TWI600531B - Manufacturing apparatus of prepreg sheet - Google Patents

Description

Prepreg manufacturing device

The present invention relates to a prepreg manufacturing apparatus.

The present application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2014-76057, filed on Jan.

Conventionally, CFRP and GFRP which are used as reinforcing fibers by using carbon fibers or glass fibers are lightweight and have high durability, and thus are used as various members constituting automobiles, airplanes, and the like. As for the method of forming such a CFRP and GFRP, first, a method is known in which a prepreg having a thickness of several tens to several hundreds of μm composed of a reinforcing fiber and a resin is laminated to form a plurality of sheets. To fabricate a prepreg laminate, a plurality of prepreg laminates each having a different shape are stacked to form a desired three-dimensional shape.

The prepreg laminate system is manufactured by laminating a plurality of prepreg sheets. The prepreg is in the fiber direction (longitudinal direction of the fiber), that is, the tensile strength and toughness are very high in the orientation direction, but the tensile strength and toughness are low in the direction orthogonal to the fiber direction (orientation direction). Therefore, the mechanical properties are anisotropic. Therefore, in the prepreg laminate, the anisotropic properties of the prepreg are alleviated, and the prepreg is laminated with different fiber directions.

In order to laminate the prepreg sheets having different fiber directions, the fiber direction can be gathered in the longitudinal direction of the prepreg raw material, that is, the raw material from the fiber angle of 0°, and the fiber direction can be preliminarily prepared. a prepreg which cuts a prepreg material having a fiber angle of 0° into a rectangular shape in the width direction thereof, and cuts a prepreg material of any fiber direction into a width direction thereof. The rectangular prepreg is laminated.

In this case, a method of manufacturing a prepreg material having an arbitrary fiber direction is known, for example, as a method of manufacturing a device of Patent Document 1. The prepreg manufacturing apparatus described in Patent Document 1 is composed of the following members: an unreel device for mounting a prepreg material; and a first feeding device for pre-installing from a rewinding device. The dip material is respectively pulled out of the prepreg by a predetermined length; the cutting device is cut by the prepreg pulled out by the first feeding device at a predetermined angle to the fiber direction; the coiling device is borrowed The prepreg cut by the cutting device is wound in such a manner that the fiber direction is a predetermined direction different from the fiber direction of the prepreg pulled by the first feeding device; the rearrangement device Arranging sequentially along the ends of the fiber direction of the prepreg wound by the coiling device; the attaching device attaches the tape to the docking of the prepreg which is connected to each other by the rearrangement device a second feeding device that feeds the prepregs that are bonded to each other by the attaching device, respectively, and a winding device that feeds the prepreg from the second feeding device Winding.

[Previous Technical Literature] [Patent Literature]

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent No. 2876244

In the prepreg manufacturing apparatus described in Patent Document 1, the end portions of the prepreg are sequentially arranged to face each other, and the adhesive tape is attached to the butted portion of the butted prepreg. However, when only the end portions of the prepreg are sequentially faced, one of the prepreg sheets may climb over the other prepreg and overlap.

However, the formation of a gap in the abutting portion of the prepreg is somewhat tolerated. However, if the overlapping portion is formed in the abutting portion of the prepreg, the unevenness of the strength becomes large and the unevenness of the thickness also becomes large. Therefore, there is still a problem in the production of the prepreg stock in which such an overlapping portion is formed, to the prepreg laminate.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the invention is to provide a prepreg manufacturing apparatus which is capable of joining a plurality of prepreg cut pieces which are cut in a front-rear direction without forming an overlapping portion. Manufacturing prepreg panels.

A prepreg manufacturing apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention is an apparatus for manufacturing a prepreg, wherein the plurality of prepreg cut pieces are cut and joined in a front-rear direction on a prepreg material. Laminated on the prepreg raw material, which has a main conveying path for prepreg raw materials and prepreg cut pieces placed on the prepreg raw materials; the gap detecting portion is detected Prepreg cuts that run on prepreg stock and subsequent prepregs a gap between the cut pieces; and a welded portion which is welded between the leading edge of the pre-preg which is advanced and the leading edge of the subsequent prepreg cut by the prepreg material. Further, the gap detecting portion has a downstream side pressing portion that presses the end portion of the trailing edge of the prepreg cut piece that is advanced first, and the upstream side pressing portion that is removed from the subsequent prepreg The front end portion of the slice is pressed at the front end; and the gap detecting sensor detects the edge of the prepreg cut by the downstream side pressing portion and the prepreg cut by the upstream side pressing portion a gap between the front end edges; and the upstream side pressing portion restricts the floating of the front end portion while guiding the front end portion of the subsequent prepreg cut to the lower side of the upstream side pressing portion at a predetermined height The way it is composed.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the prepreg manufacturing apparatus of the first aspect, the upstream pressing portion is provided on the upstream side of the main conveying path, and a tapered guiding portion is provided, which is followed by The front end portion of the prepreg cut piece is guided to the lower side of the upstream side pressing portion.

Further, a third aspect of the present invention provides a prepreg manufacturing apparatus according to a first or second aspect, comprising: a transfer handle for holding and moving a prepreg, and performing positional alignment thereof; quasi.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the prepreg manufacturing apparatus of the first to third aspects, the gap detecting sensor has the function of detecting the prepreg cut by the downstream side pressing portion. The end edge, a sensor between the end edge of the gap between the tip end edge of the prepreg cut piece pressed by the upstream side pressing portion, and a sensor between the edge of the other side.

Further, the fifth aspect of the present invention is in the first to fourth aspects. In the prepreg manufacturing apparatus of the aspect, the welded portion has a heating portion that advances along the longitudinal direction of the trailing edge of the prepreg cut slice and the front edge of the subsequent prepreg cut slice The gap is moved over the gap, and the gap detecting sensor is disposed to be movable between the aforementioned gap and the outer side of the gap.

According to the prepreg manufacturing apparatus of the present invention, the gap detecting portion has an upstream side pressing portion that presses the end portion of the front end edge of the subsequent prepreg cut piece, and the upstream side pressing portion is positioned at a previously set height. The front end portion of the prepreg cut piece is guided to the lower side of the upstream side pressing portion. Therefore, the leading edge of the subsequent prepreg cut is not caused to climb against the trailing edge of the pre-dip cut piece which is advanced, and the gap can be detected by the gap detecting portion in this state. Therefore, when the prepreg is cut in the front-rear direction, the prepreg can be manufactured by welding and joining the welded portion without forming the overlapping portion.

1‧‧‧Prepreg board manufacturing equipment

2, 6a, 15a‧‧‧ rewinding device

3‧‧‧Main transport path

4, 6b, 15b‧‧‧ conveyor

4a, 6c, 15c‧‧‧ wheels

4b, 6d, 15d‧‧‧ drive source

5‧‧‧1st prepreg cutting section forming department

6, 12, 15‧‧‧ delivery device (delivery department)

7, 16‧‧‧ delivery routes

8, 17‧‧‧ cut-off device

8a‧‧‧Cutting machine

8b‧‧‧Keep a stick

9, 18‧‧‧Transfer handle

10, 19‧‧‧ gap detection department

11, 20‧‧‧ welding machine (welding part)

11a‧‧‧Heating Department

11c‧‧‧Mobile agencies

13, 21‧‧‧ welding machine

14‧‧‧2nd prepreg cutting section forming department

20‧‧‧ fusion splicer (welding part)

22‧‧‧cutting department

30‧‧‧ Sensor

31‧‧‧Gap detection sensor

32‧‧‧ downstream side press

33‧‧‧Upstream side press

33a‧‧‧Guidance

34‧‧‧Sliding mechanism

F‧‧‧Strengthened fiber

P1, P3‧‧‧ prepreg raw materials

P2‧‧‧1st prepreg cut slice

P4‧‧‧2nd prepreg cut slice

P5‧‧‧Prepreg laminate

P6‧‧‧Prepreg laminate

S‧‧‧ gap

Fig. 1 is a plan view schematically showing an embodiment of a prepreg manufacturing apparatus of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a side view schematically showing an embodiment of the prepreg manufacturing apparatus of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a schematic view for explaining a prepreg laminate formed by a prepreg manufacturing apparatus.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a cutting device.

