A pressing apparatus and method for carbon fiber prepreg

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of carbon fiber technology, and particularly to a pressing apparatus and method for carbon fiber prepreg. In this apparatus, a first suction cup and a first peeling mechanism are provided at the end of a robotic arm. The first suction cup is used to adsorb the release paper of the carbon fiber prepreg; a laying table is used to place the finished prepreg to be pressed; the robotic arm is used to transfer the carbon fiber prepreg (with the polyethylene film removed) to the laying table and to detach the first suction cup from the release paper of the carbon fiber prepreg; a pressure roller can move vertically and horizontally relative to the laying table to press the finished prepreg and the carbon fiber prepreg (with the polyethylene film removed); after the pressing operation is completed, the first peeling mechanism is used to peel off the release paper of the carbon fiber prepreg under the action of the robotic arm. This solution can improve the pressing efficiency of carbon fiber prepreg.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of carbon fiber technology, and in particular to a pressing apparatus and method for carbon fiber prepreg. Background Technology

[0002] Carbon fiber prepreg is an intermediate material used in the production of carbon fiber composites, formed by pre-bonding resin with carbon fibers before curing and maintaining a certain shelf life. A typical composition of carbon fiber prepreg is: a layer of release paper (white) at the bottom, a layer of finished prepreg (black) in the middle, and a layer of polyethylene film (blue) covering the surface.

[0003] To obtain high-strength and highly corrosion-resistant carbon fiber composites, multilayer carbon fiber prepregs need to be laid and molded during the storage period. In related technologies, the release paper and polyethylene film are typically peeled off manually, and then the multilayer prepregs are pressed together. However, this method has low pressing efficiency.

[0004] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a pressing device and method for carbon fiber prepreg to solve the above-mentioned technical problems. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This invention provides a pressing device and method for carbon fiber prepreg, which can improve the pressing efficiency of carbon fiber prepreg.

[0006] In a first aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide a pressing apparatus for carbon fiber prepreg, the carbon fiber prepreg comprising release paper, finished prepreg adhered to the release paper, and a polyethylene film adhered to the finished prepreg, including:

[0007] The robotic arm is equipped with a first suction cup and a first peeling mechanism at its end. The first suction cup is used to adsorb the release paper of the carbon fiber prepreg.

[0008] A laying table is used to place the finished prepreg to be pressed. The robotic arm is used to transfer the carbon fiber prepreg with the polyethylene film peeled off to the laying table and to detach the first suction cup from the release paper of the carbon fiber prepreg.

[0009] The pressure roller can move up and down and horizontally relative to the laying table to press the finished prepreg and the carbon fiber prepreg with the polyethylene film peeled off.

[0010] After the pressing operation is completed, the first peeling mechanism is used to peel off the release paper of the carbon fiber prepreg under the drive of the robotic arm.

[0011] One possible design also includes:

[0012] An auxiliary mechanism is movable horizontally relative to the laying table. The auxiliary mechanism is equipped with a second suction cup. After the first suction cup is separated from the release paper of the carbon fiber prepreg, the second suction cup is used to adsorb the release paper of the carbon fiber prepreg.

[0013] During the pressing operation, the pressure roller and the auxiliary mechanism move horizontally in sync to cooperate in completing the pressing operation.

[0014] In one possible design, the suction force of the second suction cup is less than that of the first suction cup.

[0015] In one possible design, the first suction cup includes a plurality of spaced-apart first strip suction cups, and the second suction cup includes a plurality of spaced-apart second strip suction cups. The first and second strip suction cups can intersect each other to complete the adsorption and transfer of the carbon fiber prepreg with the polyethylene film peeled off.

[0016] In one possible design, the height of each of the second strip suction cups gradually increases along the direction of movement.

[0017] One possible design also includes:

[0018] The first positioning platform is provided with multiple fixed first blocks and multiple movable second blocks, and all the first blocks and all the second blocks form the positioning space of the carbon fiber prepreg.

[0019] In one possible design, at least two of the second blocks move along the diagonal direction of the carbon fiber prepreg, and the two second blocks are used to abut against the edges of two adjacent carbon fiber prepregs.

[0020] One possible design also includes:

[0021] The second positioning platform is used to place the carbon fiber prepreg that is adsorbed from the first positioning platform by the robotic arm;

[0022] The end of the robotic arm is also equipped with a first vision sensor, which is used to detect the position of the carbon fiber prepreg on the second positioning platform, so as to instruct the robotic arm to correct the position of the carbon fiber prepreg.

