An automatic mold turning device and method for composite material bulkhead co-curing molding

Abstract

The present invention discloses an automated mold turning device and method for composite bulkhead co-curing molding, the automated mold turning device comprises a composite bulkhead paving tool, a composite bulkhead molding tool and a flipping robot; the automated mold turning method comprises the flipping robot flipping the composite bulkhead component paved on the composite bulkhead paving tool by 180 degrees as a whole and then placing it on the composite bulkhead molding tool. The present invention realizes the overall automated flipping of the composite material and the bulkhead by using the manipulator of the robot, which greatly saves manpower, has high work efficiency, and is suitable for mass production; and, the present invention uses the automated flipping of the manipulator, so that the product is not easily deformed, thereby ensuring the product quality in the process; at the same time, the present invention has high positioning accuracy through the automatic positioning of the manipulator.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an automatic mold turning device and method for co-curing molding of a composite material bulkhead. Background Art

[0002] In the field of aerospace, some composite bulkhead parts are often used. During the production process of these parts, after the composite material is laid, they usually need to be flipped 180 degrees together with the pressure pad and placed on the molding tooling to enter the next process. At present, this flipping process is mainly achieved by manual operation. However, due to the large volume of composite bulkhead parts, for example, some parts have a diameter of about 1.8m, and the flipping requires 8 people to work together to complete it, which consumes a huge amount of manpower and cannot meet the needs of mass production; furthermore, during the production process of parts, the surface of the composite bulkhead is not allowed to be touched, otherwise it is easy to cause wrinkles and deformation, thereby affecting the quality of the parts, and it is difficult to avoid touching it by manual flipping. Therefore, the qualified rate of existing parts production is low, resulting in huge waste of resources; in addition, when the parts are manually flipped 180 degrees and placed on the molding tooling, the positioning accuracy is not enough, and the position of the bulkhead needs to be manually adjusted later. The process is complicated, and the risk of wrinkles in the bulkhead is increased, and production efficiency is reduced. Therefore, a reasonable and effective method is urgently needed to solve this problem. Summary of the invention

[0003] In view of the above problems, the present invention provides an automated mold turning device and method for composite bulkhead co-curing molding. This method uses a robot to turn over the bulkhead and pressure pad, saving manpower; and cooperates with a reasonable pressing and positioning mechanism to position the material and its tooling to ensure the positioning accuracy after turning over; and this method can effectively avoid contact with the composite bulkhead, ensuring the quality of the product; at the same time, it greatly improves production efficiency and meets the needs of mass production. The specific technical solution is as follows:

[0004] An automated mold turning device for co-curing molding of a composite bulkhead frame comprises a composite bulkhead frame paving tool, a composite bulkhead frame molding tool and a flipping robot; the flipping robot flips the composite bulkhead frame component laid on the composite bulkhead frame paving tool by 180 degrees as a whole and then places it on the composite bulkhead frame molding tool.

[0005] The aforementioned composite bulkhead co-curing molding automated mold turning device, the composite bulkhead paving tooling includes a supporting mold, a pressure pad laid on the supporting mold and a paving frame for placing the supporting mold, and the composite bulkhead product is laid on the pressure pad.

[0006] The aforementioned composite bulkhead co-curing molding automated mold turning device, the composite bulkhead molding tooling includes a bulkhead shell and a bulkhead frame, the bulkhead shell is used to buckle on the laid composite bulkhead component, and the bulkhead frame is used to place the flipped composite bulkhead component.

[0007] The aforementioned automated mold-turning device for co-curing molding of composite bulkheads, the flipping robot comprises a base, a robot, an electrical cabinet and a control cabinet; the base is fixed to a foundation by bolts; the robot is mounted on the base, and is provided with a manipulator for flipping composite bulkhead parts, and the interface of the manipulator is matched and connected with the interface below the support mold; the electrical connection between the electrical cabinet and the robot is used to provide power to the robot; the control cabinet is used to control the robot to perform flipping operations.