Fig. 5 is a schematic view for explaining the arrangement of the first prepreg cut.

Fig. 6A is a schematic view for explaining the gap detecting portion.

Figure 6B is a schematic diagram for explaining the position of the sensor.

Fig. 6C is a schematic view for explaining the gap detecting portion.

Fig. 7A is a schematic view for explaining the action of the gap detection of the sensor.

Fig. 7B is a schematic view for explaining the action of the gap detection of the sensor.

Fig. 7C is a schematic view for explaining the action of welding of the fusion splicer.

Fig. 7D is a schematic view for explaining the action of welding of the fusion splicer.

Hereinafter, the prepreg manufacturing apparatus of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, in the following illustration, since each member is made recognizable, the scale of each member is changed suitably.

Fig. 1 is a plan view schematically showing an embodiment of a prepreg manufacturing apparatus of the present invention, and Fig. 2 is a side view schematically showing an embodiment of a prepreg manufacturing apparatus of the present invention. In the above figure, reference numeral 1 is a prepreg manufacturing apparatus.

The prepreg manufacturing apparatus 1 includes a rewinding device 2 that rewinds a roll-shaped prepreg raw material P1, and a main conveyance path 3 that rewinds the prepreg from the rewinding device 2 The raw material P1 travels; and the transport device 4 introduces and transports the prepreg laminate P5 that has traveled on the main transport path 3 to the downstream side, and is provided with: a first prepreg cut section forming portion 5, the second prepreg cut section forming portion 14; detection configuration The gap detecting portion 10 and the gap detecting portion 19 of the gap between the front and the back prepreg cut pieces; and the welded portion 11 and the welded portion 20 which are disposed to be welded between the front and rear prepreg cut pieces.

In the prepreg raw material P1, the thermoplastic resin and the thermosetting resin are immersed in reinforcing fibers (fibers) such as carbon fibers and glass fibers to have a thickness of about 50 to 300 μm, and the direction of the reinforcing fibers (fibers) is oriented to Gather in a certain direction.

Fig. 3 is a schematic view for explaining a prepreg laminate P5 formed by the prepreg manufacturing apparatus 1. As shown in Fig. 3, in the present embodiment, the direction (length direction) of the prepreg material P1 in the reinforcing fiber F is substantially the same as the direction of the reference, that is, the longitudinal direction of the prepreg P1. Oriented to form. Therefore, the prepreg raw material P1 is a prepreg material in which the orientation of the reinforcing fiber F is 0°.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the rewinding device 2 has a roller, and is fed back to the main conveyance path 3 by rewinding the prepreg raw material P1 wound in a roll shape into its longitudinal direction. The way it is composed. At this time, the prepreg raw material P1 is drawn to the main conveyance path 3 by being stretched by a conveyor 4 to be described later.

As shown in Fig. 1, the main conveyance path 3 is a linear (straight plate-shaped) member having a width wider than the width of the prepreg raw material P1, and the prepreg raw material P1 is advanced thereon. Formed. The upper surface of the main conveyance path 3 is formed into a smooth surface having a small frictional resistance so that the prepreg raw material P1 smoothly travels.

On the downstream side of the main transport path 3, as shown in Fig. 1, As shown in Fig. 2, a conveyor 4 is provided which has a pair of upper and lower rollers 4a, a roller 4a, and a roller 4a connected to one of the pair of rollers 4a and 4a to rotate the roller 4a. A drive source 4b of a motor or the like. As described above, the conveyor 4 is sandwiched between the pair of rollers 4a and the rollers 4a by the prepreg laminate P5 that travels on the main conveyance path 3, and the rotation of the roller 4a is generated by the drive source 4b. The prepreg laminate P5 is drawn in and conveyed to the downstream side. In this way, as described above, the rewinding device 2 does not feed the prepreg raw material P1 by its own drive, but retracts to the main conveying path by the prepreg laminate P5 pulled by the driving of the conveying device 4. 3 ways to form.

Here, the prepreg laminate P5 pulled into the conveyor 4, as shown in Fig. 3 in the present embodiment, is formed by cutting the first prepreg P2 on the prepreg P1. The immersion material P3 and the second prepreg cut piece P4 are sequentially laminated. In addition, in the third drawing, the raw material or the sheet flows from the left side to the right side in the drawing on the main conveyance path 3, and the state in which the original material or the sheet is sequentially laminated from the left side to the right side is shown.

As shown in FIG. 1, the first prepreg cut section forming portion 5 is disposed on the upstream side of the main transport path 3. The first prepreg cutting section forming portion 5 is configured to include a feeding device 6 that feeds the sheet-shaped prepreg raw material P1, and advances the prepreg raw material P1 sent from the feeding device 6 The transport path 7 and the cutting device 8 cut the prepreg material P1 that has traveled on the secondary transport path 7 at a predetermined angle in the width direction. The prepreg raw material P1 sent from the delivery device 6 and the prepreg original which is rewinded onto the main transport path 3 by the rewinding device 2 The same material as the material P1. That is, the prepreg material in which the reinforcing fiber F is oriented at 0°.

The delivery device 6 is constituted by a rewinding device 6a which rewinds the roll-shaped prepreg raw material P1 and a transfer device 6b which is rewinded by the rewinding device 6a. The prepreg raw material P1 is conveyed to the secondary conveyance path 7. The rewinding device 6a is formed in the same manner as the rewinding device 2, and is configured such that the prepreg raw material P1 wound in a roll shape is wound in the longitudinal direction and sent to the secondary transfer path 7.

The transport device 6b is formed in the same manner as the transport device 4, and includes a pair of upper and lower rollers 6c, a roller 6c, and a drive source 6d such as a motor. The drive source 6d of the motor or the like is connected to the pair of rollers 6c. The roller 6c is rotated by one of the rollers 6c. The conveying device 6b is held between the roller 6c and the roller 6c by the prepreg raw material P1 which is rewinded from the rewinding device 6a, and is pulled in by the rotation of the roller 6c generated by the driving source 6d. The immersion raw material P1 is configured to be conveyed to the downstream side of the secondary transfer path 7.

The secondary transfer path 7 is disposed in the lateral direction of one of the main transport paths 3, and is disposed to extend orthogonally to the main transport path 3. Similarly to the main conveyance path 3, the conveyance path 7 is a linear (straight plate-shaped) member having a width wider than the width of the prepreg P1 so that the prepreg P1 is placed thereon. Formed by the way of going on. The upper surface of the conveyance path 7 is also formed into a smooth surface having a small frictional resistance so that the prepreg raw material P1 can smoothly travel.

The cutting device 8 is a prepreg raw material P1 that travels on the secondary conveyance path 7 and is cut (cut) in the width direction at a predetermined angle. The schematic configuration of the cutting device 8 of the present embodiment is shown in Fig. 4. The cutting device 8 is configured to include a cutter 8a, a holding rod 8b that can hold the cutter 8a in movement, and one of the opposite end portions of the support holding rod 8b, the support portion 8c, and the support portion 8c. The cutter 8a is configured to be moved back and forth in the longitudinal direction of the holding rod 8b by a driving means such as a motor, and the like, in particular, by moving the approaching path to cut the prepreg raw material P1, and borrowing Moves to the return path to return to the initial position and stands by for a new cut.

