WO2002066220A1 - Procede et systeme a regulation automatique destines au durcissement de materiaux reactifs - Google Patents

Procede et systeme a regulation automatique destines au durcissement de materiaux reactifs Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2002066220A1
WO2002066220A1 PCT/CA2002/000196 CA0200196W WO02066220A1 WO 2002066220 A1 WO2002066220 A1 WO 2002066220A1 CA 0200196 W CA0200196 W CA 0200196W WO 02066220 A1 WO02066220 A1 WO 02066220A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
reactive material
temperature
radiation
rate
controller
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/CA2002/000196
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Steve Martin
Original Assignee
Exfo Photonic Solutions Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US09/846,237 external-priority patent/US20020114879A1/en
Application filed by Exfo Photonic Solutions Inc. filed Critical Exfo Photonic Solutions Inc.
Publication of WO2002066220A1 publication Critical patent/WO2002066220A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C35/00—Heating, cooling or curing, e.g. crosslinking or vulcanising; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C35/02—Heating or curing, e.g. crosslinking or vulcanizing during moulding, e.g. in a mould
    • B29C35/0288—Controlling heating or curing of polymers during moulding, e.g. by measuring temperatures or properties of the polymer and regulating the process
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05D—PROCESSES FOR APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05D3/00—Pretreatment of surfaces to which liquids or other fluent materials are to be applied; After-treatment of applied coatings, e.g. intermediate treating of an applied coating preparatory to subsequent applications of liquids or other fluent materials
    • B05D3/02—Pretreatment of surfaces to which liquids or other fluent materials are to be applied; After-treatment of applied coatings, e.g. intermediate treating of an applied coating preparatory to subsequent applications of liquids or other fluent materials by baking
    • B05D3/0254—After-treatment
    • B05D3/0263—After-treatment with IR heaters
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C35/00—Heating, cooling or curing, e.g. crosslinking or vulcanising; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C35/02—Heating or curing, e.g. crosslinking or vulcanizing during moulding, e.g. in a mould
    • B29C35/08—Heating or curing, e.g. crosslinking or vulcanizing during moulding, e.g. in a mould by wave energy or particle radiation
    • B29C35/0805—Heating or curing, e.g. crosslinking or vulcanizing during moulding, e.g. in a mould by wave energy or particle radiation using electromagnetic radiation