[0008] The aforementioned composite bulkhead co-curing molding automated mold turning device also includes a clamping mechanism, which is used to clamp and fix the support mold, pressure pad, composite bulkhead component and bulkhead shell to achieve overall flipping.

[0009] Preferably, the clamping mechanism includes a pressure regulating valve and a plurality of clamping assemblies; the pressure regulating valve is installed on the control cabinet; the clamping assembly is installed on the edge of the support mold, and includes an SMC cylinder, a connecting rod and a rocker arm; the SMC cylinder is used to provide power to the clamping mechanism, and a sensor cooperating with the pressure regulating valve is arranged therein; the connecting rod is used to fix the entire clamping assembly on the support mold; the rocker arm is installed at one end of the connecting rod, and its structure is in the shape of a "knife", and a pressure head for contacting the bulkhead shell is provided at the upper end of the rocker arm, which presses and fixes the bulkhead shell, the composite bulkhead component and the pressure pad on the support mold; a pulling head is provided at the lower end of the rocker arm, which is connected to the SMC cylinder to control the lifting and lowering of the rocker arm and the pressure of the pressure head.

[0010] Preferably, the supporting formwork is made of 7075 aviation aluminum plate, and the paving frame is provided with a step ladder for operators to stand and lay materials, and the surface of the step ladder is paved with anti-slip aluminum plate.

[0011] Preferably, the bulkhead shell is a composite material shell, and its edge is provided with pin holes for connection with the supporting mold; the bulkhead frame is made of metal material, and its upper shape matches the back of the bulkhead shell, and is used to support the bulkhead shell and the composite bulkhead frame thereon.

[0012] The aforementioned composite bulkhead co-curing molding automated mold-turning device also includes a fence, which encloses the composite bulkhead laying tooling, the composite bulkhead molding tooling and the robot, and the control cabinet is located outside the fence and remotely controls the flipping operation; the fence is provided with safety doors at the bulkhead frame and the control cabinet for workers to enter and exit.

[0013] The method for performing mold turning using the aforementioned composite material bulkhead co-curing molding automatic mold turning device includes the following steps:

[0014] S1: Laying materials: First, the robot's manipulator drives the support mold to be placed on the paving frame, and then a pressure pad is laid on the support mold; the operator stands on the step ladder of the paving frame and lays the materials for making the partition frame on the pressure pad as required;

[0015] S2: Positioning and pressing: After the composite bulkhead parts are laid, the bulkhead shell is buckled on the composite bulkhead parts and is positioned and connected to the support mold through the pin holes; then the bulkhead shell, the composite bulkhead parts and the pressure pad are pressed on the support mold through the pressing mechanism;

[0016] S3: Flipping operation: After the clamping mechanism is clamped and fixed, the operator leaves the fenced area, closes the safety door, adjusts the clamping force of the clamping mechanism through the control cabinet, and controls the flipping robot through the start button on the control cabinet to lift the support mold, pressure pad, composite bulkhead part and bulkhead shell at a uniform speed according to the set program, slowly flip it 180 degrees, and place it on the bulkhead of the composite bulkhead molding tooling, and the mold flipping is completed.

[0017] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0018] (1) The present invention realizes the overall automatic flipping of the composite material and the bulkhead by using the manipulator of the robot, which greatly saves manpower and has high work efficiency and is suitable for mass production.

[0019] (2) The present invention uses a robot to automatically flip the product, so the product is not easily deformed, thereby ensuring the product quality during the process.

[0020] (3) The present invention achieves high positioning accuracy through automatic positioning by a manipulator. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1 It is a structural schematic diagram of the automatic mold turning device for co-curing molding of composite material bulkhead frames of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the front heading surface structure of the composite material bulkhead component of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the rear heading surface structure of the composite material bulkhead component of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the support mold, pressure pad, composite material bulkhead component and bulkhead shell structure of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the clamping assembly of the present invention.