The holding rod 8b is formed into an elongated angular column-shaped member having a length sufficiently longer than the width of the prepreg raw material P1, and is disposed in the prepreg raw material in a width direction passing through the prepreg raw material P1. Above the P1. Thereby, the holding rod 8b guides the cutter 8a toward its longitudinal direction.

The pair of support portions 8c and the support portion 8c support the holding rod 8b so that the both ends of the holding rod 8b move so that the angle of the prepreg material P1 is set at an angle set in advance. In the present embodiment, the holding rod 8b supports the fiber direction (orientation direction) of the prepreg raw material P1, that is, the length direction of the prepreg raw material P1, which intersects 45° (-45°). Hold the rod 8b. Therefore, the cutter 8a is moved along the longitudinal direction of the holding rod 8b, and the prepreg raw material P1 is cut in the width direction at an angle of 45°.

Here, the "-" of the symbol -45° is as shown in Fig. 3, indicating that the longitudinal direction (orientation direction) of the reinforcing fiber F is clockwise. Direction offset. Therefore, when offset in the counterclockwise direction, it is indicated by the symbol "+".

Further, as shown in Fig. 4, the pair of support portions 8c and the support portion 8c are configured to change the angle of the holding rod 8b of the prepreg raw material P1 to an arbitrary angle. That is, the holding rod 8b is configured to directly support the support rod 8d of the holding rod 8b, and the both end portions are respectively moved in the opposite direction to the longitudinal direction of the support rod 8d. As a result, the angle of the longitudinal direction of the prepreg raw material P1 (the longitudinal direction of the reinforcing fibers F) is variable. Therefore, in the cutting device 8, for example, instead of the cutting angle of the prepreg P1 being "+45°", for example, "+30°" or "+60°" may be performed. Cut off. Furthermore, it can also be cut off at "-45°".

Further, the cutting device 8 is controlled such that the driving of the cutting machine 8a and the operation of the conveying device 6b of the feeding device 6 are interlocked by a control device (not shown). In other words, while the conveying operation of the prepreg raw material P1 generated by the conveying device 6b is temporarily stopped, the cutting machine 8a is driven to cut the prepreg raw material P1 at a predetermined angle to form a third drawing. The first prepreg of the parallelogram shown is a cut piece P2. Here, in the secondary conveyance path 7 shown in FIG. 4, the position of the first prepreg cut piece P2 formed by cutting is maintained on the downstream side of the holding bar 8b, thereby preventing The positional deviation caused by the floating of the first prepreg cut piece P2 is provided with a floating preventing means constituted by a suction hole or the like.

Further, when the driving of the cutter 8a is stopped, the first prepreg cut piece P2 is screened by the transfer handle 9 which will be described later. Thereafter, the prepreg raw material P1 is again sent out by the conveying device 6b. At this point, in Figure 3, When the interval cut by the cutter 8a is indicated by the side L1, the driving of the conveying device 6b and the cutter 8a is controlled such that the length of the side L1 becomes twice the width of the width of the prepreg P1.

As shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, on the downstream side of the cutting device 8, that is, on the side of the main transport path 3 of the secondary transport path 7, a transport handle 9 is provided, which is to be in the first pre- The prepreg sheet formed by the dip cut section forming portion 5 is also transferred to the main conveyance path 3 by the first prepreg cut piece P2 shown in Fig. 3 cut (cut) by the cutting device 8. Advancing prepreg material P1.

As shown in Fig. 2, the transfer handle 9 includes a holding portion 9a that sucks and holds the first prepreg cut piece P2, and a moving portion 9b that holds the holding portion 9a on a horizontal surface. The direction (orientation) of the reinforcing fibers F of the first prepreg cut piece P2 is set to a predetermined direction. The holding portion 9a is configured to detachably hold the first prepreg cut piece P2 by suction under reduced pressure. The moving portion 9b is formed by a robot arm, and has a plurality of rotation axes and moves the holding portion 9a in the XY direction on the horizontal surface while rotating it around the vertical axis, and the holding portion 9a is lifted and lowered. Make up.

The transfer handle 9 having such a configuration is held by the first prepreg cut piece P2 of the parallelogram cut by the cutting device 8 through the holding portion 9a, and the first prepreg held by the moving portion 9b is held. The cut piece P2 is moved to the main conveyance path 3, and then the first prepreg cut piece P2 is placed on the prepreg raw material P1 by being attached and detached from the holding portion 9a.

At this time, as shown in FIG. 3, the moving portion 9b is formed so that the first prepreg is cut so that the fiber direction (orientation direction) of the reinforcing fibers of the first prepreg cut piece P2 is set in advance. P2 is appropriately rotated and placed on the prepreg P1, even if it is +45° which is different from the direction (orientation) of the reinforcing fibers F of the prepreg P1. Further, unlike the above-described rotation, the first prepreg cut piece P2 is placed along the upper surface of the prepreg raw material P1 and moved to the downstream side of the main conveyance path 3 as will be described later.

When the first prepreg cut piece P2 is placed in this manner, the cut edge L2 of the first prepreg cut piece P2 is cut so as to be positioned on the side edge of the prepreg original material P1. The edge L2 is aligned. By this means, as shown in FIG. 3, the first prepreg cut piece P2 is not exposed from the prepreg raw material P1, but is placed on the prepreg raw material P1.

By the first prepreg cutting section forming portion 5 and the transfer handle 9 continuously forming the first prepreg cut piece P2 and the formed first prepreg cut piece P2, as in the first As shown in Fig. 5, the first prepreg cut piece P2 is placed (placed) in a continuous state with almost no gap and without overlapping with respect to the prepreg raw material P1 traveling on the main transport path 3. In other words, with respect to the first prepreg cut piece P2 that has traveled first, the subsequent first prepreg cut piece P2 becomes the gap S within the range set in advance, and therefore is arranged in a continuous state so as not to overlap. .

However, in the prepreg original material P1, the width dimension is uneven, and the first prepreg cut piece P2 obtained thereafter is also uneven in shape and size. Therefore, only the first prepreg is cut The sheet P2 is placed at a position set in advance, and the gap S between the first prepreg cut piece P2 and the first prepreg cut piece P2 before and after is uneven. As a result, the subsequent first prepreg cut piece P2 may overlap with the first prepreg cut piece P2 that has traveled first.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the gap detecting portion 10 is disposed on the side of the main transport path 3 slightly downstream of the secondary transport path 7. The gap detecting unit 10 detects a gap S between the first prepreg cut piece P2 that has traveled first and the subsequent first prepreg cut piece P2 on the prepreg raw material P1 that travels on the main conveyance path 3. The gap detecting unit 10 is connected to a control device (not shown) and is controlled by the control device. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6A, the pair of sensors 30 and 30 are provided. The gap detecting sensor 31 is configured. Further, as shown in FIGS. 7A to 7D, the gap detecting unit 10 includes a downstream side pressing portion 32 which is a rear end portion of the first prepreg cut piece P2 which is advanced first. The upstream side pressing portion 33 presses the end portion before the front end edge of the subsequent first prepreg cut piece P2.

The sensor 30 is formed by a two-dimensional laser displacement sensor that detects the step difference of the sheet in the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7B, the first prepreg cut P2 and the subsequent one that travels first are followed. When the first prepreg cut piece P2 reaches the position set in advance, it is disposed so as to be directly above the gap S between these. Further, as for the sensor 30, an image sensor composed of a CCD camera or the like may be used instead of the 2-dimensional laser displacement sensor.

