Device for cutting to size and handling a substantially extensive blank from a cfk semi-finished product and method

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016243715-A1
Application number	US-201615138591-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Apr 26, 2016
Priority date	Dec 20, 2007
Publication date	Aug 25, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A device for cutting to size and handling a substantially planar blank from a planar CFRP semi-finished product positioned on a cutting table by a cutting means, it being possible for the separated blank to be drawn up by suction and at least raised by a vacuum effector, characterised in that at least one blank electrode can be brought into contact with the blank and at least one peripheral electrode can be brought into contact with a peripheral portion separated from the CFRP semi-finished product and the at least two electrodes are connected to a voltage source and to a measuring means or device, the measuring means or device being able to detect a complete separation of the blank from the CFRP semi-finished product.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A device for cutting to size and handling a substantially planar blank from a planar CFRP semi-finished product positioned on a cutting table and cut to size, the device comprising:
a cutter having a cutting edge or a blade to separate the blank from the CFRP semi-finished product; a movable vacuum effector configured to be movable toward and away from the planar blank to raise the partially separated or completely separated blank by suction above a measuring height; at least one blank electrode; at least one peripheral electrode, wherein the at least one peripheral electrode and the at least one blank electrode are arranged on the same side of the CFRP semi-finished product; a voltage source; and a measuring device, the at least one blank electrode being configured to be movable to be brought into contact with the blank and the at least one peripheral electrode being configured to be movable to be brought into contact with a peripheral portion of the CFRP-semi-finished product which is separated or separate from the blank by the cutter and the at least two electrodes are connected to a voltage source for applying a current to the electrodes and to the measuring device for measuring a current flowing between the at least two electrodes, the measuring device being configured to detect a complete separation of the blank from the CFRP semi-finished product, wherein the at least two electrodes, the voltage source, the measuring device and the uncut CFRP semi-finished product form a closed electrical circuit at least in a lowered state of the vacuum effector,
wherein a current which is greater than 0 mA can be increased by the voltage source for a short time up to a maximum value upon the blank reaching the measuring height, in order to produce in an automated manner the complete separation of the blank from the CFRP semi-finished product by the melting of unsevered carbon fiber bridges, and
wherein the vacuum effector is configured to raise the completely separated blank above the measuring height, positions it and delivers it to a mould in an RTM process.

2 . The device according to claim 1 , wherein the measuring device is an ammeter, and wherein a current of more than 0 mA indicates an incomplete separation of the blank from the CFRP semi-finished product when the blank is raised by a measuring height.

3 . The device according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one peripheral electrode is arranged in the region of an outer edge of the vacuum effector.

4 . The device according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one peripheral electrode is arranged resiliently in the vertical direction on a holder by a spring to ensure an electrical contact between the at least one peripheral electrode and the peripheral portion of the CFRP semi-finished product up to at least the measuring height.

5 . The device according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one blank electrode is arranged in a suction region of the vacuum effector, and an electrical contact exists between the blank electrode and the blank drawn up by suction.

6 . The device according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one cutting edge or blade oscillates vertically with a frequency of up to 18,000 strokes per minute.

7 . The device according to claim 1 , wherein the CFRP semi-finished product is at least one of a single-layer woven fiber fabric, an interlaced fiber fabric or a knitted fiber fabric.

8 . The device according to claim 1 , wherein the voltage source is a constant voltage source.

9 . The device according to claim 8 , wherein the measuring device is an ammeter.

10 . The device according to claim 9 , wherein the ammeter is a direct current ammeter.

Assignees

• Airbus Operations Gmbh

Inventors

• Fastert Claus
• Krafft Hans-Martin
• Klein-Lassek Matthias

Classifications

• B26D7/27

  Means for performing other operations combined with cutting (B26D9/00 takes precedence) · CPC title

• B26D7/018 Primary

  Holding the work by suction · CPC title

• B26D7/22

  Safety devices specially adapted for cutting machines (safety devices in general F16P) · CPC title

• Y10T83/0453

  By fluid application · CPC title

• Y10T83/851

  Indicator comprising work or product · CPC title