WO2004069519A1 - Outil de coupe de moulage basse pression - Google Patents

Outil de coupe de moulage basse pression Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2004069519A1
WO2004069519A1 PCT/US2004/002906 US2004002906W WO2004069519A1 WO 2004069519 A1 WO2004069519 A1 WO 2004069519A1 US 2004002906 W US2004002906 W US 2004002906W WO 2004069519 A1 WO2004069519 A1 WO 2004069519A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
actuating shaft
gate
cutting tool
polypropylene material
bore
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2004/002906
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Harold Wayne Jerdon
Jacob Asa Shanafelt, Jr.
Harold Eimers Smith
Original Assignee
Intier Automotive 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
Application filed by Intier Automotive Inc. filed Critical Intier Automotive Inc.
Publication of WO2004069519A1 publication Critical patent/WO2004069519A1/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
    • B29C48/00—Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C48/25—Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations
    • B29C48/30—Extrusion nozzles or dies
    • B29C48/305—Extrusion nozzles or dies having a wide opening, e.g. for forming sheets
    • B29C48/31—Extrusion nozzles or dies having a wide opening, e.g. for forming sheets being adjustable, i.e. having adjustable exit sections
    • 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
    • B29C48/00—Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C48/03—Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor characterised by the shape of the extruded material at extrusion
    • B29C48/07—Flat, e.g. panels
    • B29C48/08—Flat, e.g. panels flexible, e.g. films
    • 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
    • B29C48/00—Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C48/25—Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations
    • B29C48/255—Flow control means, e.g. valves
    • B29C48/2556—Flow control means, e.g. valves provided in or in the proximity of dies
    • 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
    • B29C48/00—Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C48/25—Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations
    • B29C48/30—Extrusion nozzles or dies
    • B29C48/301—Extrusion nozzles or dies having reciprocating, oscillating or rotating parts
    • 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
    • B29C48/00—Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C48/25—Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations
    • B29C48/30—Extrusion nozzles or dies
    • B29C48/302—Extrusion nozzles or dies being adjustable, i.e. having adjustable exit sections
    • 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
    • B29C2793/00—Shaping techniques involving a cutting or machining operation
    • B29C2793/009—Shaping techniques involving a cutting or machining operation after shaping
    • 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
    • B29C48/00—Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C48/03—Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor characterised by the shape of the extruded material at extrusion
    • B29C48/04—Particle-shaped
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
    • B29K2023/00—Use of polyalkenes or derivatives thereof as moulding material
    • B29K2023/10—Polymers of propylene
    • B29K2023/12—PP, i.e. polypropylene

