Modular composite material molding equipment and use method

Abstract

The present application provides a modular composite material forming equipment and a method of use, including at least one press unit, at least one functional unit and at least one process unit; the press unit includes a press body, a mold and an integrated control unit; the mold is arranged on the press body and connected to the press body; the functional unit is connected to the press body and the mold through a first hardware interface, and is connected to the integrated control unit through a first control interface; the process unit is connected to the press body and the mold through a second hardware interface, and is connected to the integrated control unit through a second control interface; each functional unit and each process unit are respectively integrated on their respective corresponding movable transfer platforms. The present application can adapt to the diversified development of composite material production, meet the requirements of composite material forming processes in different occasions and scales, and can quickly and cheaply convert between different process forming equipment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of composite material manufacturing equipment, and in particular to a modular composite material molding device and a method of using the same. Background Art

[0002] Composite materials are widely used in aerospace, military weapons, automobiles, rail transportation, wind power, sports goods and other fields. With the expansion of the application field of composite materials, the composite materials industry has developed rapidly, its molding process has been improved day by day, and new processes have emerged continuously. Large-scale production of composite materials is one of the effective ways to reduce the cost of composite materials application. At present, composite materials molding equipment based on press application mainly adopts a single process module design.

[0003] In recent years, composite material molding equipment equipped with two process modules has also appeared on the market. Due to the specific process, the corresponding products and markets are also limited. If the market expansion of a specific process molding product is limited and orders cannot be sustained, the process molding equipment will be idle; if the market for another specific process molding product is in short supply at this time, the opportunity will be missed due to the inability to achieve low-cost and rapid conversion of different process equipment. For small and medium-sized composite material manufacturing companies with limited production line investment, they can only build composite material molding production lines with a single or limited process, but they cannot adapt to the diversified development of composite material production, and it is also difficult to cope with the ever-changing market.

[0004] In order to solve the problem that composite material molding equipment based on press application has single function and various processes cannot be converted low-cost and quickly, the present application proposes a modular composite material molding equipment and a method of use. Summary of the invention

[0005] The purpose of this application is to provide a modular composite material molding device and a method of use in order to solve the above problems.

[0006] In the first aspect, the present application provides a modular composite material forming equipment, comprising at least one press unit, at least one functional unit and at least one process unit; the press unit comprises a press body, a mold and an integrated control unit; the mold is arranged on the press body and connected to the press body; the functional unit is connected to the press body and the mold through a first hardware interface, and is connected to the integrated control unit through a first control interface; the process unit is connected to the press body and the mold through a second hardware interface, and is connected to the integrated control unit through a second control interface; the integrated control unit is used to centrally control the press body, the functional unit and the process unit; the functional unit is a mold heating module and / or a blank heating module; the process unit is any one or more of a glue injection module, a glue coating module or an injection molding module; each of the functional units and each of the process units are respectively integrated on their respective corresponding movable transfer platforms.

[0007] According to the technical solution provided in certain embodiments of the present application, the press unit also includes an operation panel; the operation panel is electrically connected to the integrated control unit, and is used to send operation instructions to the functional unit and the process unit through the integrated control unit.

[0008] According to the technical solution provided in certain embodiments of the present application, the mold heating module includes a heat-conducting liquid, a constant temperature storage tank, a liquid transmission pipeline and a circulation pump; the heat-conducting liquid is placed in the constant temperature storage tank; the constant temperature storage tank and the circulation pump, the circulation pump and the mold, and the mold and the constant temperature storage tank are all connected through the liquid transmission pipeline.

[0009] According to the technical solution provided in certain embodiments of the present application, the blank heating module includes a heating platform and a conveying device; the conveying device is arranged between the heating platform and the mold, and is used to convey the blank from the heating platform to the mold.

[0010] According to the technical solution provided in certain embodiments of the present application, the glue injection module includes two glue storage tanks for glue injection, a glue mixing tube for glue injection, a high-pressure pump, a glue injection head and a glue injection controller; the two glue storage tanks for glue injection store resin and curing agent respectively; the glue injection controller is used to control the resin and curing agent to enter the glue mixing tube for glue injection according to the process ratio; a glue injection head is provided at one end of the glue mixing tube for glue injection; the glue injection head is connected to the mold at one end away from the glue mixing tube for glue injection.