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to the field of curing polymeric materials, typically in the class of thermosets, with common but by no means exclusive application to manufacturing techniques involving reactive adhesives.
  • curable materials and variations thereof are intended to mean polymeric materials which chemically transform with the application of sufficient energy, unless a contrary intention is apparent.
  • Curable materials such as photoreactive adhesives
  • the process of curing such reactive materials generally involves the supplying of energy to the reactive material to initiate the desired and frequently exothermic chemical reaction; however, in providing the energy to the material, it is necessary to carefully monitor the temperature and avoid thermal runaway which ultimately results in the burning of the material.
  • curable adhesives exist. The selection of an adhesive for a specific application depends on various uncured and cured properties, including viscosity, pot-life, cure time, post-cure strength and hardness, chemistry (affecting which materials can be bonded), shrinkage, and density.
  • the curing characteristics of the adhesive such as curing time and temperature, depend on the chemical composition of the adhesive as well as its volume.
  • Prior art techniques for curing reactive materials typically require knowledge of a curing profile for the material to be cured, including the rate or power level at which energy is to be delivered to the material over time. In general, the determination of a curing profile (of which many variations may exist), which achieves acceptable curing results, requires extensive testing of different power levels and cure durations. However, if the composition, shape or quantity of the curable material changes to even a small degree, generally a new curing profile must be determined. Otherwise, an unsatisfactory cure or thermal runaway may result.
  • the inventors have recognized a need for a system and method which is capable of automatically adjusting a cure cycle to satisfactorily cure reactive material, despite variations in the quantity or shape of the material.
  • This invention is directed towards a system and method for curing reactive materials.
  • the subject invention is directed towards a method of curing reactive material.
  • the method includes the steps of:
  • the invention is further directed towards an alternate method of curing reactive material.
  • the steps of this method include:
  • the invention is also directed towards a system for curing reactive material.
  • the system comprises a generator capable of generating radiation within the absorption spectrum of the reactive material, a power supply operatively coupled to the generator, and a temperature sensor capable of detecting the temperature of the reactive material and generating temperature data signals correlated to the detected temperature.
  • the system also includes a controller adapted to control the amount of power supplied to the generator.
  • the controller is configured to receive the temperature data signals and to detect a variation in the rate of change in the temperature of the reactive material.
  • the controller is also configured to adjust the amount of power supplied to the generator upon the controller detecting a variation in the rate of change in the temperature of the reactive material.
  • the invention is directed towards an alternate system for curing reactive material.
  • the alternate system comprises a generator capable of generating radiation within the absorption spectrum of the reactive material, a power supply operatively coupled to the generator, an emitter adapted to direct the generated radiation onto the reactive material, and a temperature change sensor capable of detecting the rate of temperature change of the reactive material and generating data signals correlated to the detected rate of temperature change.
  • the alternate system also includes a controller adapted to control the amount of power supplied to the generator wherein the controller is responsive to the data signals such that the amount of power supplied to the generator is varied upon detection of a variation in the rate of temperature change of the reactive material.
  • the present invention is directed to another alternate system for curing reactive material.
  • This second alternate system comprises a generator capable of generating radiation within the absorption spectrum of the reactive material, a power supply operatively coupled to the generator, an emitter adapted to emit the generated radiation onto the reactive material, and a temperature sensor capable of detecting the temperature of the reactive material and generating temperature data signals correlated to the detected temperature.
  • the second alternate system also includes a controller configured to receive the temperature data signals and configured to detect a variation in the rate of change in the temperature of the reactive material, as well as means responsive to the controller for varying the rate of radiation emitted by the emitter upon detection by the controller of a variation in the rate of temperature change of the reactive material.
  • Figure 1 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the curing system made in accordance with the present invention.
  • Figure 2 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the light delivery module of Figure 1.
  • Figure 3 is a logical flow diagram of the method carried out by the curing system made in accordance with the present invention.
  • Figure 4 is a graph illustrating the change in temperature of reactive material being cured in accordance with the present invention.
  • the curing system shown generally as 10, comprises a base unit 12 and a light delivery module 14 (LDM).
  • the base unit 12 and the light delivery module 14 are operatively coupled together by cabling 15 to enable the exchange of data and the supply of power from the base unit 12 to the LDM 14, as will be discussed in greater detail, below.
  • the base unit 12 includes a base unit housing 16, a master controller 18 and a control data interface 20 having keypads and a display for enabling a user to input control instructions and data into the system 10 via the master controller 18.
  • the master controller 18 contains a suitably programmed central processing unit and memory, as will be understood.
  • the module 14 includes a housing 26 in which are contained the LDM controller 28, a power supply 30, a non-contact worksite temperature sensor 32, a light source or generator 34, an internal temperature sensor 36, a fan 38 and an emitter assembly 40.
  • the power supply 30 is configured to provide power to the light source 34, and typically is electrically coupled to the base unit 12 which in turn obtains power through a standard electrical plug.
  • the LDM controller 28 is operatively coupled to the power supply 30 and to the light source 34, to control the supply of power to the light source 34 throughout a curing cycle.
  • the light source 34 is configured to generate broadband infrared radiation, and typically includes a tungsten halogen lamp. As will be understood, the light source 34 also includes a reflector often coated with gold or aluminum to reflect light having longer wavelengths.
  • the emitter assembly 40 includes a lens 41 for focusing the generated light radiation onto the curable material 100 positioned on the workpiece 102.
  • the lens is made of calcium fluoride which is capable of transmitting a broad range of infrared wavelengths.