[0026] In the figure: 1. Composite material bulkhead paving tooling; 11. Support mold; 12. Pressure pad; 13. Paving rack; 14. Step ladder; 2. Composite material bulkhead molding tooling; 21. Bulkhead shell; 211. Pin hole; 22. Bulkhead frame; 221. Fixing hole; 3. Flip robot; 31. Fixing seat; 32. Robot; 33. Electrical cabinet; 34. Control cabinet; 35. Manipulator; 4. Composite material bulkhead component; 5. Clamping mechanism; 51. Pressure regulating valve; 52. Clamping assembly; 521. SMC cylinder; 522. Connecting rod; 523. Rocker arm; 524. Sensor; 525. Pressure head; 526. Pull head; 6. Fence; 61. Safety door. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] The following will be combined with the embodiments and drawings to clearly and completely describe the technical solution of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments, and are not intended to limit the present invention in other forms. Any technician familiar with the profession may use the disclosed technical content to make changes or modifications. However, any simple modification, equivalent change and modification made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present invention without departing from the content of the technical solution of the present invention still belongs to the protection scope of the technical solution of the present invention.

[0028] Example 1

[0029] This embodiment is a method for performing mold reshaping using an automated mold reshaping device for co-curing composite bulkheads. The automated mold reshaping device, such as Figures 1 to 5As shown, it includes a composite bulkhead paving tool 1, a composite bulkhead molding tool 2 and a flipping robot 3; the flipping robot 3 flips the composite bulkhead component 4 laid on the composite bulkhead paving tool 1 by 180 degrees as a whole and places it on the composite bulkhead molding tool 2. The composite bulkhead paving tool 1 includes a support mold 11, a pressure pad 12 laid on the support mold 11 and a paving frame 13 for placing the support mold 11, and the composite bulkhead component 4 is laid on the pressure pad 12. The composite bulkhead molding tool 2 includes a bulkhead shell 21 and a bulkhead frame 22, the bulkhead shell 21 is used to buckle on the laid composite bulkhead component 4, and the bulkhead frame 22 is used to place the flipped composite bulkhead component 4. The flipping robot 3 includes a base 31, a robot 32, an electrical cabinet 33 and a control cabinet 34; the base 31 is fixed to the foundation by bolts; the robot 32 is installed on the base 31, and is provided with a manipulator 35 for flipping the composite material bulkhead part 4, and the interface of the manipulator 35 is matched and connected with the interface below the support mold 11; the electrical connection between the electrical cabinet 33 and the robot 32 is used to provide power to the robot 32; the control cabinet 34 is used to control the robot 32 to perform the flipping operation. That is, by using the manipulator of the robot to realize the overall automatic flipping of the composite material and the bulkhead, manpower is greatly saved, and the work efficiency is high, which is suitable for mass production; and the present invention uses the automatic flipping of the manipulator, and the product is not easy to deform, thereby ensuring the product quality in the process; at the same time, the present invention uses the automatic positioning of the manipulator, and its positioning accuracy is high.

[0030] The composite bulkhead co-curing molding automated mold turning device described in this embodiment also includes a clamping mechanism 5, which is used to clamp and fix the support mold 11, the pressure pad 12, the composite bulkhead component 4 and the bulkhead shell 21 to achieve overall turning. Specifically, the clamping mechanism 5 includes a pressure regulating valve 51 and a plurality of clamping assemblies 52; the pressure regulating valve 51 is installed on the control cabinet 34; the clamping assembly 52 is installed on the edge of the support mold 11, and includes an SMC cylinder 521, a connecting rod 522 and a rocker arm 523; the SMC cylinder 521 is used to provide power to the clamping mechanism 5, and is provided with a sensor 524 that cooperates with the pressure regulating valve 51; the connecting rod 522 is used to fix the entire clamping assembly 52 on the support mold 11; the rocker arm 523 is installed at one end of the connecting rod 522, and its structure is in the shape of a "knife", and the upper end of the rocker arm 523 is provided with a pressure head 525 for contacting the bulkhead shell 21, which presses and fixes the bulkhead shell 21, the composite bulkhead component 4 and the pressure pad 12 on the support mold 11; the lower end of the rocker arm 523 is provided with a pull head 526, which is connected to the SMC cylinder 521 to control the lifting and lowering of the rocker arm 523 and the pressure of the pressure head 525.