[0011] According to the technical solution provided in certain embodiments of the present application, the glue coating module includes two glue storage tanks for glue coating, a glue mixing tube for glue coating, a glue coating head, a glue coating platform, a glue coating conveying device, and a glue coating controller; the two glue storage tanks for glue coating store resin and curing agent respectively; the glue coating controller is used to control the resin and curing agent to enter the glue mixing tube for glue coating according to the process ratio; a glue coating head is provided at one end of the glue mixing tube for glue coating; a glue coating platform is provided at the end of the glue coating head away from the glue mixing tube for glue coating; a fiber preform is provided on the glue coating platform; the glue coating conveying device is arranged between the glue coating platform and the mold, and is used to convey the fiber preform from the glue coating platform to the mold.

[0012] According to the technical solution provided in certain embodiments of the present application, the injection molding module includes a feed port, a heating chamber, a screw, an injection port and an injection molding controller; the feed port is connected to the heating chamber; the injection molding controller is used to add thermoplastic raw material particles into the heating chamber through the feed port; a screw is provided in the heating chamber; an injection port is provided at a position on the heating chamber corresponding to the screw; and the injection port is connected to the mold at one end away from the heating chamber.

[0013] In a second aspect, the present application provides a method for using a modular composite material molding device, comprising the following steps:

[0014] At least one functional unit and at least one process unit are configured for at least one press unit; the press unit comprises a press body, a mold and an integrated control unit; the mold is arranged on the press body and connected to the press body; the functional unit is a mold heating module and / or a blank heating module; the process unit is any one of a glue injection module, a glue coating module or an injection molding module;

[0015] Each of the functional units and each of the process units are respectively integrated on their respective corresponding movable transfer platforms;

[0016] Moving the functional unit and the process unit to the vicinity of the corresponding press unit via the corresponding movable transfer platform;

[0017] Connecting the functional unit with the corresponding press body and the mold through a first hardware interface, and connecting the functional unit with the corresponding integrated control unit through a first control interface;

[0018] The process unit is connected to the corresponding press body and the mold via a second hardware interface, and the process unit is connected to the corresponding integrated control unit via a second control interface.

[0019] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present application are as follows: the modular composite material molding equipment can adapt to the diversified development of composite material production, and can meet the requirements of composite material molding processes in different occasions and scales by flexibly configuring the number and types of press units, functional units and process units; by setting a movable transfer platform, a first hardware interface, a second hardware interface, a first control interface and a second control interface, low-cost and rapid conversion between different process molding equipment is facilitated, the operation is simple and convenient, and the problem of high technical transformation cost and long cycle caused by process changes is effectively solved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of a modular composite material molding device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0021] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure of a mold heating module of a modular composite material molding device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0022] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the structure of a blank heating module of a modular composite material forming device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0023] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the structure of a glue injection module of a modular composite material molding device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0024] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the structure of a gluing module of a modular composite material molding device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0025] Figure 6 A schematic structural diagram of an injection molding module of a modular composite material molding device provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0026] The text annotations in the figure represent:

[0027] 10. Press body; 20. Mold; 30. Integrated control unit;

[0028] 40. Mold heating module; 41. Heat transfer liquid; 42. Constant temperature storage tank; 43. Liquid transmission pipeline; 44. Circulation pump;

[0029] 50. Blank heating module; 51. Heating platform; 52. Conveying device;

[0030] 60. Glue injection module; 61. Glue storage tank for glue injection; 62. Glue mixing tube for glue injection; 63. Glue injection head;

[0031] 70. Glue coating module; 71. Glue storage tank for glue coating; 72. Glue mixing tube for glue coating; 73. Glue coating head; 74. Glue coating platform; 75. Glue coating conveying device;

[0032] 80. Injection molding module; 81. Feed port; 82. Heating chamber; 83. Screw; 84. Injection molding port. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] In order to enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solution of the present application, the present application is described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The description in this section is only exemplary and explanatory and should not have any limiting effect on the scope of protection of the present application.

