Fiber layup machine and method for producing fiber layup

Abstract

The invention relates to a fibre placement machine (2) for producing fibre plies, comprising a tool table (23) for positioning a forming tool (12), which tool table (23) can be moved linearly in the x-direction by means of an x-carriage (21) and can be rotated about a vertical axis of rotation (25). A fiber placement head (26) is arranged above the mold table (23) and can be linearly moved transversely to the x direction by means of a y carriage (28). The fiber laying head (26) can move linearly, so that the mold table (23) can be simply mounted on the rack (15), and the fiber laying layer can be quickly and efficiently manufactured. In particular, the automatic loading and unloading of the mold table (23) are simple and easy.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a fiber placement machine for producing a fiber layup according to the preamble of claim 1. The invention also relates to a method for producing a fiber layup. Background Art

[0002] WO2009 / 042225A2 discloses a fiber placement machine for manufacturing fiber layers. The fiber placement machine has a three-axis worktable, which can rotate around a vertical rotation axis relative to a fiber placement head and can move linearly in two directions. A vacuum table as a smooth mold surface is provided on the three-axis worktable. The fiber placement head is fixedly arranged on a frame above the vacuum table and has a guide rail for a fiber tape, which can be displaced vertically by a linear actuator to feed the fiber tape to the mold surface. Summary of the invention

[0003] The invention is based on the object of providing a fiber placement machine which is able to produce fiber layups in a simple, flexible and efficient manner.

[0004] This object is achieved by a fiber placement machine having the features of claim 1. Since the placement head can be moved linearly in the horizontal Y direction above the mold table by means of a y-slide, the mold table only has to be moved linearly in the x-direction extending transversely or perpendicularly to the y-direction to produce the fiber ply and can be rotated about a vertically extending rotation axis so that fiber plies with any fiber orientation can be produced. This axis arrangement allows simple positioning of the mold table including the forming mold placed thereon. This involves rapid loading and unloading so that the fiber placement machine has a high productivity. In particular, the movement of the mold table only in the x-direction allows simple and rapid automatic loading and unloading. Since the placement head can only be moved linearly, i.e. the placement head does not have a vertically extending rotation axis, the fibers are not twisted during the supply and transportation process, so that the fibers to be placed can be fed to the placement head simply and quickly.

[0005] The x-slide, y-slide, laying head and / or fiber supply unit are preferably arranged on the frame. In order to feed the laying head to the mold table or the forming mold arranged thereon, the laying head is preferably movable linearly in the vertical z direction. The x-slide is preferably movable linearly from the loading side to the unloading side for automatic loading and unloading of the mold table. In addition, the mold table arranged on the x-slide can be rotated about the rotation axis or z-axis and is configured as a c-axis. The laying head is preferably replaceable.

[0006] The fiber placement machine according to claim 2 ensures efficient production of fiber layers. Since the x-slide can be moved linearly from the loading side of the frame to the unloading side of the frame, the mold table can be automatically loaded and unloaded. For this purpose, the mold table is particularly equipped with a support, which clamps the forming mold holder with the forming mold for fiber placement by means of a zero-position clamping system or a zero-position clamp for the purpose of fiber placement. In particular, the fiber placement machine can be loaded and / or unloaded with the forming mold or the forming mold holder together with the forming mold arranged thereon at the same time as the main time, that is, during the fiber placement. While the forming mold arranged on the mold table is still laying the fiber, the forming mold to be laid is, on the one hand, ready for loading the mold table. On the other hand, the finished forming mold is unloaded from the mold table and is ready for further unloading from the fiber placement machine, wherein the mold table is ready for use or put into use for the production of another fiber layer independently of the further unloading of the finished forming mold for laying the fiber. Therefore, the fiber placement machine has a loading and unloading area at the end along its x-axis and an area for dumping the fibers in between, that is, below the y-axis. The frame preferably has a machine base, which extends in the x-direction and the y-direction and on which the x-slide can be linearly displaced or the x-guide rail is arranged. The loading side and the unloading side are preferably arranged on opposite sides relative to the mold table.

[0007] The fiber placement machine according to claim 3 ensures efficient production of fiber layers. Since the mold table has a plurality of clamping units, the forming mold frame together with the forming mold arranged thereon can be clamped and released simply and quickly for loading and / or unloading the mold table. The clamping units mechanically clamp the forming mold frame and are designed, for example, in the form of zero-position clamps. The clamping units can be electromechanically, hydraulically or pneumatically actuated.