One of the pair of the sensor 30 and the sensor 30 is disposed on one side in the width direction of the first prepreg cut piece P2 as shown in FIG. 6B, that is, disposed in the gap S. The other side is directly above the side end portion, and the other side is disposed directly above the other side end portion of the gap. Thereby, each sensor 30 detects the gap S of the measurement position 30a directly below it.

Furthermore, the pair of sensors 30 and 30 are held by the sliding mechanism 34 as shown in FIG. 6 , whereby the ends of the gap S are indicated by arrows. The position immediately above moves between the outer side of the gap S.

The downstream side pressing portion 32 is as shown in FIGS. 7A to 7D, and the first prepreg cut piece P2 is directly above the rear end portion of the first prepreg cut piece P2 that travels first. The thin plate-like member disposed along the end edge of the cut edge is lifted and lowered by a lifting mechanism (not shown). In other words, the downstream side pressing portion 32 is disposed at a predetermined position on the main conveying path 3 shown in FIG. 1 and is far longer than the width of the main conveying path 3, and thus is smaller than the first prepreg cut piece P2. The edge formation is longer. As a result, the entire rear end portion of the first prepreg cut piece P2 can be pressed along the longitudinal direction of the rear end edge by the downstream side pressing portion 32. In other words, the downstream side pressing portion 32 is disposed in a state where the main conveying path 3 is inclined at a predetermined angle (45°), similarly to the gap detecting unit 10 shown in FIG. 1 .

The downstream side pressing portion 32 can be moved (moved) downward by the first prepreg cut piece P2 by being raised, and then the lower pre-dip cut piece P2 can be removed by lowering The rear end edge is formed by pressing the end portion. Therefore, the downstream side pressing portion 32 is as described 7A to 7D, it is disposed on the downstream side of the trailing edge of the first prepreg cut piece P2 that travels first, and is disposed, for example, on the downstream side of about 10 mm.

The upstream side pressing portion 33 is as shown in FIGS. 7A to 7D, and the first prepreg cut piece P2 is directly above the front end portion of the subsequent first prepreg cut piece P2. The thin plate-shaped member which is disposed as the front edge of the cutting edge is lifted and lowered by a lifting mechanism (not shown). Since the upstream side pressing portion 33 is also disposed at a predetermined position on the main conveying path 3 shown in FIG. 1 and is far longer than the width of the main conveying path 3, it is smaller than the front end edge of the first prepreg cut piece P2. Formed longer. As a result, the entire front end portion of the first prepreg cut piece P2 can be pressed along the longitudinal direction of the front end edge by the upstream side pressing portion 33. In other words, the upstream side pressing portion 32 is also disposed in a state where the main conveying path 3 is inclined at a predetermined angle (45°), similarly to the gap detecting unit 10 shown in FIG. 1 .

The upstream side pressing portion 33 is configured to be raised to a height set in advance, that is, to rise from the upper surface of the first prepreg cut piece P2 which is the surface to be placed to a height of about 0.5 mm or less. The position is stopped, and the first prepreg cut piece P2 is guided by moving the first prepreg cut piece P2 downward, and then descends, and the front end of the first prepreg cut piece P2 is removed. The front end of the edge is pressed. Therefore, the upstream side pressing portion 33 is disposed on the upstream side of the front end edge of the subsequent first prepreg cut piece P2 as shown in FIG. 7 to FIG. 7D, and is disposed, for example, upstream of about 10 mm. side.

The upstream side pressing portion 33 is as shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. As shown in Fig. B, on the upstream side, that is, on the upstream side of the main transport path 3, a guide portion 33a is formed. In the present embodiment, the guide portion 33a is formed by a tapered surface formed on the upstream lower end portion of the upstream side pressing portion 33. In other words, a tapered surface is formed from the height in the vicinity of the upstream end surface of the upstream side pressing portion 33 toward the bottom surface, and the guide portion 33a is formed by the tapered surface.

By having such a guide portion 33a, the upstream side pressing portion 33, as shown in Fig. 7A, lifts the subsequent first prepreg slice P2 by the guide portion 33a while rising to the predetermined height. Guide to the underside of itself. In other words, the first prepreg cut piece P2 which is held by the transfer handle 9 and rotated at a predetermined angle and whose angle of the reinforcing fiber F is set to a predetermined angle, and the reinforcing fiber F is reinforced. The angle is guided to the lower side of the upstream side pressing portion 33 while being maintained. At this time, the tip end of the first prepreg cut piece P2 abuts against the guide portion 33a of the upstream side pressing portion 33, and is guided to the lower side by the tapered surface thereof to slide into the upstream side pressing portion 33. Bottom side.

Therefore, the first prepreg cut piece P2 is slid into the bottom surface side of the upstream side pressing portion 33 by the front end portion thereof, and is moved to a previously set position by the transfer handle 9 to be adjacent to the first travel through an appropriate gap. The first prepreg cuts the rear end edge of the slice P2. At this time, the first prepreg cut piece P2 that has been in the past may overlap the first prepreg cut piece P2 that has traveled first, but in the present embodiment, the upstream side pressing portion 33 is restricted by the bottom surface thereof. The subsequent first prepreg cuts the slice P2, so that such overlap can be prevented.

However, as mentioned above, it is caused by the width of the prepreg material P1. The gap size S between the first prepreg cut piece P2 and the first prepreg cut piece P2 may exceed the allowable range. Therefore, in the gap detecting unit 10 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7A, the downstream side pressing portion 32 presses the rear end portion of the first prepreg cut piece P2 that travels first, and then the seventh step. In the state shown in FIG. The width of the gap S is detected by the device 30, respectively. At this time, as described above, the upstream side pressing portion 33 is located at a position of about 0.5 mm or less above the upper surface of the first prepreg cut piece P2, and the floating of the first prepreg cut piece P2 can be prevented.

When the gap S detected by the pair of the sensor 30 and the sensor 30 is within the allowable range, the first prepreg slice P2 and the first prepreg are determined by a control device (not shown). The gap S between the cut pieces P2 is appropriate, and the welding described later is performed. On the other hand, when at least one of the gaps S exceeds the allowable range, the upstream side pressing portion 33 is temporarily raised in order to realign the position, and the position of the first prepreg cut piece P2 is adjusted again by the transfer handle 9. . In this case, in particular, when the gaps S on both sides detected by the pair of the sensor 30 and the sensor 30 are substantially different from each other, the first prepreg cut piece P2 is angularly shifted, so that the first pre-preparation is performed. The dip cut section P2 is rotated to adjust the angular offset. Further, when the gaps S on both sides are almost the same, the gap S can be set within the allowable range only by shifting the side of the first prepreg cut piece P2 which is advanced first. Further, the upper limit of the allowable range of the gap S is, for example, about several mm, and the lower limit is zero, that is, the first prepreg cut piece P2 before and after, and the first prepreg cut piece P2 do not overlap each other. The state of contact is also set to the allowable range.

After the position alignment is performed again, the width of the gap S is detected by the pair of sensors 30 and the sensors 30. Thereby, the first prepreg cut piece P2 before and after, the first prepreg cut piece P2, and the gap S on both sides detected by the pair of the sensor 30 and the sensor 30 are all within an allowable range. Configuration. In other words, the first prepreg cut piece P2 and the first prepreg cut piece P2 before and after the final do not overlap, and the transmission is adjusted to a gap S in a predetermined range, and is continuously arranged in the front and rear.

Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in Fig. 6A, a gap welder (welding portion) 11 is provided in the gap detecting portion 10. The welding machine 11 is configured to include a heating unit 11a disposed directly above the gap S formed between the downstream side pressing portion 32 and the upstream side pressing portion 33, and heating the gap S and its vicinity; The mechanism 11b moves the heating unit 11a up and down, and the moving mechanism 11c moves the heating unit 11a and the elevating mechanism 11b in the longitudinal direction of the gap S.

The heating unit 11a is constituted by an ultrasonic welding machine, and the ultrasonic welding machine abuts or approaches the gap S and its vicinity, that is, the rear end portion of the first prepreg cut piece P2 that abuts or approaches the first travel and subsequent The first prepreg cuts the front end portion of the slice P2, and heats these members with friction heat. Thereby, the heating portion 11a is obtained by melting the resin of the first prepreg cut piece P2 and the prepreg raw material P1 therebelow, and then solidifying the first prepreg cut piece P2, 1 The first prepreg cut piece P2 is welded to the prepreg raw material P1 while the prepreg cut piece P2 is welded. Further, as for the heating portion 11a, it is also possible to adopt a structure in which the roller to be heated is rolled or to press the elongated tube The structure of the heater wire replaces the aforementioned ultrasonic fusion splicer.

Here, the heating unit 11a is moved up and down by the elevating mechanism 11b to be in contact with and heated away from the first prepreg cut piece P2. In other words, the heating portion 11a is changed from the ascending state to the first prepreg cut piece P2 and the first prepreg which are lowered as shown in FIG. 7D as shown in FIG. Cut the slice P2 to heat it.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6C, the heating portion 11a is moved to the longitudinal direction of the gap S by the moving mechanism 11c, and the gap S can be heated in the vicinity of the gap S. At this time, if the pair of sensors 30 and 30 are located directly above the gap S, the movement of the heating unit 11a is disturbed. Therefore, when the pair of the sensor 30 and the sensor 30 determine that the gap S between the first prepreg cut piece P2 and the first prepreg cut piece P2 before and after the determination is appropriate, as shown in FIG. 6C It is shown that the sliding mechanism 34 retreats (moves) from directly above the gap S to the outside of the longitudinal direction of the gap S, and does not interfere with the movement of the heating portion 11a.

That is, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7A, FIG. 7B, and FIG. 6A, the first prepreg before and after the (detection) pair of the sensor 30 and the sensor 30 is detected (measured). When the gap S between the slice P2 and the first prepreg cut piece P2 is cut, and it is determined that it is appropriate, as shown in FIG. 6C, the pair of sensors 30 and 30 are directly above the gap S. Retreat (move) to its outside party. Then, the upstream side pressing portion 33 is lowered to press the front end portion of the first prepreg cut piece P2, and then, as shown in Fig. 7D, the heating portion 11a of the fusion splicer 11 is lowered to heat the gap S and the vicinity. /welding, and then the entire gap S is melted by moving toward the length of the gap S Pick up. Thereby, the first prepreg cut piece P2, the first prepreg cut piece P2 and the prepreg raw material P1 are welded together, and the first prepreg cut piece P2 before and after passing through the prepreg raw material P1. The first prepreg cut piece P2 is welded and integrated. At this time, the first prepreg cut piece P2 and the first prepreg cut piece P2 are fixed to the respective positions by the downstream side pressing portion 32 and the upstream side pressing portion 33, and therefore it is determined to be appropriate. The gap S is maintained. Therefore, the first prepreg cut piece P2 and the first prepreg cut piece P2 before and after the above are welded by passing through the appropriate gap S, and are integrally formed integrally.

Further to the downstream side of the fusion splicer 11 (gap detecting unit 10), as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, a delivery device (delivery unit) 12 is disposed. The delivery device 12 is disposed above the main transport path 3, and sends the other prepreg material P3 to the prepreg original P1 and the first prepreg cut P2 that travel on the main transport path 3. The way above the laminate is formed. Here, the prepreg raw material P3 sent out from the delivery device 12 is also the same material as the prepreg raw material P1 which is rewinded onto the main conveyance path 3 by the rewinding device 2, and is strengthened. A prepreg material having a fiber F oriented at 0°.

Further, as shown in Fig. 2, the delivery device 12 is constituted by a rewinding device 12a and a conveying device 12b, wherein the rewinding device 12a rewinds the roll-shaped prepreg raw material P3, and the conveying device The 12b is conveyed to the main conveyance path 3 by the roll-shaped prepreg raw material P3 which is rewinded by the rewinding device 12a. The rewinding device 12a is configured such that the prepreg raw material P3 wound in a roll shape is retracted to the longitudinal direction thereof and temporarily sent out.

The transport device 12b includes a plurality of rollers 12c and a drive source (not shown) such as a motor. The drive source of the motor or the like is connected to the roller 12c disposed on the downstream side of the roller 12c to rotate the roller 12c. The conveying device 12b is rewinded from the rewinding device 12a, and the prepreg raw material P3 temporarily sent out to the upper portion is conveyed to the lower side by a plurality of rollers 12c, and sent to the main conveying path 3 It is formed by the way of traveling above the laminate.

Further, when the prepreg raw material P3 is fed onto the laminate, the delivery device 12 is as shown in Fig. 3 so that both side edges of the prepreg material P3 are located in the laminate. The first prepreg cuts the cut edge L2 of the slice P2 and the cut edge L2 so as to be aligned. As a result, as shown in FIG. 3, the prepreg raw material P3 is placed on the first prepreg cut piece P2 so as not to be exposed from the first prepreg cut piece P2.

On the downstream side of the delivery device 12, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, a fusion splicer 13 is disposed. The fusion splicer 13 is the same as the fusion splicer 11, and has a heating portion, and is the uppermost prepreg material P3 and the laminate of the lower layer, that is, the prepreg P1 and the first prepreg. The layered material of the cut piece P2 is welded to form an integral body. In the present embodiment, the heating portion is moved in the width direction of the prepreg P3 shown in Fig. 3, that is, in the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the reinforcing fibers F, and the prepreg material is used. P3 and the resin which is the laminate of the lower layer are melted and solidified, and these prepreg raw materials P3 are welded to the laminate.

On the downstream side of the fusion splicer 13, as shown in Fig. 1, A second prepreg cut section forming portion 14 is disposed. The second prepreg cut section forming portion 14 is configured in almost the same manner as the first prepreg cut section forming portion 5, and includes a feeding device 15 that feeds a roll-shaped prepreg raw material P1 and a secondary transfer path. 16. The prepreg raw material P1 fed from the delivery device 15 is advanced; and the cutting device 17 is directed to the prepreg raw material P1 traveling on the secondary transfer path 16 at a predetermined angle. Cut (cut) in the width direction.

Here, the prepreg raw material P1 sent from the delivery device 15 is the same as the prepreg original material P1 used in the first prepreg cut section forming portion 5, and the orientation of the reinforcing fiber F is 0°. Dip raw materials.

The delivery device 15 is configured similarly to the delivery device 6 of the first prepreg cutting section forming unit 5, and is constituted by a rewinding device 15a and a conveying device 15b, wherein the rewinding device 15a is a roller-shaped prepreg The raw material P1 is rewinded, and the conveying device 15b conveys the roll-shaped prepreg raw material P1 which is rewinded by the rewinding device 15a to the secondary conveyance path 16. The rewinding device 15a is configured such that the prepreg raw material P1 wound in a roll shape is wound in the longitudinal direction and sent to the secondary transfer path 16.

The conveying device 15b has a configuration in which a pair of upper and lower rollers 15c and rollers 15c are disposed, and a driving source 15d such as a motor that is connected to one of the pair of rollers 15c and 15c and rotates the roller 15c. The conveying device 15b also clamps the prepreg raw material P1 rewinded from the rewinding device 15a between the pair of rollers 15c and the rollers 15c, and pre-soaks by the rotation of the roller 15c of the driving source 15d. Raw material P1 is introduced, and It is configured to be transmitted to the downstream side of the secondary transport path 16.