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to cutting tools, and in particular to a cutting tool for cutting extruded molten plastic material in a low pressure molding tool.
  • LPM Low pressure molding
  • Conventional LPM tools may be used to form plastic parts, such as, for example, interior automotive trim parts including door panels and the like.
  • Conventional LPM tools typically include a cutting tool in the form of a hydraulically driven "guillotine- type" blade that cuts extruded molten polypropylene material from a large extruder head opening.
  • the extruder head is typically heated to a sufficiently high temperature, such as, for example, 210 C, to allow the expansion of the polypropylene material from an initial "bead size state" to a "sheet state” so that the polypropylene material may easily flow into the LPM cutting tool for subsequent cutting by the blade.
  • a sufficiently high temperature such as, for example, 210 C
  • the leaking or "drooling" of the polypropylene material undesirably causes the unpurged polypropylene material to cool and "frost over" on the extruder head opening of the LPM cutting tool.
  • Frosted over polypropylene material introduces numerous problems including shortened shots of molten polypropylene material, wrinkles in the molded polypropylene material, oil residue from the LPM cutting tool in the molded part, scuff marks in the molded part, and foreign object introduction into subsequently molded parts (i.e. hardened polypropylene material residue or burnt polypropylene material purged into freshly extruded polypropylene material), which results in a scrapped part weighing approximately 0.504 lbs. per cycle and down time of the LPM cutting tool.
  • a LPM cutting tool that operates 24-hours-a-day experiences on an average about 7-35 minutes of down time a day, which accounts for approximately 87 hours of lost production time annually.
  • a LPM cutting tool comprising a gate, an actuating shaft, and at least one hydraulic arm.
  • the gate is defined by a length and includes a bore, a first throat portion, and a second, opposing throat portion.
  • the actuating shaft includes a longitudinal passage.
  • the actuating shaft is disposed within the bore and extends through the entire length of the gate of the bore.
  • the at least one hydraulic arm is positioned at a first end of the actuating shaft that extends from a first side of the gate. Upon actuation of the hydraulic arm, the actuating shaft rotates about the bore from a closed position to an open position in order to promote the extrusion and cutting of the molten plastic material.
  • Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a LPM cutting tool including hydraulic arms, a shaft, and a gate, according to an embodiment of the invention
  • Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the gate taken along lines 2-2 of Figure 1;
  • Figure 3 is a top view of a fully assembled LPM cutting tool of Figure 1 ;
  • Figure 4 is a bottom view of a fully assembled LPM cutting tool of Figure 1.
  • a low pressure molding (LPM) cutting tool shown generally at 10, according to an embodiment of the invention, reduces scrap and down time while maintaining normal operating conditions of the LPM cutting tool 10.
  • the components of the LPM cutting tool 10 may comprise any desirable material, such as steel, that may be milled or formed using any desirable alternative method.
  • the inventive feature and utility of the LPM cutting tool 10 is described in more detail below.
  • the LPM cutting tool 10 generally comprises extruding means, such as a gate 12, that includes at least a bore 14, side portions 16, beveled side portions 18, a top portion 20, a bottom portion 22, and opposing throat portions 24, 26 ( Figure 2) that may be centrally disposed about the top and bottom portions 20, 22, respectively.
  • the gate 12 may be milled from a suitable material, such as 4340 or 4140 steel and hardened to approximately 52 to 56 Rockwell, surface ground, and then flash chromed in order to endure repetitive molding operations.
  • the LPM cutting tool 10 also includes an extruding actuation means, such as an actuating shaft 28 that has a diameter, Dl, and a length, LI, sufficient to extend through the bore 14 and outwardly from both sides of the gate 12.
  • the length, LI is also sufficient to allow the ends of the actuating shaft 28 to be operatively coupled to a passage 30 in one or more hydraulic arms 32.
  • the actuating shaft 28 also includes a longitudinal passage 34 that extends through the entire actuating shaft 28. As illustrated, the longitudinal passage 34 is centrally disposed about the length of the actuating shaft 28.
  • the actuating shaft may be milled from a suitable material, such as 4340 or 4140 steel and hardened to approximately 52 to 56 Rockwell in order to endure repetitive molding operations.
  • the gate 12 may define any desirable size or shape.
  • the top portion 20, bottom portion 22, and opposing throat portions 24, 26, may have any desirable width, Wl, W2, and W3, respectively.
  • the widths, Wl, W2 and W2 may be about 3.350, 2.000, and 2.351 inches, respectively.
  • the overall height of the gate 12 between the top portion 20 and the bottom portion 22, which is shown generally at HI, may be approximately 1.75 inches.
  • the side portions 16 may comprise any desirable height, H2, such as approximately 0.689 inches, which is referenced from the plane, P, of the bottom portion 22 and a generally horizontal line, X, where the beveled portion 18 extends from the side portion 16 at any desirable angle, ⁇ .
  • the angle, ⁇ may be approximately 45°.
  • the bore 14 is defined by a diameter, Dl, which is slightly smaller than the height, H2.
  • the diameter, Dl may be approximately 11/16-of-an-inch, and may centrally disposed about the opposing throat portions 24, 26 about the length, L2 ( Figures 3A and 3B) of the gate 12.
  • the bore 14 is also adjacently spaced from the bottom portion 22 by a distance, H3, which may be approximately 0.003 inches.
  • the actuating shaft 28 has a diameter, D2, that is slightly, less than, but approximately equal to the diameter, Dl, of the bore 14 to allow the actuating shaft 28 to be inserted into the bore 14.
  • the diameter, D2, of the actuating shaft 28 may be approximately 0.686 inches.
  • the actuating shaft 28 is defined by a length, LI, which is approximately equal to 28.25 inches.
  • the length, L2, of the gate 12 is approximately equal to 21.75 inches.
  • the length, L3, and width, W4, of the opposing throat portions 24, 26 are approximately equal to 6.0 inches and 0.351 inches, respectively.
  • the longitudinal passage 34 of the actuating shaft 28 comprises a similar length and width as described above with respect to the opposing throat portions 24, 26.