[0008] The fiber placement machine according to claim 4 ensures simple and fast loading and / or unloading of the mold table. Preferably, the first mold frame handling unit is arranged on the loading side of the frame and the second mold frame handling unit is arranged on the unloading side of the frame. The at least one mold frame handling unit is designed in particular as a mold frame lifting unit, which allows the molding mold frame to be lifted and lowered in the z direction. For the automatic loading of the mold table, the first mold frame handling unit prepares the molding mold frame together with the molding mold to be laid in the raised position. The unloaded mold table is moved in the x direction to the loading side and passes under the prepared molding mold frame. Subsequently, the molding mold frame is lowered by the first mold frame handling unit and the molding mold frame is clamped, for example, by means of a clamping unit. The loaded mold table is now moved in the x direction to the laying head and the molding mold arranged on the molding mold frame is laid. If the laying of the fibers is completed, the mold table is moved in the x direction to the unloading side. There, the second mold frame handling unit is in the lowered position. For unloading, the molding mold frame is disengaged from the mold table, for example, by means of a clamping unit. Since the forming mold carrier is moved by means of the mold table by the second mold carrier handling unit, the forming mold carrier is unloaded by the second mold carrier handling unit from the lowered position into the raised position. The empty mold table can now be moved back to the loading side, where the first mold carrier handling unit feeds another forming mold carrier. The second mold carrier handling unit can be unloaded in parallel with the loading of the mold table, so that the second mold carrier handling unit is ready for the next unloading of the mold table.

[0009] The fiber placement machine according to claim 5 ensures simple and efficient production of fiber plies. The crossbeam ensures a simple movement of the fiber placement head in the y-direction without affecting the movement of the mold table. For this purpose, a corresponding passage opening for the mold table is especially formed below the at least one crossbeam, so that it can be moved from the loading side to the unloading side in the x-direction. The at least one crossbeam is preferably connected to the base of the frame at both ends. As a result, the at least one crossbeam has a high mechanical rigidity, so that a high fiber placement speed and thus a high productivity in the production of fiber plies can be obtained in a simple manner.

[0010] The fiber placement machine according to claim 6 ensures simple and efficient production of fiber layers. The Y carriage is movably mounted on two crossbeams, so that the fiber placement head is arranged between these crossbeams. As a result, forces acting on the fiber placement head can be transmitted to the frame without the frame being deformed. The two crossbeams are preferably mounted at their respective ends with longitudinal struts on the base of the frame. This allows simple and fast fiber placement.

[0011] The fiber placement machine according to claim 7 allows a simple and fast feeding of the placement head to the respective forming mold and a particularly flexible production of three-dimensional fiber plies. The placement head can be moved in the z direction by means of a z carriage, in particular by at least 200 mm, in particular by at least 400 mm, in particular by at least 600 mm. In order to produce a three-dimensional fiber ply, the control unit is designed in such a way that the placement head is not only movable in the z direction for its feeding, but can also be moved during the fiber placement process, so that the three-dimensional, i.e. non-planar, mold surface of the forming mold can be placed with fibers. The placement head can be moved within its stroke during the fiber placement process, in particular by at least 50 mm, in particular by at least 100 mm, in particular by at least 150 mm in the z direction. The placement head is preferably mounted on the z carriage in a replaceable manner. As a result, the availability of the fiber placement machine and thus its flexibility and productivity are increased. The placement head can additionally be rotated about an axis of rotation extending parallel to the x direction, so that an a-axis is formed at the location where the placement head is mounted. The fiber ply can thus have a larger dimension in the z direction, i.e. a larger curvature.

[0012] The fiber placement machine according to claim 8 ensures fast and efficient production of fiber layers. The placement head moves unidirectionally in the y direction during fiber placement. Since the at least one deflection member and the at least one fiber bobbin magazine are arranged opposite to each other relative to the placement head, the fibers to be placed are drawn out from the at least one fiber bobbin magazine at the initial position of the placement head or the initial position of the y carriage for the subsequent fiber placement process. The at least one deflection member is preferably arranged on the y carriage. For example, the at least one deflection member has a greater distance from the at least one fiber bobbin magazine in the y direction than the placement head. Since the fibers have been drawn out from the at least one fiber bobbin magazine at the initial position of the placement head, i.e. at the beginning of fiber placement, the placement head can move quickly in the y direction during fiber placement. Since the placement head moves toward the at least one fiber bobbin magazine during fiber placement, the fibers do not need to be further delivered or drawn out from the at least one fiber bobbin magazine during fiber placement. If the placement head moves back to its initial position after a fiber placement process, the fibers are drawn out from the at least one fiber bobbin magazine for the next fiber placement process. There is also the possibility that the fibers are transported out of at least one fiber bobbin storehouse as evenly as possible, where the dynamic effects of the lifting box are compensated. Since the fibers do not have to be laid simultaneously during the extraction process, the extraction is relatively smooth. The fibers are preferably delivered from at least one fiber bobbin storehouse above at least one crossbeam. The at least one fiber bobbin storehouse is preferably arranged next to the at least one crossbeam in the x direction, so that the fibers are delivered from at least one fiber bobbin storehouse in the x direction and then deflected to the y direction by at least one deflection member arranged on the bracket. The at least one deflection member is preferably formed in the form of a deflection roller with a vertical rotation axis. The at least one deflection member opposite to the at least one fiber bobbin storehouse and especially arranged on the y carriage is preferably formed in the form of a deflection roller with a horizontal rotation axis. The fiber placement machine preferably has two fiber bobbin stores, which are arranged on both sides of at least one crossbeam in the x direction. The bracket is preferably mounted on the fiber bobbin storehouse. More than two fiber bobbin stores can also be provided, which provide fibers to the fiber laying head.