[0034] Please refer to Figure 1 The present application provides a modular composite material forming equipment, comprising at least one press unit, at least one functional unit and at least one process unit; the press unit comprises a press body 10, a mold 20 and an integrated control unit 30; the mold 20 is arranged on the press body 10 and connected to the press body 10; the functional unit is connected to the press body 10 and the mold 20 through a first hardware interface, and is connected to the integrated control unit 30 through a first control interface; the process unit is connected to the press body 10 and the mold 20 through a second hardware interface, and is connected to the integrated control unit 30 through a second control interface; the integrated control unit 30 is used to centrally control the press body 10, the functional unit and the process unit; the functional unit is a mold heating module 40 and / or a blank heating module 50; the mold heating module 4 0 and the blank heating module 50 can be connected to the press body 10 and the mold 20 respectively through their respective first hardware interfaces, and can be connected to the integrated control unit 30 respectively through their respective first control interfaces; the process unit is any one or more of the glue injection module 60, the glue coating module or the injection molding module 80; the glue injection module 60, the glue coating module 70 and the injection molding module 80 can be connected to the press body 10 and the mold 20 respectively through their respective second hardware interfaces, and can be connected to the integrated control unit 30 respectively through their respective second control interfaces; the mold heating module 40, the blank heating module 50, the glue injection module 60, the glue coating module 70 and the injection molding module 80 are respectively integrated on their respective movable transfer platforms, which can be conveniently moved to the side of the press unit for connection as needed when in use.

[0035] The press unit also includes an operation panel; the operation panel is electrically connected to the integrated control unit 30, and the integrated control unit 30 can send information of the functional units and process units connected thereto to the operation panel for display, and the operation panel is used to send operation instructions to the functional units and the process units through the integrated control unit 30, thereby realizing the linkage and centralized control of the press unit, the process unit and the functional unit.

[0036] Please refer to Figure 2 The mold heating module 40 is used for heating and heat preservation of the mold during the composite material molding process, and includes a heat-conducting liquid 41, a constant temperature storage tank 42, a liquid transmission pipeline 43 and a circulation pump 44. The heat-conducting liquid 41 is placed in the constant temperature storage tank 42, which is generally oil or water. The constant temperature storage tank 42, the circulation pump 44 and the mold 20 are connected to each other through the liquid transmission pipeline 43, and the heat-conducting liquid 41 is circulated between the constant temperature storage tank 42 and the mold 20 through the circulation pump 44.

[0037] Please refer to Figure 3 The blank heating module 50 is used for preheating the composite blank, promoting the blank to reach or approach the temperature required by the molding process, and avoiding the blank temperature being too low, which causes the mold temperature to drop sharply, affecting the molding quality and efficiency; the blank heating module 50 includes a heating platform 51 and a conveying device 52; the conveying device 52 is arranged between the heating platform 51 and the mold 20; the heating mode of the heating platform 51 can be resistance heating, infrared heating or microwave heating, etc.; the conveying device 52 is a conveyor belt or a robot arm, which realizes efficient and accurate conveyance of the blank from the heating platform 51 to the mold 20.

[0038] Please refer to Figure 4 The glue injection module 60 includes two glue storage tanks 61 for glue injection, a glue mixing tube 62 for glue injection, a high-pressure pump, a glue injection head 63 and a glue injection controller. The two glue storage tanks 61 for glue injection store resin and curing agent respectively; the glue injection controller is used to control the resin and curing agent to enter the glue mixing tube 62 for glue injection according to the process ratio; a glue injection head 63 is provided at one end of the glue mixing tube 62 for glue injection; the end of the glue injection head 63 away from the glue mixing tube 62 for glue injection is connected to the mold 20, the resin and the curing agent are mixed in the glue mixing tube, and under the action of the high-pressure pump, they are injected into the mold 20 through the glue injection head 63 to realize the molding of the composite material.