  • the throat portion 24 is the "supply side" of the LPM cutting tool 10
  • the throat portion 26 is the "extrusion side" of the LPM cutting tool 10.
  • the dimensions L4 and L5 are approximately equal to each other because the throat portions 24, 26 are substantially centrally located along the longitudinal length, L2, of the gate 12.
  • the invention can be practiced with the throat portions 24, 26 being off-center, in which case, the dimensions L4 and L5 would not be approximately equal to each other.
  • the dimensions given above are for illustrated purposes only, and in no way limit the scope of the invention.
  • the invention can be practiced with a cutting tool 10 having any desirable dimensions.
  • the actuating shaft 28, which is driven by the hydraulic arms 32, is in an initially closed position in which the passage 34 of the actuating shaft 28 is not in alignment with the throat portions 24, 26 of the gate 12.
  • a bead state polypropylene material load and an optional reinforcing agent load such as a talc load
  • the assembled LPM cutting tool 10 with the barrel hopper is shown in Figures 4-7.
  • the bead state polypropylene material load and reinforcing agent load may comprise any desirable mixture amount, such as, for example, approximately 86% polypropylene material and 14% reinforcing agent.
  • the reinforced bead state polypropylene material load is then heated to an operable temperature, for example, approximately 210 C, to allow the reinforced polypropylene material to flow in a molten state.
  • extruding of the molten polypropylene material may occur by rotating the actuating shaft 28 from the closed position to an open position by applying approximately 90 lbs/in 2 of air pressure to the hydraulic arms 32.
  • the amount of air pressure depends on the particular low pressure molding tool 10, and the invention is not limited by the amount of air pressure that is required to rotate the actuating shaft 28.
  • the hydraulic arms 32 and the actuating shaft 28 may be driven approximately 90° in the direction as indicated by the arrow, A, such that the longitudinal passage 34 and opposing throat portions 24, 26 are substantially aligned with each other.
  • the polypropylene material may be extruded by a low hydraulic pressure from the throat portion 24 on the polypropylene material side, through the longitudinal passage 34 of the actuating shaft 28, and out through the throat portion 26 on the extrusion side of the LPM cutting tool 10 in any desirable pattern, such as a wide-ribbon pattern, for any desirable period of time as determined by the operator.
  • the hydraulic arms 32 are again actuated such that the actuating shaft 28 is rotated approximately 90° in the reverse direction of the arrow, A, in order to reposition the actuating shaft 28 in the closed position in which the longitudinal passage 34 and opposing throat portions 24, 26 are no longer substantially aligned with each other.
  • the actuating shaft 28 is rotated to the closed position, the shear forces exerted on the polypropylene material due to the actuating shaft 28 and the gate 12 causes the polypropylene material to be cleanly and accurately cut, while maintaining the molten temperature of the polypropylene material.
  • the actuating shaft 28 may be rotated in a continuous manner in either the clockwise or counterclockwise direction.
  • the heated polypropylene material provides lubrication to the LPM cutting tool 10 such that the actuating shaft 28 acts as a lubricated bearing about the gate 12.
  • the edges of the longitudinal passage 34 and the throat portion 26 on the extrusion side of LPM cutting tool 10 are sharpened in order to increase improved trimming of the molten polypropylene material upon transitioning the actuating shaft 28 to the closed position.
  • the minimized distance, H3, of the operation bore 14 to the bottom portion 22 of the gate 12 decreases the probability of unpurged polypropylene material from adhering to the LPM cutting tool 10, thereby minimizing scrap material that may be formed during the cutting process.
  • the LPM cutting tool 10 provides a ball-valve-type action and eliminates the use of a blade or other external cutting mechanism that may otherwise permit unpurged polypropylene material from freezing and hardening about the throat portion 26. In this manner, the LPM cutting tool 10 maintains the temperature of the molten polypropylene material throughout the operation of molding process and prevents undesirable exposure of the molten polypropylene material to the cooler ambient environment, such that freezing over of the molten polypropylene material is substantially reduced or completely eliminated. Thus, the LPM cutting tool 10 reduces scrap and down time while maintaining normal operating conditions of the LPM cutting tool 10.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Extrusion Moulding Of Plastics Or The Like (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention a trait à un outil de coupe de moulage à basse pression (10) comportant une entrée (12) et un arbre d'entraînement (28). L'entrée (12) comprend un alésage (14), une première portion de gorge (24) et une deuxième portion de gorge opposée (26). L'arbre d'entraînement (28) comporte un passage longitudinal (34) pour permettre le passage du matériau de polypropylène en fusion. L'arbre d'entraînement (28) est introduit dans l'alésage (14) et présente une longueur L1, suffisante pour son prolongement hors de l'entrée (12). Une paire de bras hydrauliques (32) est reliée en fonctionnement à chaque extrémité de l'arbre d'entraînement (28) s'étendant depuis l'entrée (12). Lors de l'actionnement des bras hydrauliques (32), l'arbre d'entraînement (28) tourne autour de l'alésage (14) depuis une position de fermeture vers une position d'ouverture pour permettre l'extrusion du matériau de polypropylène en fusion à travers l'entrée (12). Lors d'un actionnement supplémentaire des bras hydrauliques (32), l'arbre d'entraînement (28) tourne depuis la position d'ouverture vers une position de fermeture pour découper le matériau polypropylène en fusion par des efforts de cisaillement provoquées par la rotation de l'arbre d'entraînement (28) contre l'alésage (14) de l'entrée (12). Etant donné que le matériau de polypropylène en fusion n'est pas exposé à la température ambiante plus fraîche, la température du matériau de polypropylène en fusion est sensiblement maintenue pendant l'extrusion et l'opération de découpe.
PCT/US2004/002906 2003-02-03 2004-02-02 Outil de coupe de moulage basse pression WO2004069519A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US44448703P 2003-02-03 2003-02-03
US60/444,487 2003-02-03