[0013] The fiber placement machine according to claim 9 ensures simple and fast fiber placement. The at least one lifting box compensates for changes in the tension acting on the fiber, so that the fiber tension remains essentially constant. As a result, the fiber is stabilized along the fiber path between the at least one fiber bobbin magazine and the placement head and dynamic force effects are compensated, thereby allowing higher fiber placement and fiber cutting speeds. In addition, non-reversals in the fiber path caused in particular by turning points or turning elements in the y-axis and z-axis are compensated.

[0014] The fiber placement machine according to claim 10 ensures flexible production of fiber plies. By means of an air conditioning unit, the interior of the machine housing can be air-conditioned, thereby allowing simple and flexible production of fiber plies. Since the housing openings on the loading and unloading sides can be closed by means of covers, the air conditioning of the interior is not affected by the movement of the mold table. The covers are designed, for example, in the form of doors or telescopic skirts. By means of air conditioning, the fiber placement machine ensures optimal processing conditions. This is particularly advantageous when the fibers or impregnated fibers are hydrophilic and / or their processing properties vary with their temperature. By means of air conditioning, it is in particular avoided that the entire processing workshop has to be air-conditioned.

[0015] The present invention is also based on the following object: to provide a fiber placement device which enables fiber layer production in a simple, flexible and efficient manner.

[0016] This task is accomplished by a fiber placement device having the features of claim 11. By means of the conveying mechanism, the at least two fiber placement machines can be automatically loaded and unloaded. For this purpose, the forming molds are in particular arranged on a forming mold rack. The manipulation or transportation of the forming mold or the forming mold rack outside the fiber placement machine is achieved, for example, by means of a roller conveyor system or with the aid of a gantry. Depending on the application, the system can be combined with an industrial robot. The forming mold or the forming mold rack can in particular be moved on a guide mechanism. The fiber placement machines are arranged in series and / or in parallel with each other. The guide mechanism leads to the loading side and / or the unloading side of each fiber placement machine. The fiber placement device of the present invention has high productivity in the manufacture of fiber layers.

[0017] The invention is also based on the object of providing a method which allows the production of a fiber layup in a simple, flexible and efficient manner.

[0018] This object is achieved by a method having the features of claim 12. The advantages of the method according to the invention correspond to the advantages of the fiber placement machine according to the invention or the fiber placement device according to the invention. The method according to the invention can also be improved in particular by means of the features of claims 1 to 11. The automatic loading and unloading of the mold table allows the fiber layup to be produced with high productivity. The fiber placement machine is in particular a four-axis design.

[0019] The method according to claim 13 ensures high productivity. Since the mold table is automatically loaded and unloaded on different sides of the fiber placement machine, the forming mold to be laid can be prepared when the forming mold after laying the fiber is unloaded. This results in a short non-productive time for loading and unloading.

[0020] The method according to claim 14 ensures high productivity. Since the automatic loading and / or automatic unloading of the fiber placement machine is carried out simultaneously with the fiber placement, the non-productive time is shortened. A first operating unit arranged on the loading side of the fiber placement machine is loaded with the forming mold to be laid, for example by means of a conveying mechanism. The forming mold is especially arranged on a forming mold holder. The loading is carried out in parallel with the main time for laying the fiber on another forming mold arranged on the mold table and / or in parallel with the unloading of the mold table. After the fiber placement process is completed, the forming mold with the laid fiber is moved to the second operating unit arranged on the unloading side of the fiber placement machine. The laid forming mold is unloaded from the mold table with the aid of the second operating unit. Subsequently, the mold table moves to the loading side, where the mold table is loaded with the prepared forming mold with the aid of the first operating unit. Subsequently, the mold table moves to the laying head, where the new forming mold is laid with fiber. The finished forming die held by the second operating unit is unloaded from the fiber placement machine during the die table loading process and / or during the fiber placement process in the new forming die. Therefore, the unloading is carried out at the same time as the die table loading and / or at the same time as the main time of fiber placement. Unloading from the fiber placement machine is achieved, for example, by means of a conveying mechanism. The forming die is particularly arranged on a forming die frame.

