strip-shaped sheet is conveyed in the longitudinal direction and sent to the thermoforming device 1 (forming die). 30) Sequentially supplying a plurality of formed parts contained in the sheet, thereby forming the formed parts in sequence.

In addition, in the thermoforming apparatus 1 of the embodiment, the spring member 70 is used as the forming mold moving mechanism. However, an elastic member different from the spring member 70 (for example, an elastic rubber member having heat resistance) may also be used as the forming mold moving mechanism.

Optionally, an air cylinder such as an air cylinder can be used as the forming die moving mechanism. In this case, for example, in order to thermoform the formed portion 11 of the sheet 10 by the forming mold 30, the air cylinder may be moved in the second direction immediately before the formed portion 11 is pressed in the second direction D2 by air pressure. D2 shrinks, thereby moving the forming die 30 arranged at the remote position from the remote position in the second direction D2, and arranges it at the contact position. In addition, after the portion 11 to be formed is cooled by the cooling plate 40 via the forming mold 30, the cylinder is extended in the first direction D1, whereby the forming mold 30 can be moved from the contact position to the remote position.

In addition, in the embodiment, one forming die 30 is repeatedly used. However, it is also possible to repeatedly use a plurality of forming dies 30 sequentially. In this case, a plurality of heaters 50 for heating the forming mold 30 are also prepared (for example, the same number as the forming mold 30), and the forming mold 30 selected from the plurality of forming molds 30 (as the first forming mold 30A ) During the period when it is arranged in the accommodating shell 60 for forming, other forming molds 30 can be heated by the heater 50 arranged outside the accommodating shell 60. And after taking out the first forming mold 30A to the outside of the accommodating shell 60, another forming mold 30 (for example, the second forming mold 30B) heated to the first target temperature T1 by the heater 50 may be configured At the remote position in the accommodating shell 60, a new part to be formed 11 is formed. In this way, the molding cycle time can be further shortened.

In addition, in the embodiment, the vacuum pump 175 is driven under the control of the air pressure control unit 130, thereby reducing the pressure (evacuating) of the internal space of the forming element 2 and stopping the driving of the vacuum pump 175 To stop the decompression (evacuation) of the internal space of the forming element 2. However, it is also possible to set the vacuum pump 175 to always be driven in advance, and to switch the valves connected to the vent pipes 152 and 154 under the control of the air pressure control unit 130 to start or stop the internal space of the forming element 2 Decompression (vacuum). Specifically, the vacuum pump 175 may be set to always be driven in advance, and the valve may be switched under the control of the air pressure control unit 130, thereby connecting the vacuum tank 170 to the forming element 2 via the vent pipe 152 The vent hole of the hot plate 20 is connected to the vent hole of the housing shell 60 of the forming element 2 via the vent pipe 154, and the space above or below the forming element 2 is decompressed (evacuated). In addition, it is also possible to switch the valve under the control of the air pressure control unit 130 while keeping the vacuum pump 175 driven, thereby making the vacuum tank 170 and the vent hole and the volume of the hot plate 20 of the forming assembly 2 The vent hole of the housing 60 is disconnected, thereby stopping the pressure reduction (evacuation) of the space above or below the forming element 2.

1: Thermoforming device 10: sheet 11: Formed part 20: Hot plate 20c: heating surface 30: Forming mold 30b: surface 30c: back 31: forming surface 40: cooling plate 40b: surface 41: Runner 45: Pillar 50: heater 60: housing shell 61: First opening 62: upper end 70: Spring parts (elastic parts, forming mold moving mechanism) 80: Liquid circulation pipe 81: Valve 100: control device 130: Air pressure control unit 150: Air pressure regulator 152: Snorkel 154: Snorkel 160: pressure tank 165: Compressor 170: vacuum tank 175: Vacuum pump CL: Coolant D1: First direction D2: second direction

Figure 1 is an explanatory diagram of a thermoforming device in an implementation type; Figure 2 is another explanatory view of the thermoforming device; Figure 3 is another explanatory view of the thermoforming device; Figure 4 is another explanatory view of the thermoforming device; Figure 5 is another explanatory view of the thermoforming device; Figure 6 is another explanatory view of the thermoforming device; Fig. 7 is another explanatory view of the thermoforming apparatus.