[0031] In this embodiment, the support mold 11 used should not be too heavy in consideration of the safety of operation and the load capacity of the robot, so it is made of 7075 aviation aluminum plate, which is light and durable. In addition, a step ladder 14 is provided on the laying frame 13 of the composite bulkhead laying tool 1 for operators to stand and lay materials. The surface of the step ladder 14 is paved with a non-slip aluminum plate to further ensure the safety of personnel operation. In this embodiment, the bulkhead shell 21 of the composite bulkhead molding tool 2 is a composite material shell, and a pin hole 211 is provided on its edge for connection with the support mold 11; the bulkhead frame 22 is made of metal material, and its upper shape matches the back of the bulkhead frame shell 21. The support bulkhead frame shell 21 and the composite bulkhead frame 4 thereon are placed on the bulkhead frame 22 after being turned over.

[0032] In order to ensure the cleanliness of the robot operation space and the safety of the operator, a fence 6 is provided in the robot working area, which encloses the composite material partition frame laying tool 1, the composite material partition frame forming tool 2 and the robot 32, but the control cabinet 34 is located outside the fence 6 to facilitate remote control of the flipping operation. Safety doors 61 are provided on the fence 6 at the partition frame 22 and the control cabinet 34 to facilitate the entry and exit of workers.

[0033] The mold turning method of the entire composite material bulkhead co-curing molding automatic mold turning device specifically includes the following steps:

[0034] S1: Laying materials: First, the manipulator 35 of the robot 3 drives the support mold 11 to be placed on the laying frame 13, and then the pressure pad 12 is laid on the support mold 11; the operator stands on the step 14 of the laying frame 13 and lays the materials for making the partition frame on the pressure pad 12 as required;

[0035] S2: Positioning and pressing: After the composite material bulkhead component 4 is laid, the bulkhead shell 21 is buckled on the composite material bulkhead component 4, and is positioned and connected to the support mold 11 through the pin hole 211; then the bulkhead shell 21, the composite material bulkhead component 4 and the pressure pad 12 are pressed on the support mold 11 through the pressing mechanism 5;

[0036] S3: Flipping operation: After the clamping mechanism 5 is clamped and fixed, the operator leaves the fence area, closes the safety door 61, adjusts the clamping force of the clamping mechanism 5 through the control cabinet 34, and controls the flipping robot 3 through the start button on the control cabinet 34 to lift the support mold 11, pressure pad 12, composite bulkhead part 4 and bulkhead shell 21 at a uniform speed according to the set program, slowly flip 180 degrees, and place them on the bulkhead frame 22 of the composite bulkhead molding tool 2, and the mold flipping is completed. After the mold flipping is completed, the manipulator 35 drives the support mold 11 and the pressure pad 12 to return to the paving frame 13 to perform the paving and flipping of the next composite bulkhead 4, with particularly high work efficiency, accurate and reliable positioning, and very good application value.