[0039] Please refer to Figure 5The glue coating module 70 includes two glue storage tanks 71 for glue coating, a glue mixing tube 72 for glue coating, a glue coating head 73, a glue coating platform 74, a glue coating conveying device 75, and a glue coating controller; the two glue storage tanks 71 for glue coating store resin and curing agent respectively; the glue coating controller is used to control the resin and curing agent to enter the glue mixing tube 72 for glue coating according to the process ratio; a glue coating head 73 is provided at one end of the glue mixing tube 72 for glue coating; a glue coating platform 74 is provided at the end of the glue coating head 73 away from the glue mixing tube 72 for glue coating; a fiber preform is provided on the glue coating platform 74; the resin and the curing agent are mixed in the glue mixing tube 72 for glue coating and then sprayed on the fiber preform through the glue coating head 73; the glue coating conveying device 75 is arranged between the glue coating platform 74 and the mold 20, and is used to convey the sprayed fiber preform from the glue coating platform 74 to the mold 20, so as to prepare for the subsequent wet molding process.

[0040] Please refer to Figure 6 The injection molding module 80 is used for injection molding of thermoplastic materials, and includes a feed port 81, a heating chamber 82, a screw 83, an injection port 84 and an injection molding controller; the feed port 81 is connected to the heating chamber 82; the injection molding controller is used to add thermoplastic raw material particles into the heating chamber 82 through the feed port 81; the thermoplastic raw material particles are melted in the heating chamber 82; a screw 83 is provided in the heating chamber 82; an injection port 84 is provided at a position corresponding to the screw 83 on the heating chamber 82; one end of the injection port 84 away from the heating chamber 82 is connected to the mold 20; under the action of the rotation of the screw 83, the thermoplastic raw material particles are injected into the mold 20 through the injection port 84 to achieve structural molding.

[0041] The modular composite material molding equipment will be specifically described below through specific examples. It should be noted that it will no longer be described in detail that each functional unit is connected to the press body 10 and the mold 20 through its own matching first hardware interface, and is connected to the integrated control unit 30 through its own matching first control interface, and each process unit is connected to the press body 10 and the mold 20 through its own matching second hardware interface, and is connected to the integrated control unit 30 through its own matching second control interface.

[0042] In a preferred embodiment, the modular composite material molding equipment is configured as a set of wet compression molding equipment, including a press unit, a functional unit and a process unit, wherein the functional unit is a mold heating module 40 and the process unit is a glue coating module 70 .

[0043] In a preferred embodiment, the modular composite material molding equipment is configured as a set of HP-RTM molding equipment, including a press unit, a functional unit and a process unit, wherein the functional unit is a mold heating module 40 and the process unit is a glue injection module 60 .

[0044] In a preferred embodiment, the modular composite material molding equipment is configured as a set of injection molding equipment, including a press unit, a functional unit and a process unit, wherein the functional unit is a mold heating module 40 and the process unit is an injection molding module 80 .

[0045] In a preferred embodiment, the modular composite material molding equipment is configured as a set of injection molding equipment, including a press unit, two functional units and a process unit, wherein the two functional units are a mold heating module 40 and a blank heating module 50, and the process unit is an injection molding module 80.

[0046] In the above embodiment, a small-scale production of a specific composite material molding process can be achieved by cooperating a press unit with a functional unit and a process unit.

[0047] In a preferred embodiment, the modular composite material molding equipment includes a press unit, two functional units and three process units. The two functional units are respectively a mold heating module 40 and a blank heating module 50, and the three process units are respectively a glue injection module 60, a glue coating module 70 and an injection molding module 80. By selectively connecting the press unit with different functional units and process units, the equipment requirements of various processes such as wet molding process, HP-RTM process, injection molding process, and compression injection process can be met. The mold heating module 40, the blank heating module 50, the glue injection module 60, the glue coating module 70 and the injection molding module 80 are respectively equipped with corresponding movable transfer platforms, which are convenient for moving to a designated position near the press unit and connecting with it.