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2004069519A1 true WO2004069519A1 (fr) 2004-08-19

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Family Applications (1)

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PCT/US2004/002906 WO2004069519A1 (fr) 2003-02-03 2004-02-02 Outil de coupe de moulage basse pression

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Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2014048599A1 (fr) * 2012-09-27 2014-04-03 Volkswagen Varta Microbattery Forschungsgesellschaft Mbh & Co. Kg Valve à fente connectable pour installation d'application de revêtement, installation d'application de revêtement et procédé d'application de revêtement

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE4416502A1 (de) * 1994-05-10 1995-11-16 Bayerische Motoren Werke Ag Breitschlitzdüse zur Abgabe von Kunststoffmasse
DE29906903U1 (de) * 1998-04-21 1999-07-08 Engel Maschinenbau Ges.M.B.H., Schwertberg Breitschlitzdüse
WO1999037464A1 (fr) * 1998-01-22 1999-07-29 Engel Maschinenbau Gesellschaft M.B.H. Buse a fente large
WO2001038071A1 (fr) * 1999-11-23 2001-05-31 Unilever Plc Procede de fabrication d'articles façonnes

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE4416502A1 (de) * 1994-05-10 1995-11-16 Bayerische Motoren Werke Ag Breitschlitzdüse zur Abgabe von Kunststoffmasse
WO1999037464A1 (fr) * 1998-01-22 1999-07-29 Engel Maschinenbau Gesellschaft M.B.H. Buse a fente large
DE29906903U1 (de) * 1998-04-21 1999-07-08 Engel Maschinenbau Ges.M.B.H., Schwertberg Breitschlitzdüse
WO2001038071A1 (fr) * 1999-11-23 2001-05-31 Unilever Plc Procede de fabrication d'articles façonnes

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2014048599A1 (fr) * 2012-09-27 2014-04-03 Volkswagen Varta Microbattery Forschungsgesellschaft Mbh & Co. Kg Valve à fente connectable pour installation d'application de revêtement, installation d'application de revêtement et procédé d'application de revêtement
US9533325B2 (en) 2012-09-27 2017-01-03 VW-VM Forschungsgesellschaft mbH & Co, KG Switchable slot valve for a coating system, coating system, and coating method

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