Forming tool and method for forming a semi-finished product comprising reinforcement fibers and forming apparatus

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016200015-A1
Application number	US-201614993516-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jan 12, 2016
Priority date	Jan 12, 2015
Publication date	Jul 14, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A forming tool for forming a semi-finished product comprising reinforcement fibers and being conveyed to the forming tool in a continuous process. The forming tool comprises at least one pressure bag configured to be pressurized during a forming step of the semi-finished product, during which the semi-finished product is sandwiched between a forming surface of a forming element and the at least one pressurized pressure bag, such that the semi-finished product substantially takes on the shape of the forming surface. Further, a forming apparatus and a forming method for forming a semi-finished product comprising reinforcement fibers are provided.

First claim

1 . A forming tool for forming a semi-finished product comprising reinforcement fibers and being conveyed to the forming tool in a continuous process, the forming tool comprising:
at least one pressure bag configured to be pressurized during a forming step of the semi-finished product, during which forming step the semi-finished product is sandwiched between a forming surface of a forming element and the at least one pressurized pressure bag, such that the semi-finished product substantially takes on the shape of the forming surface.

2 . The forming tool according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a plurality of pressure bags configured to be pressurized during the forming step.

3 . The forming tool according to claim 1 , further comprising:
at least one pressure distribution element different from a pressure bag.

4 . The forming tool according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a controller configured to control at least one of an amount of pressure, a pressurizing start time, and a pressurizing end time of the at least one pressure bag.

5 . The forming tool according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a fluid inlet for supplying the at least one pressure bag with a pressurized fluid; a fluid outlet for allowing the fluid to flow out of the at least one pressure bag; and a valve unit for controlling a fluid flow through the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet.

6 . A forming apparatus for forming a semi-finished product comprising reinforcement fibers, the forming apparatus comprising:
a forming tool comprising at least one pressure bag configured to be pressurized during a forming step of the semi-finished product, during which forming step the semi-finished product is sandwiched between a forming surface of a forming element and the at least one pressurized pressure bag, such that the semi-finished product substantially takes on the shape of the forming surface; a forming element; and a conveying device for conveying the semi-finished product along a conveying direction.

7 . The forming apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the conveying device comprises at least two clamping apparatuses arranged consecutively in the conveying direction and configured to convey the semi-finished product or the forming element along the conveying direction.

8 . The forming apparatus according to claim 6 , further comprising:
a preforming tool arranged in front of the forming tool in the conveying direction, wherein the preforming tool is configured to preform the semi-finished product.

9 . The forming apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein a cross section of the forming element taken in a plane perpendicular to the conveying direction of the semi-finished product varies along the conveying direction.

10 . A method for forming a semi-finished product comprising reinforcement fibers, the method comprising:
conveying the semi-finished product to a forming tool comprising at least one pressure bag; and pressurizing the at least one pressure bag, while the semi-finished product is sandwiched between a forming surface of a forming element and the at least one pressurized forming bag, such that the semi-finished product substantially takes on the shape of the forming surface.

11 . The method according to claim 10 , wherein the forming tool comprises a plurality of pressure bags, the method comprising at least one of:
pressurizing the plurality of pressure bags; and individually controlling a pressurizing start time of each one of the plurality of pressure bags.

12 . The method according to claim 11 , further comprising:
pressurizing a first pressure bag adjacent to a middle portion of the semi-finished product as seen in a cross section taken in a plane perpendicular to a conveying direction of the semi-finished product; and after pressurizing the first pressure bag, pressurizing a second pressure bag closer to a side portion of the semi-finished product as seen in the cross section taken in the plane perpendicular to the conveying direction of the semi-finished product.

13 . The method according to claim 10 , wherein the step of pressurizing the at least one pressure bag comprises allowing a pressurized gas to flow into the pressure bag, and the method further comprises:
after the step of pressurizing, allowing the gas to flow out of the at least one pressure bag by means of a vacuum.

14 . The method according to claim 10 , wherein the semi-finished product is conveyed in a continuous process in a conveying direction.

15 . The method according to claim 10 , wherein the semi-finished product is conveyed in a continuous process in a conveying direction, wherein in a first forming step a first section of a final product form comprising the semi-finished product is formed and in a subsequent second forming step a second section of the final product form comprising the semi-finished product is formed.

16 . The method according to claim 10 , further comprising before the step of pressurizing, preforming the semi-finished product by means of a preforming tool.

Assignees

• Airbus Operations Gmbh

Inventors

• Barlag Carsten
• Backhaus Sascha
• Miske Florian

Classifications

• B29C33/34

  movable, e.g. to or from the moulding station · CPC title

• B29C43/58

  Measuring, controlling or regulating {(for bank adjustment in calendering B29C43/245)} · CPC title

• B29K2105/08

  of continuous length, e.g. cords, rovings, mats, fabrics, strands or yarns · CPC title

• B29C43/34 Primary

  Feeding the material to the mould or the compression means {(B29C43/085 takes precedence)} · CPC title

• B29C2043/3416

  conveyor belts · CPC title