[0048] In the above embodiment, by combining a press unit with different functional units and process units, at least two sets of composite material molding equipment with different functions can be configured, which is suitable for composite material process research units and composite material product trial production units; the setting of the movable transfer platform, the first hardware interface, the second hardware interface, the first control interface and the second control interface facilitates low-cost and rapid conversion between different process molding equipment, and the operation is simple and convenient.

[0049] In a preferred embodiment, the modular composite molding equipment is configured as multiple sets of molding equipment with the same function, and the multiple sets of molding equipment can work simultaneously. In addition, an additional set of the same functional units and process units is provided, such as three sets of HP-RTM molding equipment that can work simultaneously, namely, including three press units, three mold heating modules 40 and three injection modules 60, in addition, there is a spare mold heating module 40 and a spare injection module 60.

[0050] In other embodiments of the present application, the modular composite material molding equipment can also be configured as multiple sets of molding equipment with other functions that can work simultaneously, such as injection molding equipment, compression molding equipment, etc. The specific number of sets is determined according to the production scale, and can also be any number of sets other than three sets.

[0051] In the above embodiment, by configuring the same functional units and process units for multiple press units, large-scale production of a specific composite material molding process can be achieved. At the same time, by additionally equipping a set of the same functional units and process units, the losses caused by functional units or process units being shut down for fault repairs and regular maintenance can be effectively avoided. Each functional unit and each process unit is respectively configured with a corresponding movable transfer platform, which is convenient for moving to a designated position near the press unit and connecting thereto. The setting of the movable transfer platform, the first hardware interface, the second hardware interface, the first control interface and the second control interface facilitates low-cost and rapid conversion between the same process units or the same functional units, and the operation is simple and convenient.

[0052] In a preferred embodiment, the modular composite material molding equipment is configured as multiple sets of molding equipment with different functions, and the multiple sets of molding equipment can work simultaneously, for example, including three press units, the first press unit is configured with a mold heating module 40 and a glue coating module 70 to form a set of wet compression molding equipment, the second press unit is configured with a mold heating module 40 and a glue injection module 60 to form a set of HP-RTM molding equipment, and the third press unit is configured with a mold heating module 40 and an injection molding module 80 to form a set of injection molding equipment. The configured wet compression molding equipment, HP-RTM molding equipment and injection molding equipment can work independently.

[0053] In the above embodiment, by configuring multiple sets of molding equipment with different functional units and process units, it is possible to meet different composite material molding process requirements and adapt to the diversified development of composite material production. When the market demand for a specific process molding product increases, while the demand for another specific process molding product decreases sharply, by purchasing the corresponding process modules and functional modules, low-cost and rapid conversion can be achieved, and the production of products with increased market demand can be quickly put into production, which minimizes equipment idleness and flexibly responds to market changes.

[0054] The modular composite material forming equipment provided in the present application can adapt to the diversified development of composite material production. By flexibly, scientifically and economically matching the number and type of press units with functional units and process units, it can meet the requirements of composite material forming processes in different occasions and scales, forming a large-scale and serialized composite material production line, which can minimize the idleness and waste of functional units or process units, and flexibly respond to the rapid changes in the market environment's demand for different process products; by additionally configuring functional units and process units, it can quickly replace the corresponding functional units and process units that have failed in the production line and require regular maintenance, avoiding long-term line stoppages that lead to reduced production capacity, and thus avoiding the company's reduction in output value and profits; by setting a movable transfer platform, a first hardware interface, a second hardware interface, a first control interface and a second control interface, it is convenient to facilitate low-cost and rapid conversion between different process forming equipment, and the operation is simple and convenient, which effectively solves the problem of high technical transformation costs and long cycles caused by process changes.