  • the emitter assembly 40 also preferably includes a replaceable filter 42 for selecting the emission of specific spectral bands of radiation that can be more precisely matched to the absorption spectrum of the material to be cured.
  • the emitter assembly 40 may also include a shutter mechanism 43 for regulating the amount of energy emitted by the LDM 14, in place of regulating the power to the light source 34.
  • the light source 34 and emitter 40 are selected to generate and emit infrared radiation within the range of 3 to 5 micrometers. This range largely overlaps the high absorption region of large number of curable materials, including many adhesives.
  • the LDM controller 28 is operatively linked to the master controller 18, and is also electrically connected to the non-contact worksite temperature sensor 32.
  • the non-contact temperature sensor 32 is configured to monitor the temperature of the curable material 100 throughout the cure cycle.
  • the temperature sensor 32 typically monitors blackbody radiation, which is proportional to the temperature, emitted by the curable material 100, and generates corresponding temperature data which is received by the LDM controller 28.
  • the LDM 14 also includes a targeting system including three low-power visible lasers 44 (one of which is visible in Figure 2) aligned such that their beams intersect at the focal point of the light source 34.
  • Such a targeting capability is useful, since the infrared radiation emitted by the LDM 14 is invisible.
  • the LDM 14 preferably has a radiometry system 46 configured to monitor the power level of the radiation generated by the light source 34 for calibrating the LDM 14 and confirming that the LDM 14 is delivering the expected quantity of energy to the workpiece 102.
  • the LDM controller 28 is also operatively coupled to the internal temperature sensor 36 and controls the operation of the fan 38 to maintain the internal temperature of the LDM 14 including the light source 34, within acceptable operating parameters.
  • the LDM controller 28 comprising a central processing unit and memory as will be understood, is programmed to receive temperature data signals from the non-contact temperature sensor 32 and calculate the rate at which the temperature of the curable material 100 is changing during the cure cycle.
  • Figure 3 illustrates the steps of the method 200 carried out by the curing system 10 in use and made in accordance with the subject invention.
  • the user typically first preprograms the system 10 (and specifically the LDM controller 28) using the control data interface 20, with limited curing parameters for the curing cycle (Block 202).
  • This limited curing parameter data includes the initial power level for the initial high intensity radiation stage, the desired curing temperature, and the minimum cure period, all correlated to the specific curable material 100 to be cured.
  • This limited curing parameter data also preferably includes the absorption spectrum of the curable material 100.
  • the filters 42 will be configured to selectively emit radiation within this absorption spectrum.
  • the workpiece 102 having the curable material is typically then appropriately positioned at the system's 10 focal point (Block 204).
  • This positioning step may be carried out by the user manually, using the targeting laser system 44, or will preferably be carried out by an automated manufacturing system using a conveyor belt, manipulator arms or other mechanism, as will be understood.
  • the curing cycle is then initiated with the LDM controller 28 causing the power supply 30 to provide sufficient power to the light source 34 to generate radiation substantially at the initial power level for the initial high intensity stage (Block 206). This radiation is directed onto the curable material 100 by the emitter module 40 (Block 208).
  • the term "curing cycle” is used herein and is intended to mean the entire time in which energy is directed onto the curable material 100, this is to be distinguished from the onset of cure which occurs partway through the curing cycle, as will be discussed in greater detail below.
  • the non-contact temperature sensor 32 monitors the temperature of the curable material 100 and generates corresponding temperature data which is received by the LDM controller 28 (Block 210).
  • the LDM controller 28 determines the rate at which the temperature of the curable material 100 is increasing.
  • the temperature sensor 32 may automatically determine the rate of temperature increase and simply forward corresponding data to the controller 28. Based on this data, the controller 28 then determines if the rate of temperature increase is steady (Block 212). If the rate is steady, the non- contact temperature sensor continues to direct radiation at the high intensity power level onto the curable material at Block 208 and to monitor the temperature of the curable material at Block 210.
  • the graph illustrates the rate of increase in temperature of the workpiece during the initial high intensity stage (beginning at point A and continuing to point B).
  • curable materials receiving energy at a constant power level Prior to the onset of cure, curable materials receiving energy at a constant power level typically increase in temperature at a steady rate, as illustrated by the straight line on the graph between points A and B.
  • the material 100 commences its chemical transformation, which marks the onset of cure.
  • This chemical transformation is typically exothermic.
  • the exothermic reaction causes a rapid increase in the rate of temperature increase of the curable material 100 (as illustrated by the sharp increase in the slope of the line starting at point B). Unchecked, this increase in the rate of temperature increase would result in thermal runaway (indicated by the dotted line on the graph) thereby burning the curable material 100.
  • the controller 28 detects the increase in the rate of temperature increase (at about point B on Figure 4), the controller 28 reduces the rate at which energy is directed onto the curable material 100, and adjusts this rate to maintain the temperature of the curable material 100 substantially at the preprogrammed desired curing temperature, for the preprogrammed minimum curing period (Block 214).
  • This segment of the curing cycle is illustrated by the straight line on the graph between points C and D.
  • the LDM controller 28 may adjust the rate of energy directed onto the curable material 100 by adjusting the amount of power supplied to the light source 34 and hence the power of the radiation generated, or by adjusting the shutter 43 to affect the quantity of energy emitted by the emitter 40 by the light source 34.
  • the LDM controller 28 may be programmed to store data from successive curing cycles and use that data to "learn” to anticipate the timing of and more promptly detect the onset of cure (point B).
  • Block 210 during which energy is directed onto the curable material 100 at a lower intensity is determined by pretesting larger quantities of curable material of the same composition, and determining the quantity of time required to sufficiently cure such larger quantities at the desired curing temperature.
  • LDM controller 28 and the master controller 18 have been described as two separate but operatively coupled devices, one single controller may be used in place of the two controllers 28, 18. Alternatively, the computational functions may be performed by the master controller 18, instead of the LDM controller 28.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Heating, Cooling, Or Curing Plastics Or The Like In General (AREA)