1: Thermoforming device

10: sheet

11: Formed part

20: Hot plate

20c: heating surface

30: Forming mold

30b: surface

30c: back

31: forming surface

40: cooling plate

40b: surface

41: Runner

45: Pillar

50: heater

60: housing shell

61: First opening

62: upper end

70: Spring parts (elastic parts, forming mold moving mechanism)

80: Liquid circulation pipe

81: Valve

100: control device

130: Air pressure control unit

150: Air pressure regulator

152: Snorkel

154: Snorkel

160: pressure tank

165: Compressor

170: vacuum tank

175: Vacuum pump

CL: Coolant

D1: First direction

D2: second direction

Claims (4)

A thermoforming device includes: Hot plate, heating the formed part of the thermoplastic sheet; The accommodating shell has a first opening that opens in a first direction; The cooling plate is accommodated in the accommodating shell; A forming die for forming the formed portion of the sheet material, having a forming surface on the surface of the forming die, the forming die so that the surface faces the first direction, and the back surface of the forming die Facing a second direction opposite to the first direction, in the accommodating case, the cooling plate is arranged on the side of the first opening; and A heater to heat the forming mold, The sheet is clamped between the hot plate and the accommodating housing that are located in the first direction with respect to the accommodating housing, and the accommodating housing is blocked by the hot plate at the same time The first opening portion of the body, in the state, the formed portion is brought into contact with the heating surface of the hot plate facing the second direction to be heated, and the heated portion is heated by air pressure. The formed portion is pressed in the second direction, and then pushed against the forming surface of the forming mold heated by the heater to perform thermoforming, wherein: The heater is arranged outside the accommodating shell, The forming mold is arranged in the accommodating shell, detachable via the first opening, and configured to be heated by the heater outside the accommodating shell, When the forming mold heated by the heater is disposed in the accommodating shell through the first opening from the outside of the accommodating shell, the thermoforming device causes the forming The mold is arranged in the accommodating shell at a distance away from the cooling plate along the first direction, The thermoforming device includes: The forming mold moving mechanism presses the formed part in the second direction by the air pressure, and then pushes it against the forming surface of the forming mold to perform thermoforming, causing the The forming mold is moved from the remote position to the second direction so as to be arranged at a contact position in contact with the cooling plate, The part to be formed after being pressed to the forming surface and thermoformed is pressed against the forming surface of the forming die arranged at the contact position, and is passed by the cooling plate through the The forming mold is cooled. The thermoforming device according to claim 1, wherein: After the molded part cooled by the cooling plate through the forming mold is moved to the outside of the accommodating case, in order to be heated by the heater arranged outside the accommodating case The forming mold, taking out the forming mold to the outside of the accommodating shell through the first opening, Then, in order to thermoform the new part to be formed, the forming mold heated to the first target temperature by the heater is placed in the accommodating shell through the first opening. Away from the location, Then, the sheet material including the new formed portion is clamped between the hot plate and the accommodating shell located in the first direction with respect to the accommodating shell, and at the same time by The hot plate blocks the first opening of the accommodating shell, and in the state, the formed part is brought into contact with the heating surface of the hot plate for heating, by the The air pressure presses the heated portion to be formed in the second direction, and then pushes it against the forming surface of the forming mold to perform thermoforming. The thermoforming device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: As the forming mold moving mechanism, an elastic member that elastically contracts in the second direction is provided on a surface side of the cooling plate facing the first direction, After the forming mold heated by the heater is disposed at the remote position in the accommodating shell through the first opening, the air pressure will contact the hot plate. The heated surface contacts and presses the heated portion to be formed in the second direction, pushes it against the forming surface of the forming mold, and starts thermoforming of the formed portion, and At the same time, the forming mold is pressed in the second direction together with the formed part by the air pressure, thereby causing the elastic member to elastically contract in the second direction, and the contracted part The entire elastic member is accommodated in a recess formed on the surface of the cooling plate, and the forming die is moved from the away position to the second direction, thereby disposing it at the contact position . The thermoforming device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: After the part to be formed is cooled by the cooling plate via the forming die, the forming die is moved from the contact position to the remote position by the forming die moving mechanism.

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