[0023] Secondly, embodiments of the present invention provide a pressing method for carbon fiber prepreg, applied to the pressing apparatus for carbon fiber prepreg described in any of the above embodiments, comprising:

[0024] The first suction cup is used to adsorb the release paper of the carbon fiber prepreg;

[0025] The robotic arm is used to transfer the carbon fiber prepreg with the polyethylene film removed to the laying table, and the first suction cup is detached from the release paper of the carbon fiber prepreg.

[0026] The pressure rollers are used to press the finished prepreg to be pressed and the carbon fiber prepreg with the polyethylene film peeled off.

[0027] After the pressing operation is completed, the release paper of the carbon fiber prepreg is peeled off by the first peeling mechanism under the drive of the robotic arm.

[0028] Thirdly, embodiments of the present invention provide a molding system for carbon fiber composite materials, including a pressing device for carbon fiber prepreg as described in any of the above embodiments.

[0029] This invention provides a pressing device and method for carbon fiber prepreg. By setting up structures such as a robotic arm, a laying table, and pressure rollers, the release paper and polyethylene film of the carbon fiber prepreg can be peeled off, thereby enabling the pressing of the carbon fiber prepreg and improving the pressing efficiency of the carbon fiber prepreg. Attached Figure Description

[0030] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0031] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a carbon fiber composite material molding system provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A partially enlarged view of the molding system for the carbon fiber composite material shown.

[0033] Figure 3 This is a partial structural schematic diagram of a carbon fiber prepreg pressing device provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 4 This is a partial structural schematic diagram of a carbon fiber prepreg laying device provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 5 This is a flowchart of a carbon fiber prepreg pressing method provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Figure label:

[0037] 10 - Carbon fiber prepreg; 1 - Robotic arm;

[0038] 11-First suction cup;

[0039] 111 - First strip suction cup;

[0040] 12-First stripping mechanism;

[0041] 121 - First rubber wheel;

[0042] 122 - First clamp;

[0043] 13-First vision sensor; 2-Second peeling mechanism;

[0044] 21-Second rubber wheel;

[0045] 22-Second clamp;

[0046] 31-Painting table;

[0047] 32 - Pressure roller;

[0048] 33 - Vacuum pumping device;

[0049] 34 - Waste bin; 4 - Stripping detection device;

[0050] 41-Light source;

[0051] 42 - Second visual sensor;

[0052] 51-Conveying device;

[0053] 52-Mobile gripping mechanism; 6-First positioning station;

[0054] 61-First stop;

[0055] 62 - Second stop;

[0056] 7-Second positioning stage;

[0057] 8-Auxiliary mechanisms;

[0058] 81-Second suction cup; 811-Second strip suction cup. Detailed Implementation

[0059] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are some embodiments of the present invention, but not all embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0060] like Figures 1 to 4As shown, one embodiment of the present invention provides a pressing apparatus for carbon fiber prepreg. The carbon fiber prepreg 10 includes release paper, finished prepreg adhered to the release paper, and a polyethylene film adhered to the finished prepreg (the structure of the carbon fiber prepreg 10 is well known to those skilled in the art and is therefore not shown in the drawings). The pressing apparatus includes:

[0061] The robotic arm 1 is equipped with a first suction cup 11 and a first peeling mechanism 12 at its end. The first suction cup 11 is used to adsorb the release paper of the carbon fiber prepreg 10.

[0062] The laying table 31 is used to place the finished prepreg to be pressed. The robotic arm 1 is used to transfer the carbon fiber prepreg 10 with the polyethylene film peeled off to the laying table 31 and to separate the first suction cup 11 from the release paper of the carbon fiber prepreg 10.

[0063] The pressure roller 32 can move up and down and horizontally relative to the laying table 31 to press the finished prepreg to be pressed and the carbon fiber prepreg 10 with the polyethylene film peeled off.

[0064] After the pressing operation is completed, the first peeling mechanism 12 is used to peel off the release paper of the carbon fiber prepreg 10 under the drive of the robotic arm 1.

[0065] In this embodiment, by setting up structures such as robotic arm 1, laying table 31 and pressure roller 32, the release paper and polyethylene film of carbon fiber prepreg 10 can be peeled off, thereby enabling the carbon fiber prepreg 10 to be pressed, which can improve the pressing efficiency of carbon fiber prepreg 10.

[0066] It should be noted that robotic arm 1 is a six-axis robotic arm. Therefore, by using robotic arm 1, actions such as the transfer of carbon fiber prepreg 10 and the peeling of polyethylene film and release paper can be achieved.