[0055] This article uses specific examples to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of this application. The description of the above embodiments is only used to help understand the method and its core ideas of this application. The above is only the preferred implementation method of this application. It should be pointed out that due to the limitations of textual expression and the objective existence of infinite specific structures, ordinary technicians in this technical field can make several improvements, modifications or changes without departing from the principles of the present invention, and can also combine the above technical features in an appropriate manner; these improvements, modifications, changes or combinations, or the direct application of the inventive concept and technical solution to other occasions without improvement, should be regarded as the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A modular composite material molding device, characterized in that: include: at least one press unit, at least one functional unit and at least one process unit; The press unit comprises a press body, a mold and an integrated control unit; the mold is arranged on the press body and connected to the press body; The functional unit is connected to the press body and the mold via a first hardware interface, and is connected to the integrated control unit via a first control interface; The process unit is connected to the press body and the mold via a second hardware interface, and is connected to the integrated control unit via a second control interface; The integrated control unit is used to centrally control the press body, the functional unit and the process unit; The functional unit is a mold heating module and / or a blank heating module; The process unit is any one or more of a glue injection module, a glue coating module or an injection molding module; Each of the functional units and each of the process units are respectively integrated on their respective corresponding movable transfer platforms; The blank heating module comprises a heating platform and a conveying device; the conveying device is arranged between the heating platform and the mold, and is used to convey the blank from the heating platform to the mold; The heating mode of the heating platform is resistance heating, infrared heating or microwave heating.

2. A modular composite material molding device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The press unit further comprises an operation panel; the operation panel is electrically connected to the integrated control unit and is used for sending operation instructions to the functional unit and the process unit through the integrated control unit.

3. The modular composite material molding equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The mold heating module includes a heat-conducting liquid, a constant temperature storage tank, a liquid transmission pipeline and a circulation pump; the heat-conducting liquid is placed in the constant temperature storage tank; the constant temperature storage tank and the circulation pump, the circulation pump and the mold, and the mold and the constant temperature storage tank are all connected through the liquid transmission pipeline.

4. The modular composite material molding equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The glue injection module includes two glue storage tanks for glue injection, a glue mixing tube for glue injection, a high-pressure pump, a glue injection head and a glue injection controller; the two glue storage tanks for glue injection store resin and curing agent respectively; the glue injection controller is used to control the resin and curing agent to enter the glue mixing tube for glue injection according to the process ratio; a glue injection head is provided at one end of the glue mixing tube for glue injection; the glue injection head is connected to the mold at one end away from the glue mixing tube for glue injection.

5. The modular composite material molding equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The glue coating module includes two glue storage tanks for glue coating, a glue mixing tube for glue coating, a glue coating head, a glue coating platform, a glue coating conveying device, and a glue coating controller; the two glue storage tanks for glue coating store resin and curing agent respectively; the glue coating controller is used to control the resin and curing agent to enter the glue mixing tube for glue coating according to the process ratio; a glue coating head is provided at one end of the glue mixing tube for glue coating; a glue coating platform is provided at the end of the glue coating head away from the glue mixing tube for glue coating; a fiber preform is provided on the glue coating platform; the glue coating conveying device is arranged between the glue coating platform and the mold, and is used to convey the fiber preform from the glue coating platform to the mold.

6. The modular composite material molding equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The injection molding module includes a feed port, a heating chamber, a screw, an injection port and an injection molding controller; the feed port is connected to the heating chamber; the injection molding controller is used to add thermoplastic raw material particles into the heating chamber through the feed port; a screw is provided in the heating chamber; an injection port is provided at a position on the heating chamber corresponding to the screw; and the injection port is connected to the mold at one end away from the heating chamber.

7. A method for using the modular composite material molding equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The method comprises the following steps: At least one functional unit and at least one process unit are configured for at least one press unit; the press unit comprises a press body, a mold and an integrated control unit; the mold is arranged on the press body and connected to the press body; the functional unit is a mold heating module and / or a blank heating module; the process unit is any one of a glue injection module, a glue coating module or an injection molding module; Each of the functional units and each of the process units are respectively integrated on their respective corresponding movable transfer platforms; Moving the functional unit and the process unit to the vicinity of the corresponding press unit via the corresponding movable transfer platform; Connecting the functional unit with the corresponding press body and the mold through a first hardware interface, and connecting the functional unit with the corresponding integrated control unit through a first control interface; The process unit is connected to the corresponding press body and the mold via a second hardware interface, and the process unit is connected to the corresponding integrated control unit via a second control interface.

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