Abstract

L"invention concerne un procédé et un système de durcissement de matériaux réactifs. Le système comprend un générateur capable de générer un rayonnement, une alimentation couplée de façon fonctionnelle au générateur, et un émetteur capable d"émettre le rayonnement généré sur le matériau. Ce système comprend aussi un capteur de température capable de détecter la température du matériau et de générer les données de température correspondantes, ainsi qu"un dispositif de contrôle destiné à contrôler le niveau de puissance du rayonnement émis. Ce dispositif de contrôle est conçu de manière à recevoir les signaux de données de température et à détecter une variation dans la vitesse de changement en température du matériau en cours de durcissement. Ce dispositif est également conçu de manière à ajuster le niveau de puissance du rayonnement émis lors de la détection d"une variation dans la vitesse de changement en température du matériau en cours de durcissement. Le procédé de l"invention comprend les étapes consistant à générer un rayonnement, à diriger ce rayonnement à un premier niveau de puissance sur le matériau réactif, à surveiller le matériau réactif de manière à détecter une variation dans le changement de température dudit matériau en cours de durcissement, et lors de la détection d"une variation dans le changement en température du matériau en cours de durcissement, à ajuster le niveau de puissance auquel le rayonnement est émis sur le matériau jusqu"à ce que ce dernier soit sensiblement durci.
PCT/CA2002/000196 2001-02-21 2002-02-20 Procede et systeme a regulation automatique destines au durcissement de materiaux reactifs WO2002066220A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US60/269,864 2001-02-21
US60/276,140 2001-03-16
US09/846,237 US20020114879A1 (en) 2001-02-21 2001-05-02 Self-regulated method and system for curing of reactive materials
US09/846,237 2001-05-02

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2002066220A1 true WO2002066220A1 (fr) 2002-08-29

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/CA2002/000196 WO2002066220A1 (fr) 2001-02-21 2002-02-20 Procede et systeme a regulation automatique destines au durcissement de materiaux reactifs

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WO (1) WO2002066220A1 (fr)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2005042648A2 (fr) * 2003-10-31 2005-05-12 E.I. Dupont De Nemours And Company Procede de durcissement de revetements sous forme de poudre
US6972413B1 (en) * 2003-05-22 2005-12-06 Henkel Corporation UV curing system
GB2564856A (en) * 2017-07-21 2019-01-30 Spirit Aerosystems Europe Ltd Method and apparatus for curing a composite article

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB798573A (en) * 1955-09-23 1958-07-23 Wayne Kerr Lab Ltd Improvements in or relating to resin casting
US4271106A (en) * 1979-06-18 1981-06-02 Control Process, Inc. Method for controlling an exothermic molding process
US5209881A (en) * 1991-12-05 1993-05-11 W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn. High accuracy control system and method for panel line production
EP0640469A1 (fr) * 1993-08-31 1995-03-01 Essilor International Compagnie Generale D'optique Procédé pour la fabrication de lentilles optiques
GB2301059A (en) * 1995-05-24 1996-11-27 Ford Motor Co Resin transfer moulding with controlled heating of resin
US5670203A (en) * 1992-03-28 1997-09-23 Ver-Fahrenstechnik Hubers Gmbh Process for potting components in an impregnating compound
US6174155B1 (en) * 1997-07-31 2001-01-16 Q2100, Inc. Apparatus for producing ultraviolet blocking lenses

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB798573A (en) * 1955-09-23 1958-07-23 Wayne Kerr Lab Ltd Improvements in or relating to resin casting
US4271106A (en) * 1979-06-18 1981-06-02 Control Process, Inc. Method for controlling an exothermic molding process
US5209881A (en) * 1991-12-05 1993-05-11 W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn. High accuracy control system and method for panel line production
US5670203A (en) * 1992-03-28 1997-09-23 Ver-Fahrenstechnik Hubers Gmbh Process for potting components in an impregnating compound
EP0640469A1 (fr) * 1993-08-31 1995-03-01 Essilor International Compagnie Generale D'optique Procédé pour la fabrication de lentilles optiques
GB2301059A (en) * 1995-05-24 1996-11-27 Ford Motor Co Resin transfer moulding with controlled heating of resin
US6174155B1 (en) * 1997-07-31 2001-01-16 Q2100, Inc. Apparatus for producing ultraviolet blocking lenses

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6972413B1 (en) * 2003-05-22 2005-12-06 Henkel Corporation UV curing system
WO2005042648A2 (fr) * 2003-10-31 2005-05-12 E.I. Dupont De Nemours And Company Procede de durcissement de revetements sous forme de poudre
WO2005042648A3 (fr) * 2003-10-31 2006-01-12 Du Pont Procede de durcissement de revetements sous forme de poudre
GB2564856A (en) * 2017-07-21 2019-01-30 Spirit Aerosystems Europe Ltd Method and apparatus for curing a composite article
GB2564856B (en) * 2017-07-21 2020-07-29 Spirit Aerosystems Europe Ltd Method and apparatus for curing a composite article

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