[0067] The first suction cup 11 uses the principle of negative pressure. In order to avoid damage to the carbon fiber prepreg 10 during the adsorption process, the first suction cup 11 needs to adsorb the release paper. This is because the hardness of the release paper is much higher than that of the polyethylene film.

[0068] The laying table 31 is pre-positioned with a frame to hold the finished prepregs. This helps to ensure that the edges of multiple finished prepregs are not damaged during the pressing process, and also facilitates subsequent gripping and transportation.

[0069] The pressure roller 32 can move up and down and horizontally relative to the laying table 31 by means of a motor or cylinder, etc., without specific limitations.

[0070] In one embodiment of the present invention, the pressing device further includes:

[0071] The auxiliary mechanism 8 can move horizontally relative to the laying table 31. The auxiliary mechanism 8 is provided with a second suction cup 81. After the first suction cup 11 separates from the release paper of the carbon fiber prepreg 10, the second suction cup 81 is used to adsorb the release paper of the carbon fiber prepreg 10.

[0072] During the pressing operation, the pressure roller 32 and the auxiliary mechanism 8 move horizontally in sync to complete the pressing operation.

[0073] In this embodiment, by providing an auxiliary mechanism 8, the pressure roller 32 can move horizontally synchronously during the pressing operation to facilitate the completion of the pressing operation. That is, the effect of pressing while removing is achieved.

[0074] It is known that the auxiliary mechanism 8 can be moved by a motor or a cylinder, without being specifically limited here.

[0075] In one embodiment of the present invention, the suction force of the second suction cup 81 is less than that of the first suction cup 11, which facilitates the pressing of the carbon fiber prepreg 10.

[0076] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first suction cup 11 includes a plurality of mutually spaced first strip-shaped suction cups 111, and the second suction cup 81 includes a plurality of mutually spaced second strip-shaped suction cups 811. The first strip-shaped suction cups 111 and the second strip-shaped suction cups 811 can intersect each other to complete the adsorption of the carbon fiber prepreg 10 with the polyethylene film removed. This configuration allows for the rapid adsorption and transfer of the carbon fiber prepreg 10 with the polyethylene film removed.

[0077] In one embodiment of the present invention, the height of each second strip-shaped suction cup 811 gradually increases along the direction of movement, which can ensure that the pressure roller 32 has a better pressing effect on the carbon fiber prepreg 10.

[0078] In other words, by using the combination of pressure roller 32 and auxiliary mechanism 8 to simulate manual pressing, automated pressing is achieved, which greatly improves the molding efficiency of carbon fiber composite materials.

[0079] In one embodiment of the present invention, the pressing device further includes:

[0080] The first positioning platform 6 is provided with multiple fixed first blocks 61 and multiple movable second blocks 62, and all the first blocks 61 and all the second blocks 62 form the positioning space of the carbon fiber prepreg 10.

[0081] In this embodiment, considering that the carbon fiber prepreg 10 may have different sizes, by setting multiple fixed first blocks 61 and multiple movable second blocks 62 on the first positioning stage 6, the positioning space of the carbon fiber prepreg 10 can be changed by changing the position of the second blocks 62.

[0082] It is known that the second stop 62 can be moved by a motor or a cylinder, without being specifically limited here.

[0083] In one embodiment of the present invention, at least two second stops move along the diagonal direction of the carbon fiber prepreg 10, and the two second stops are used to abut against the edges of two adjacent carbon fiber prepregs 10. This arrangement allows for convenient and rapid modification of the positioning space of the carbon fiber prepreg 10.

[0084] In one embodiment of the present invention, the pressing device further includes:

[0085] The second positioning stage 7 is used to place the carbon fiber prepreg 10 that is adsorbed from the first positioning stage 6 by the robotic arm 1.

[0086] The end of the robotic arm 1 is also equipped with a first vision sensor 13, which is used to detect the position of the carbon fiber prepreg 10 located on the second positioning stage 7, so as to instruct the robotic arm 1 to correct the position of the carbon fiber prepreg 10.

[0087] In this embodiment, by setting the first positioning stage 6, the position of the carbon fiber prepreg 10 on the second positioning stage 7 is more accurate; by setting the first vision sensor 13 at the end of the robotic arm 1, the position of the carbon fiber prepreg 10 on the second positioning stage 7 can be further ensured to be accurate. Therefore, only when the position of the carbon fiber prepreg 10 on the second positioning stage 7 is accurate can the success rate of subsequent peeling of the polyethylene film and release paper be further guaranteed.