The secondary transport path 16 is disposed in the lateral direction of one of the main transport paths 3, that is, is disposed in the same lateral direction as the secondary transport path 7 of the first prepreg cut section forming unit 5, and is connected to the main transport path. 3 is extended and arranged in an orthogonal manner. The conveyance path 16 is also a linear (straight plate-shaped) member having a width wider than the width of the prepreg raw material P1, and is formed so that the prepreg raw material P1 travels on the upper surface thereof. The upper surface of the conveyance path 16 is also formed on a smooth surface having a small frictional resistance so that the prepreg raw material P1 can smoothly travel.

Similarly to the cutting device 8 of the first prepreg cutting section forming portion 5, the cutting device 17 cuts off the prepreg raw material P1 that has traveled on the secondary conveying path 16 in the width direction at a predetermined angle. . That is, the cutting device 17 is configured to include a cutter 8a as shown in Fig. 4, a holding bar 8b for movably holding the cutter 8a, and one of the opposite ends of the support retaining bar 8b. The portion 8c and the support portion 8c.

However, in the cutting device 17 of the second prepreg cutting section forming portion 14, the cutting device 8 cuts the prepreg material P1 in the width direction at an angle of +45°, and Fig. 3 In the case where the first prepreg cut piece P2 is formed, the prepreg raw material P1 is cut in the width direction at an angle of -45° to form the second prepreg cut piece P4 shown in Fig. 3 . .

In other words, in the cutting device 17, the direction in which the holding rod 8b of the cutter 8a shown in Fig. 4 is movably held is different from that of the cutting device 8, as shown in Fig. 1, with respect to the second transfer. Length of path 16 It is arranged in a reverse direction at an inclination of 45°. Thereby, the second prepreg cut piece P4 formed by the cutting device 17 is formed as shown in Fig. 3, and the cut side L4 is formed at an inclination of 45° with respect to the longitudinal direction of the reinforcing fiber F. That is, it is formed at an inclination of 45° in the opposite direction to the first prepreg cut piece P2.

However, in this cutting device 17, the angle of the holding bar for the prepreg P1 is also changed at an arbitrary angle in the same manner as the cutting device 8, whereby the length direction of the prepreg P1 is obtained. The angle of the longitudinal direction of the reinforcing fiber F is variable. Therefore, in the cutting device 17, for example, the cutting angle of "-30 °" or "-60 °" may be used instead of, for example, the cutting angle of the prepreg P1 is "-45°". Furthermore, it can also be cut off at "+45°".

Further, the cutting device 17 is also controlled such that the driving of the cutting machine is interlocked with the operation of the conveying device 15b of the feeding device 15 by a control device (not shown). In other words, during the period in which the transfer operation of the transport device 15b is temporarily stopped, the cutter drives the prepreg material P1 at a predetermined angle to form a second pre-parallel of the parallelogram as shown in FIG. Dip cut slice P4. Here, in the same manner as the secondary transport path 7, the secondary transport path 16 is held at a position further downstream than the holding rod 8b by the second prepreg cut piece P4 formed by cutting. Therefore, the positional displacement caused by the floating of the second prepreg cut piece P4 is provided, and a floating preventing means composed of a suction hole or the like is provided.

Further, when the driving of the cutter is stopped, the second prepreg cut piece P4 is screened by the transfer handle 18 which will be described later. Thereafter, the prepreg raw material P1 is again sent out by the conveying device 15b. At this time, if cutting with a cutting machine The interval between the breaks is indicated by the side L3 in Fig. 3, and the driving of the conveying device 15b and the cutter is controlled such that the length of the side L3 becomes twice the width of the width of the prepreg P1.

As shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, on the downstream side of the cutting device 17, that is, on the side of the main transport path 3 of the secondary transport path 16, a transfer handle 18 is provided, which is to be a second prepreg. The prepreg sheet formed by the cut piece forming portion 14 is cut, cut, and cut, and the second prepreg cut piece P4 shown in Fig. 3 is transferred to the main conveyance path 3 for traveling. On the laminate.

As shown in FIG. 2, the transfer handle 18 has the same configuration as the transfer handle 9, and includes a holding portion 18a and a moving portion 18b, wherein the holding portion 18a sucks and holds the second prepreg cut piece P4, and moves The portion 18b rotates the holding portion 18a on the horizontal surface, and sets the direction (orientation) of the reinforcing fibers F of the second prepreg cut piece P4 to a direction set in advance. The holding portion 18a is configured to detachably hold the second prepreg cut piece P4 by suction under reduced pressure. The moving portion 18b is formed by a robot arm, and has a plurality of rotation axes to move the holding portion 18a in the XY direction in the horizontal plane, rotates around the vertical axis, and can form the holding portion 18a up and down. .

The transfer handle 18 having such a configuration is held by the second prepreg cut piece P4 of the parallelogram cut by the cutting device 17 by the holding portion 18a, and the second pre-preserved portion is held by the moving portion 18b. The dip cut piece P4 is moved to the main conveyance path 3, and then the second prepreg cut piece P4 is placed on the prepreg raw material P3 by loading and unloading it from the holding portion 18a. On the layer).

At this time, as shown in FIG. 3, the holding portion 18a is a direction in which the direction (orientation) of the reinforcing fibers F of the second prepreg cut piece P4 is set in advance, that is, to be a raw material of the prepreg. The second prepreg cut piece P4 is placed on the prepreg in such a manner that P1 or the first prepreg cut piece P2 and the direction (orientation) of the reinforcing fiber F of the prepreg original material P3 are different from each other by -45°. Material P3 (layered material). In addition, unlike the above-described rotation, the second prepreg cut piece P4 is moved to the downstream side of the main conveyance path 3 along the upper surface of the prepreg raw material P as will be described later.

In addition, when the second prepreg cut piece P4 is placed, the cut edge L4 of the second prepreg cut piece P4 is placed so as to be positioned on the side edge of the prepreg original P3. Cut the edge L4 for alignment. As a result, as shown in FIG. 3, the second prepreg cut piece P4 is not exposed from the prepreg raw material P3, but is placed on the prepreg raw material P3.

By the second prepreg cutting section forming portion 14 and the transfer handle 18, the formation of the second prepreg cut piece P4 and the formation of the formed second prepreg cut piece P4 are continuously performed. In the layered material that travels on the transport path 3, the first prepreg cut piece P2 is placed (placed) in a continuous state without gaps and without overlapping.

Here, the traveling speed of the laminate which has traveled to the vicinity of the conveyance handle 18 by the first prepreg cutting section forming portion 5, the conveyance handle 9, the delivery device 12, and the like is carried by the conveyance handle 18 through the secondary conveyance path 16 The transfer speed of the second prepreg cut piece P4 placed on the laminate is different, and the time point may vary. Therefore, in the present embodiment, Between the fusion splicer 13 and the vicinity of the transfer handle 18, for example, by bending the laminate to eliminate the deviation at the aforementioned time point, an accumulation portion (not shown) that can match the time point is provided. Thereby, the time point at which the second prepreg cut piece P4 is placed by the transfer handle 18 can be made coincident with the time point at which the laminated body travels.

As shown in FIG. 1, a gap detecting portion 19 is disposed on the downstream side of the secondary transport path 16 of the main transport path 3. The gap detecting unit 19 detects a gap S between the second prepreg cut piece P4 that has traveled first and the subsequent second prepreg cut piece P4 on the prepreg raw material P1 that travels on the main transport path 3, and It is connected to a control device (not shown) and is controlled by it.