Claims

1. An automatic mold turning device for composite material bulkhead co-curing molding, characterized in that: It includes a composite material bulkhead paving tool, a composite material bulkhead forming tool and a flipping robot; the flipping robot flips the composite material bulkhead component paved on the composite material bulkhead paving tool by 180 degrees as a whole and then places it on the composite material bulkhead forming tool; The composite bulkhead forming tool comprises a bulkhead shell and a bulkhead frame, wherein the bulkhead shell is used to be buckled on the laid composite bulkhead component, and the bulkhead frame is used to place the flipped composite bulkhead component; The device also includes a pressing mechanism, which is used to press and fix the support mold, the pressure pad, the composite material bulkhead component and the bulkhead shell to achieve overall flipping; The clamping mechanism includes a pressure regulating valve and multiple clamping assemblies; the pressure regulating valve is installed on the control cabinet; the clamping assembly is installed on the edge of the supporting mold, and includes an SMC cylinder, a connecting rod and a rocker arm; the SMC cylinder is used to provide power to the clamping mechanism, and a sensor that cooperates with the pressure regulating valve is arranged therein; the connecting rod is used to fix the entire clamping assembly on the supporting mold; the rocker arm is installed at one end of the connecting rod, and its structure is in the shape of a "knife", and the upper end of the rocker arm is provided with a pressure head for contacting the bulkhead shell, which presses and fixes the bulkhead shell, the composite bulkhead component and the pressure pad on the supporting mold; the lower end of the rocker arm is provided with a pulling head, which is connected to the SMC cylinder to control the lifting and lowering of the rocker arm and the pressure of the pressing head.

2. The automatic mold turning device for composite material bulkhead co-curing molding according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The composite material bulkhead paving tool comprises a supporting mold, a pressure pad paved on the supporting mold and a paving frame for placing the supporting mold, and the composite material bulkhead product is paved on the pressure pad.

3. The automatic mold turning device for composite material bulkhead co-curing molding according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The flipping robot includes a base, a robot, an electrical cabinet and a control cabinet; the base is fixed to the foundation by bolts; the robot is installed on the base, and is provided with a manipulator for flipping the composite material bulkhead parts, and the interface of the manipulator is matched and connected with the interface under the support mold; the electrical connection between the electrical cabinet and the robot is used to provide power to the robot; the control cabinet is used to control the robot to perform flipping operations.

4. The automatic mold turning device for composite material bulkhead co-curing molding according to claim 2 is characterized in that: The support formwork is made of 7075 aviation aluminum plate, and the paving frame is provided with a step ladder for operators to stand and lay materials, and the surface of the step ladder is paved with anti-slip aluminum plate.

5. The automatic mold turning device for composite material bulkhead co-curing molding according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The bulkhead shell is a composite material shell, and its edge is provided with pin holes for connection with the supporting mold; the bulkhead frame is made of metal material, and its upper shape matches the back of the bulkhead shell, and is used to support the bulkhead shell and the composite bulkhead frame thereon.

6. The automatic mold turning device for composite material bulkhead co-curing molding according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The device also includes a fence, which encloses the composite bulkhead frame laying tooling, the composite bulkhead frame molding tooling and the robot. The control cabinet is located outside the fence and remotely controls the flipping operation. The fence is provided with safety doors at the bulkhead frame and the control cabinet for workers to enter and exit easily.

7. An automated mold turning method for composite bulkhead co-curing molding, characterized in that: The automated mold turning is performed by using the device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, and the specific steps include the following: S1: Laying materials: First, the robot's manipulator drives the support mold to be placed on the paving frame, and then a pressure pad is laid on the support mold; the operator stands on the step ladder of the paving frame and lays the materials for making the partition frame on the pressure pad as required; S2: Positioning and pressing: After the composite bulkhead parts are laid, the bulkhead shell is buckled on the composite bulkhead parts and is positioned and connected to the support mold through the pin holes; then the bulkhead shell, the composite bulkhead parts and the pressure pad are pressed on the support mold through the pressing mechanism; S3: Flipping operation: After the clamping mechanism is clamped and fixed, the operator leaves the fenced area, closes the safety door, adjusts the clamping force of the clamping mechanism through the control cabinet, and controls the flipping robot through the start button on the control cabinet to lift the support mold, pressure pad, composite bulkhead part and bulkhead shell at a uniform speed according to the set program, slowly flip it 180 degrees, and place it on the bulkhead of the composite bulkhead molding tooling, and the mold flipping is completed.

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