[0088] Furthermore, embodiments of the present invention also provide a molding system for carbon fiber composite materials, including the carbon fiber prepreg pressing device mentioned in any of the above embodiments.

[0089] It is understood that the system embodiments provided in this invention and the above-described device embodiments belong to the same inventive concept, and therefore have the same beneficial effects, which will not be elaborated here.

[0090] In one embodiment of the present invention, the molding system further includes a carbon fiber prepreg laying device, which includes a second peeling mechanism 2 for peeling the polyethylene film from the carbon fiber prepreg 10 adsorbed by the first suction cup 11.

[0091] In one embodiment of the present invention, the second peeling mechanism 2 includes:

[0092] The second rubber wheel 21 is located at the top corner below the second positioning platform. Under the drive of the robotic arm 1, the polyethylene film of the carbon fiber prepreg 10 comes into contact with the second rubber wheel 21 to peel off part of the polyethylene film from the carbon fiber prepreg 10.

[0093] The second clamp 22 is used to hold a portion of the polyethylene film peeled off from the carbon fiber prepreg 10, so that the entire polyethylene film can be peeled off from the carbon fiber prepreg 10 under the action of the robotic arm 1.

[0094] In this embodiment, the entire polyethylene film can be peeled off from the carbon fiber prepreg 10 through the cooperation of the second rubber wheel 21, the second clamp 22 and the robotic arm 1.

[0095] It is known that the second clamp 22 can be opened and closed by means of a motor or cylinder, without being specifically limited here.

[0096] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first peeling mechanism 12 includes:

[0097] The first rubber roller 121 is used to contact the release paper in the carbon fiber prepreg 10 located on the laying table 31 under the drive of the robotic arm 1, so as to peel part of the release paper off the carbon fiber prepreg 10.

[0098] The first clamp 122 is used to hold a portion of the release paper peeled off from the carbon fiber prepreg 10, so that the entire release paper can be peeled off from the carbon fiber prepreg 10 under the action of the robotic arm 1.

[0099] In this embodiment, the first rubber wheel 121, the first clamp 122 and the robotic arm 1 work together to peel all the release paper off the carbon fiber prepreg 10.

[0100] It is known that the first clamp 122 can be opened and closed by means of a motor or cylinder, without being specifically limited here.

[0101] In one embodiment of the present invention, the molding system further includes:

[0102] Vacuum pumping device 33 is used to evacuate carbon fiber composite materials.

[0103] Waste bin 34 is used to receive the peeled polyethylene film and release paper.

[0104] In this embodiment, after the pressing operation is completed, there will inevitably be residual gas between the finished prepregs. Therefore, by using the vacuum pumping device 33 to vacuum the carbon fiber composite material, these residual gases can be expelled to ensure the strength of the carbon fiber composite material.

[0105] In one embodiment of the present invention, the molding system further includes:

[0106] The peeling detection device 4 is equipped with a light source 41 and a second vision sensor 42. The second vision sensor 42 is used to detect whether the second peeling mechanism 2 has completely peeled the polyethylene film from the carbon fiber prepreg 10. The light source 41 is used to provide light to the carbon fiber prepreg 10.

[0107] In this embodiment, by setting a peel detection device 4, it is possible to detect whether the polyethylene film has been completely peeled from the carbon fiber prepreg 10, so as to ensure the molding quality of the subsequent carbon fiber composite material. The light source 41 can assist the second vision sensor 42 in visual detection.

[0108] Understandably, the processing chip in the peel detection device 4 stores the program code of the visual detection algorithm. The second visual sensor 42 transmits the captured image back to the processing chip to detect whether the polyethylene film has been completely peeled from the carbon fiber prepreg 10. The specific visual detection algorithm will not be described in detail here.

[0109] In one embodiment of the present invention, the molding system further includes:

[0110] Conveying device 51 is used to convey carbon fiber composite material after vacuuming;

[0111] The mobile gripping mechanism 52 is located above the laying table 31, the vacuum device 33 and the conveying device 51, and is used to grip the carbon fiber composite material and transfer it from the laying table 31 to the vacuum device 33 and the conveying device 51 in sequence.

[0112] In this embodiment, by setting up a conveying device 51 and a moving gripping mechanism 52, the conveying and transfer of carbon fiber composite materials can be realized to achieve automated processing.