In other words, the gap detecting unit 19 is the same as the gap detecting unit 10, and has a gap detecting sensor 31 composed of one of the sensor 30 and the sensor 30 shown in FIG. 7A to 7D, the downstream side pressing portion 32 and the upstream side pressing portion 33 are provided, and the downstream side pressing portion 32 is provided with the end portion of the trailing edge of the prepreg cut piece which is advanced first. Pressing, the upstream side pressing portion 33 presses the end portion before the leading edge of the subsequent prepreg cut piece.

Therefore, the gap detecting unit 19 is also operated in the same manner as the gap detecting unit 10, whereby the second prepreg cut piece P4 and the second prepreg cut piece P4 are not overlapped, and the transmission is adjusted to be set in advance. The gap S of the range is continuously arranged before and after.

Further, the gap detecting portion 19 is also the same as the gap detecting portion 10, and as shown in Fig. 2, a fusion splicer (welding portion) 20 is disposed. The fusion splicer 20 has almost the same configuration as the fusion splicer 11, and includes a heating portion 11a and a heating portion 11a as shown in Figs. 6 and 6C. The lifting and lowering mechanism 11b; the moving mechanism 11c that moves the heating portion 11a and the lifting mechanism 11b in the longitudinal direction of the gap S.

Therefore, the fusion splicer 20 is also operated in the same manner as the fusion splicer 11, whereby the second prepreg is formed by welding the second prepreg cut piece P4 and the second prepreg cut piece P4 between the front and the back. The cut piece P4, the second prepreg cut piece P4, and the laminate (prepreg raw material P1) underneath are welded and integrally formed. At this time, the second prepreg cut piece P4 and the second prepreg cut piece P4 are fixed to the respective positions by the downstream side pressing portion 32 and the upstream side pressing portion 33, so that the maintenance is determined to be appropriate. Clearance S. Therefore, the second prepreg cut piece P4 and the second prepreg cut piece P4 before and after these are welded by passing through the appropriate gap S, and are integrally formed integrally.

On the downstream side of the fusion splicer 20, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, a fusion splicer (welding portion) 21 is disposed. The fusion splicer 21 is formed by a heating unit similarly to the fusion splicer 13 described above, and is integrally laminated with the fusion splicer 20, that is, the second prepreg cut piece P4 of the uppermost layer and the laminate of the lower layer. Splicing again. At this time, the fusion splicer 21 is in the width direction of the second prepreg cut piece P4 as shown in FIG. 3, that is, in a direction orthogonal to the cut side L4, and the heating portion is advanced to be the second The prepreg cut piece P4 and the resin which is the laminate of the lower layer are melted and solidified, and the second prepreg cut piece P4 is welded to the laminate. That is, by welding at a different angle from the fusion splicer 20, the resulting laminate is more firmly integrated. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 3, the prepreg laminate P5 is formed.

The prepreg laminate P5 formed in this manner is introduced into the conveying device 4 as described above, and travels on the downstream side of the main conveying path 3.

On the downstream side of the conveying device 4, a cutting portion 22 is disposed as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 .

The cutting unit 22 has a cutter similar to the cutting device 8 and the cutting device 17, and the prepreg laminate P5 is in the width direction thereof, that is, the prepreg P1 shown in FIG. The longitudinal direction of the reinforcing fibers F of the prepreg raw material P3 is cut in the direction orthogonal to each other, and as shown in Fig. 1, a rectangular prepreg laminate P6 is formed.

As shown in Fig. 2, the prepreg laminate P6 formed in this manner is sequentially stored in the storage box 23 disposed on the downstream side of the main transport path 3, and then supplied to the next step. In the next step, the prepreg laminate P6 is cut into a desired shape, and the shape of the obtained prepreg laminate P6 is superimposed into a plurality of sheets to form a desired three-dimensional shape. .

Since various members constituting an automobile, an aircraft, and the like are disposed, for example, on the right and left sides, they have members that are plane-symmetrical. When the member having such a plane symmetry is manufactured, the strength must also have surface symmetry. Therefore, the fiber direction (orientation direction) of the reinforced fiber of the prepreg constituting the prepreg laminate must also be the surface of the left and right members. symmetry.

Specifically, in order to impart surface symmetry to the prepreg laminate P6 formed from the prepreg laminate P5 shown in Fig. 3, the prepreg laminate P5 shown in Fig. 3 is provided. 1 prepreg cut slice P2 The prepreg laminate was produced by replacing it with the second prepreg cut piece P4.

In other words, the cutting device of the first prepreg cutting section forming portion 5 shown in Fig. 1 is changed so as to be the angle of the holding rod 8b of the cutting device 17 of the second prepreg cutting section forming portion 14. The angle of the retaining rod 8b of the first prepreg cutting section 8 is changed to the angle of the holding rod 8b of the cutting device 8 of the first prepreg cutting section forming portion 5, and the second prepreg cutting section forming portion 14 is changed. The angle of the retaining rod 8b of the breaking device 17. Thereby, the first prepreg cut piece P2 and the second prepreg cut piece P4 of the prepreg laminate P5 shown in FIG. 3 can be easily replaced. Therefore, the prepreg laminate P6 formed from the prepreg laminate P5 can be easily produced by the same prepreg manufacturing apparatus 1 as a prepreg laminate having a surface symmetry on the strength surface.

In the prepreg manufacturing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the gap detecting unit 10 (gap detecting unit 19) has an upstream side pressing unit 33 that replaces the first prepreg cut piece P2 (second in the second). The front end portion of the prepreg cut piece P4) is pressed at the front end portion, and the upstream side pressing portion 33 cuts the subsequent first prepreg cut piece P2 at a predetermined height (second prepreg cut piece P4) The front end portion is guided to the lower side of the upstream side pressing portion 33, and is configured to restrict the floating of the front end portion. Therefore, the trailing edge of the first prepreg cut piece P2 (second prepreg cut piece P4) which is advanced first does not cause the subsequent first prepreg cut piece P2 (second prepreg cut piece P4) The front end edge is climbed up and adjacent, and in this state, the gap S can be detected by the gap detecting portion 10 (gap detecting portion 19). Therefore, when the first prepreg cut piece P2 (the second prepreg cut piece P4) is joined in the front-rear direction, The prepreg laminate P5 (prepreg) can be produced by welding and joining the fusion splicer 11 (welding machine 20) without forming the overlapping portion.

Further, since the tapered guide portion 33a is provided on the upstream side of the upstream side pressing portion 33, the leading end portion of the subsequent first prepreg cut piece P2 (second prepreg cut piece P4) can be guided upstream. The lower side of the side pressing portion 33. Therefore, the floating of the front end portion can be surely restricted.

In addition, the prepreg manufacturing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment includes a transfer handle 9 (transfer handle 18) that moves while holding the first prepreg cut piece P2 (second prepreg cut piece P4). Its position is aligned. Therefore, the first prepreg cut piece P2 (the second prepreg cut piece P4) is slid into the lower side of the upstream side pressing portion 33 by the transfer handle 9 (the transfer handle 18), so that the position can be easily performed. alignment.

Further, the gap detecting sensor 31 has a sensor 30 between the edge of the detecting side of the gap S between the front and back first prepreg cut pieces P2 (the second prepreg cut piece P4) and detects another A sensor 30 between the edges of one side. Therefore, it is possible to easily determine whether the subsequent first prepreg cut piece P2 (second prepreg cut piece P4) is relative to the first travel first by the offset (difference) between the two gaps S detected. The prepreg cut piece P2 (the second prepreg cut piece P4) produces an angular shift. Therefore, when the angular shift is caused, the angle of the subsequent first prepreg cut piece P2 (second prepreg cut piece P4) is readjusted by the transfer handle 9 (transfer handle 18), so that the first and the first The prepreg cut piece P2 (the second prepreg cut piece P4) is well connected.

