Systems and methods for manufacturing large contoured parts from thermoplastic laminate sheets
US-12172396-B2 · Dec 24, 2024 · US
US9550331B2 · US · B2
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Publication number | US-9550331-B2 |
| Application number | US-201113640324-A |
| Country | US |
| Kind code | B2 |
| Filing date | Apr 7, 2011 |
| Priority date | Apr 10, 2010 |
| Publication date | Jan 24, 2017 |
| Grant date | Jan 24, 2017 |
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A method for producing a composite molded part from fiber-reinforced plastics material includes providing a prepreg semi-finished product including fibers that are pre-impregnated with a matrix material and encasing the semi-finished product with a flexible sheet material to form an inner arrangement. The flexible sheet material includes a gas-permeable membrane and an inner planar gas-conducting element. The inner arrangement is encased with a first gas-tight casing and positioned on a molding surface of a mold. The inner arrangement and molding surface is encased with a second gas-tight casing. A first negative pressure is applied to the inner planar gas-conducting element and the inside of the first gas-tight casing, and the entire arrangement is heated for a first time at a first temperature. A second negative pressure is applied to an inside of the second gas-tight casing and the entire arrangement is heated for a second time at a second temperature.
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The invention claimed is: 1. A method for producing a composite molded part from fiber-reinforced plastics material, the method comprising: a) providing a prepreg semi-finished product including fibers that are pre-impregnated with a matrix material; b) encasing the prepreg semi-finished product with a flexible sheet material so as to form an inner arrangement, the flexible sheet material including at least one inner planar gas-conducting element and a gas-permeable membrane configured to hold back the matrix material, the gas-permeable membrane being disposed between the at least one inner planar gas-conducting element and the prepreg semi-finished product; c) encasing the inner arrangement formed by the prepreg semi-finished product and the flexible sheet material with a first gas-tight casing; d) positioning the inner arrangement provided with the first gas-tight casing on a first molding surface; d′) arranging at least one outer planar gas-conducting element on an outside of at least one surface region of the first gas-tight casing; e) encasing the inner arrangement provided with the first gas-tight casing and the first molding surface with a second gas-tight casing so as to provide an entire arrangement; applying a first negative pressure to the inner planar gas-conducting element and the inside of the first gas-tight casing; g) heating the entire arrangement for a first predetermined time at a first specified temperature; h) applying a second negative pressure to the inside of the second gas-tight casing via the at least one outer planar gas-conducting element; and i) heating the entire arrangement for a second predetermined time at a second specified temperature. 2. The method recited in claim 1 , further comprising, after step b): b′) arranging at least one inner gas-conducting structure on an outside of at least one surface region of the inner planar gas-conducting element, and wherein step f) further comprises applying the first negative pressure to the inner planar gas-conducting element via the at least one inner gas-conducting structure. 3. The method recited in claim 2 , wherein the at least one inner gas-conducting structure is arranged on a lateral edge of the inner planar gas-conducting element. 4. The method recited in claim 1 , further comprising, before step c), arranging a second molding surface on a side of the inner arrangement remote from the first molding surface. 5. The method recited in claim 1 , wherein steps b) and c) are combined by using a sheet material that is previously provided with a first gas-tight casing. 6. A device for producing a composite molded part from fiber-reinforced plastics material, the device comprising: a first molding tool including a molding surface; an inner arrangement of a prepreg semi-finished product, including fibers which are pre-impregnated with a matrix material and are configured to be placed on the molding surface, and a sheet material encasing the prepreg semi-finished product, the sheet material including a gas-permeable membrane configured to hold back the matrix material, and at least one inner planar gas-conducting element, the inner arrangement being enclosed by a first gas-tight casing; a first negative pressure source that is operatively connected to an inside of the first gas-tight casing; a second gas-tight casing enclosing the inner arrangement that is provided with the first gas-tight casing and the molding surface of the molding tool; a second negative pressure source that is operatively connected to the inside of the second casing; a heater enclosing the entire arrangement at least in part; and at least one outer planar gas-conducting element that is in fluid connection with the second negative pressure source, the at least one outer planar gas-conducting element being disposed on an outside of at least one surface region of the first gas-tight casing. 7. The device recited in claim 6 further comprising at least one inner gas-conducting structure in fluid connection with the inner planar gas-conducting element and with the first negative pressure source that is disposed on an outside of at least one surface region of the inner planar gas-conducting element. 8. The device recited in claim 7 , wherein the at least one inner gas-conducting structure is disposed on lateral edges of the inner planar gas-conducting element. 9. The device recited in claim 6 , further comprising a second molding tool with a molding surface disposed on a side of the inner arrangement that is remote from the first molding tool. 10. The device recited in claim 6 , wherein the sheet material is connected, on an outside thereof remote from the membrane, to a gas-tight casing.
using isostatic pressure, e.g. pressure difference-moulding, vacuum bag-moulding, autoclave-moulding or expanding rubber-moulding · CPC title
Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations {, e.g. feeding or storage of prepregs or SMC after impregnation or during ageing} · CPC title
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