[0113] like Figure 5 As shown, this embodiment of the invention provides a pressing method for carbon fiber prepreg, applied to the carbon fiber prepreg pressing apparatus mentioned in any of the above embodiments. The pressing method includes:

[0114] Step C1: Use the first suction cup 11 to adsorb the release paper of the carbon fiber prepreg 10;

[0115] Step C2: Use robotic arm 1 to transfer the carbon fiber prepreg 10 with the polyethylene film peeled off to the laying table 31, and detach the first suction cup 11 from the release paper of the carbon fiber prepreg 10.

[0116] Step C3: Press the finished prepreg to be pressed and the carbon fiber prepreg 10 with the polyethylene film peeled off using the pressure roller 32.

[0117] Step C4: After the pressing operation is completed, the release paper of the carbon fiber prepreg 10 is peeled off by the first peeling mechanism 12 under the drive of the robotic arm 1.

[0118] It is understood that the method embodiments provided in this invention and the above-described device embodiments belong to the same inventive concept, and therefore have the same beneficial effects, which will not be elaborated here.

[0119] It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes said element.

[0120] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and not to limit them; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A pressing device for carbon fiber prepreg, the carbon fiber prepreg comprising a release paper, a finished prepreg attached to the release paper, and a polyethylene film attached to the finished prepreg, characterized by, The application relates to a carbon fiber prepreg pressing device. The device comprises: a mechanical arm, the end of which is provided with a first suction disc and a first stripping mechanism, the first suction disc being used for adsorbing release paper of carbon fiber prepreg; a laying table, which is used for placing finished product prepreg to be pressed, and the mechanical arm is used for transferring carbon fiber prepreg with polyethylene film stripped to the laying table and separating the first suction disc from the release paper of the carbon fiber prepreg; a pressing roller, which can move up and down and horizontally relative to the laying table, so as to press the finished product prepreg to be pressed and the carbon fiber prepreg with polyethylene film stripped; after the pressing operation is completed, the first stripping mechanism is used for stripping the release paper of the carbon fiber prepreg under the driving of the mechanical arm; The device further comprises: an auxiliary mechanism, which can move horizontally relative to the laying table, and the auxiliary mechanism is provided with a second suction disc, which is used for adsorbing the release paper of the carbon fiber prepreg after the first suction disc is separated from the release paper of the carbon fiber prepreg; during the pressing operation, the pressing roller and the auxiliary mechanism are synchronously moved horizontally, so as to cooperate to complete the pressing operation and realize edge withdrawal and pressing; the suction force of the second suction disc is smaller than that of the first suction disc; the first suction disc comprises a plurality of first strip-shaped suction discs which are spaced from each other, the second suction disc comprises a plurality of second strip-shaped suction discs which are spaced from each other, and the first strip-shaped suction disc and the second strip-shaped suction disc can cross each other, so as to complete adsorption and transfer of the carbon fiber prepreg with polyethylene film stripped; 2. The carbon fiber prepreg pressing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by the height of each second strip-shaped suction disc gradually increases along the movement direction, so as to ensure that the pressing roller presses the carbon fiber prepreg. The device further comprises:

3. The carbon fiber prepreg lamination apparatus of claim 2, wherein, a first positioning table, which is provided with a plurality of fixed first stoppers and a plurality of movable second stoppers, and all the first stoppers and all the second stoppers form a positioning space of the carbon fiber prepreg.

4. The carbon fiber prepreg lamination apparatus of claim 2, wherein, At least two second stoppers move along the diagonal direction of the carbon fiber prepreg, and the two second stoppers are used for abutting against the edges of two adjacent carbon fiber preps. The device further comprises: a second positioning table, which is used for placing the carbon fiber prepreg adsorbed from the first positioning table by the mechanical arm; 5. A method of pressing a carbon fiber prepreg, characterized by, the end of the mechanical arm is further provided with a first visual sensor, which is used for detecting the position of the carbon fiber prepreg on the second positioning table, so as to indicate that the mechanical arm corrects the position of the carbon fiber prepreg. The application is applied to the carbon fiber prepreg pressing device in any one of claims 1-4, and comprises: adsorbing the release paper of the carbon fiber prepreg by using the first suction disc; transferring the carbon fiber prepreg with polyethylene film stripped to the laying table by using the mechanical arm, and separating the first suction disc from the release paper of the carbon fiber prepreg; pressing the finished product prepreg to be pressed and the carbon fiber prepreg with polyethylene film stripped by using the pressing roller; 6. A molding system of carbon fiber composite material, characterized by, after the pressing operation is completed, stripping the release paper of the carbon fiber prepreg by using the first stripping mechanism under the driving of the mechanical arm. The application relates to a carbon fiber prepreg pressing device. The device comprises the carbon fiber prepreg pressing device in any one of claims 1-4.

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