Further, the fusion splicer 11 (welding machine 20) has a heating portion 11a that moves along the longitudinal direction of the gap S, and the gap detecting sensor 31 is It is movably disposed between the upper side of the gap S and the outer side of the gap S. Therefore, when the heating portion 11a is moved along the longitudinal direction of the gap S, the gap detecting sensor 31 is prevented from interfering with the movement of the heating portion 11a by moving the gap detecting sensor 31 outward in the gap S. In addition, the first prepreg cut piece P2 and the first prepreg cut piece P2 (the second prepreg cut piece P4 and the second prepreg) are provided by the downstream side pressing portion 32 and the upstream side pressing portion 33. In the state where the cut piece P4) is fixed, the gap detecting sensor 31 detects the gap S, and then performs welding by the fusion splicer 11 (welding machine 20). Therefore, the first prepreg cut piece P2 and the first prepreg cut piece P2 (the second prepreg cut piece P4 and the second prepreg cut piece P4) can be obtained while maintaining the proper gap S. ) welding, so that these good terrain can be integrated.

In addition, the main conveyance path 3 is a method in which the prepreg raw material P1 is advanced, and the first prepreg cut piece P2 (the second prepreg cut piece P4) is laminated on the prepreg raw material P1. Composition. Therefore, not only the first prepreg cut piece P2 (second prepreg cut piece P4) is connected to manufacture a prepreg, but also a laminate in which the prepreg is laminated on the prepreg raw material P1 can be produced.

Further, the prepreg manufacturing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment includes a transfer handle 9 (transfer handle 18) for cutting the slice forming portion 5 (the second prepreg) with the first prepreg. The first prepreg cut piece P2 (second prepreg cut piece P4) formed by the cut piece forming portion 14) is transferred to the prepreg raw material P1 (prepreg raw material P3) traveling on the main transfer path 3 At the same time, the direction of the reinforcing fiber F is set to a predetermined direction, and is placed on the prepreg raw material P1 (prepreg raw material P3). Therefore, borrow From the prepreg raw material P1 (prepreg raw material P3) and the first prepreg cut piece P2 (second prepreg cut piece P4) placed thereon, a laminated fiber direction can be obtained (orientation) Directional) Prepreg laminate P6 of different prepreg sheets. Therefore, the prepreg laminate P6 can be easily manufactured.

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

For example, in the above-described embodiment, a case where a laminate having a four-layer structure is produced as a prepreg to be manufactured is described. However, for example, the main conveyance path 3, the first prepreg cut portion forming portion 5, and the transfer handle are provided. 9. The gap detecting unit 10 and the fusion splicer 11 may be joined to the first prepreg cut piece P2 to produce a single-layer prepreg.

Further, in the above embodiment, the orientation angle of the reinforcing fibers F of the first prepreg cut piece P2 or the second prepreg cut piece P4 is particularly set to +45° or -45°, but by adjusting the cut The angle at which the breaking device 8 and the cutting device 17 hold the rod may be, for example, +30° (-30°) and +60° (-60°).

[Industry use possibility]

When the plurality of cut prepreg cut pieces are joined in the front-rear direction, they are joined without forming an overlapping portion, and a prepreg manufacturing apparatus capable of manufacturing a prepreg can be provided.

1‧‧‧Prepreg board manufacturing equipment

2, 6a, 15a‧‧‧ rewinding device

3‧‧‧Main transport path

4, 6b, 15b‧‧‧ conveyor

4a, 6c, 15c‧‧‧ wheels

4b, 6d, 15d‧‧‧ drive source

5‧‧‧1st prepreg cutting section forming department

6, 12, 15‧‧‧ delivery device (delivery department)

7, 16‧‧‧ delivery routes

8, 17‧‧‧ cut-off device

8b‧‧‧Keep a stick

9, 18‧‧‧Transfer handle

10, 19‧‧‧ gap detection department

13, 21‧‧‧ welding machine

14‧‧‧2nd prepreg cutting section forming department

22‧‧‧cutting department

P1, P3‧‧‧ prepreg raw materials

P2‧‧‧1st prepreg cut slice

P4‧‧‧2nd prepreg cut slice

P5‧‧‧Prepreg laminate

P6‧‧‧Prepreg laminate

Claims (9)

A prepreg manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing a prepreg, which is formed by laminating a plurality of prepreg cuts on a prepreg material in a front-rear direction and laminated on a prepreg material. The prepreg manufacturing apparatus includes a main conveyance path that advances the prepreg raw material and the prepreg cut piece placed on the prepreg raw material, and the gap detecting unit detects the a gap between the pre-preg cut piece that advances on the prepreg original material and the subsequent prepreg cut piece; and a weld portion that uses the prepreg raw material to advance the previously advanced prepreg The end edge of the cut piece is welded to the front end edge of the subsequent prepreg cut piece; and the gap detecting part has a downstream side pressing part which is to cut the rear end edge of the prepreg slice Thereafter, the end portion is pressed; the upstream side pressing portion presses the end portion before the front end edge of the subsequent prepreg cut piece; and the gap detecting sensor detects that it will be pressed by the downstream side pressing portion Prepreg cuts the slice after the edge and the front a gap between the front end edges of the prepreg cut pieces pressed by the upstream side pressing portion, and the upstream side pressing portion guides the front end portion of the subsequent prepreg cut piece to the upstream side press at a predetermined height The lower side of the portion is configured to restrict the floating of the front end portion. The prepreg manufacturing apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein the upstream side pressing portion is provided on a upstream side of the main conveying path, and a tapered guiding portion is provided for cutting the subsequent prepreg The front end portion of the slice is guided to the lower side of the upstream side pressing portion. A prepreg manufacturing apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention is characterized in that the prepreg manufacturing apparatus is provided with a transfer handle for holding and moving the prepreg, and positioning thereof. A prepreg manufacturing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a transfer handle for holding and moving the prepreg, and positioning the same. The prepreg manufacturing apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein the gap detecting sensor has a rear end edge for detecting a prepreg cut by the downstream side pressing portion and the upstream side pressing portion The sensor between the end edge of one side of the gap between the front end edges of the pressed prepreg cut piece and the end edge of the other side is detected. The prepreg manufacturing apparatus according to the second aspect of the invention, wherein the gap detecting sensor has a trailing edge that detects a prepreg cut by the downstream side pressing portion and the upstream side pressing portion The sensor between the end edge of one side of the gap between the front end edges of the pressed prepreg cut piece and the end edge of the other side is detected. The prepreg manufacturing apparatus of claim 3, wherein the gap detecting sensor has a detection on the downstream side a sensor between the end edge of the gap between the trailing edge of the prepreg cut piece pressed by the pressing portion and the front end edge of the prepreg cut piece pressed by the upstream side pressing portion, and detecting the other A sensor between the edges of the sides. The prepreg manufacturing apparatus according to the fourth aspect of the invention, wherein the gap detecting sensor has a rear end edge for detecting a prepreg cut by the downstream side pressing portion and the upstream side pressing portion The sensor between the end edge of one side of the gap between the front end edges of the pressed prepreg cut piece and the end edge of the other side is detected. The prepreg manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the welding portion has a heating portion which is a prepreg which is advanced along a longitudinal direction thereof. The trailing edge of the slice moves over the gap between the leading edge of the subsequent prepreg cut, and the gap detecting sensor is arranged to move between the gap and the outer side of the gap.