Chopped fiber composite sorting and molding systems and methods

Abstract

Chopped fiber composite systems and methods are disclosed. Sorting systems include a conveyor, an imager, a plurality of receptacles, a pneumatic device, and controller. Molding systems include a conveyor, an imager, a mold, a pneumatic device, and a controller. The controller directs the pneumatic device to alter the freefall of chopped fiber composite pieces based on characteristics of the chopped fiber composite pieces as they drop from the conveyor and into a receptacle or a mold. Sorting and molding methods include dropping chopped fiber composite pieces, detecting characteristics of the dropping pieces, and directing the pieces based on the detected characteristics.

Description

technical field [0001] The present disclosure relates to chopped fiber composite sorting and forming. Background technique [0002] Compression molding with chopped fiber composites is used in various industries to produce various parts. For example, the aerospace, ground vehicle, and marine vehicle industries are increasingly utilizing composite materials, and compression molding is the only available process for making parts. For example, in the aerospace industry, compression molding can be used for non-critical parts, ie, parts whose failure is not catastrophic to the larger device as a whole. Compression molding with chopped fiber composites has historically resulted in parts of less than desired quality due to varying properties and / or defects in the chopped fiber composite fragments utilized. Accordingly, there is a need for improved chopped fiber composite sorting and forming systems and methods, optionally for producing critical parts, ie parts whose failure may b...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Compression molding with chopped fiber composites has historically resulted in parts of lower than desired quality due to varying properties and / or defects in the chopped fiber composite fragments utilized

Images