[0021] The method according to claim 15 ensures simple and rapid loading and unloading of the mold table. By means of the clamping unit, the mold carrier with the different molds can be clamped and released simply, accurately and quickly.

[0022] The method according to claim 16 ensures simple and fast loading and unloading of the mold table. Since the mold table can only be moved linearly in the horizontal direction and in particular in the horizontal x direction, the movement and positioning of the mold table or the forming mold arranged thereon can be realized simply and quickly. As a result, the productivity of the fiber placement machine is increased. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Further features, advantages and details of the invention are obtained from the following description of a number of exemplary embodiments, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a fiber placement device according to a first embodiment, which has a plurality of fiber placement machines arranged in parallel with each other for manufacturing fiber layers, Figure 2 Yes Figure 1 A perspective view of a fiber placement machine of a fiber placement apparatus is shown, Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Top view of the fiber placement machine. Figure 4 is along Figure 3 A perspective cutaway view of a fiber placement machine along the cutting line IV-IV. Figure 5is a schematic diagram of a fiber placement apparatus according to a second embodiment, which has fiber placement machines arranged in series with each other for producing fiber layers. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] The following, combined Figures 1 to 4 The first embodiment of the present invention is described below. The fiber placement device 1 has a plurality of fiber placement machines 2 for manufacturing a fiber layer 3. The fiber placement machines 2 have the same structure. Figure 1 In the embodiment, the fiber placement device 1 has, for example, six fiber placement machines 2 of the same structure, which are arranged in two groups. Each group has three fiber placement machines 2 arranged in parallel with each other.

[0025] For the automatic loading and unloading of the fiber placement machine 2, the fiber placement device 1 has conveying mechanisms 4, 5. The conveying mechanism has, for example, a plurality of conveying carriages 4, which can be moved on the guide mechanism 5. The guide mechanism 5 has a loading section 6, which extends from a receiving point 7 to each loading side 8 of the fiber placement machine 2. At least one conveying carriage 4 is movably mounted on the loading section 6. The guide mechanism 5 also has an unloading section 9, which extends from each unloading side 10 of the fiber placement machine 2 to a dumping position 11. At least one conveying carriage 4 is movably mounted on the unloading section 9.

[0026] By means of the conveying mechanisms 4 and 5, the unlaid forming mold 12, i.e., the forming mold 12 on which the fibers 13 are to be laid, can be moved from the receiving point 7 to the loading side 8, and the forming mold 12 on which the fibers 13 are laid can be moved from the unloading side 10 to the dumping position 11. The forming mold 12 is placed on a forming mold stand 14. The structure of the fiber placement machines 2 is the same, so only one of the fiber placement machines 2 is described below. The fiber placement machine 2 has a frame 15 including a machine base 16 and crossbeams 17 and 18 arranged thereon. The machine base 16 extends substantially in a horizontal x direction and a horizontal y direction extending perpendicular thereto. The crossbeams 17 and 18 extend parallel to the y direction and are arranged on the machine base 16 at intervals in the x direction. The crossbeams 17 and 18 are respectively arranged above the machine base 16 in the z direction at both ends by means of longitudinal struts 19. The z direction runs perpendicular to the x direction and the y direction, so that the x direction, the y direction and the z direction form a Cartesian coordinate system.

[0027] Two x-guide rails 20 are provided on the machine base 16, which extend in the x-direction and are spaced apart from each other in the y-direction. An x-slide 21 is mounted on the x-guide rails 20, which can be moved in the x-direction between the loading side 8 and the unloading side 10 by means of an x-drive motor 22. For this purpose, the x-guide rails 20 extend along the entire machine base 16 in the x-direction. A mold table 23 is arranged on the x-slide 21, which can be rotated about a vertical rotation axis 25 by means of a c-drive motor 24. The vertical rotation axis 25 is also referred to as the c-axis. The c-axis 25 extends parallel to the z-direction. The mold table 23 can be moved linearly only in the x-direction by means of the x-slide 21.

[0028] The die table 23 is used to position the respective forming die 12 relative to the wire placing head 26. In order to mechanically clamp and release the forming die holder 14 together with the respective forming die 12, the die table 23 has a plurality of clamping units 27. The clamping units 27 are as follows: Figure 3 The clamping unit 27 is known in principle and is designed, for example, in the form of a zero-position clamp. The clamping unit 27 is electromechanically, hydraulically or pneumatically actuated.

[0029] In order to lay the fiber 13 on the two-dimensional or three-dimensional mold surface S of each forming mold 12, the fiber placement head 26 can be positioned above the mold table 23 in the z direction. The fiber placement head 26 can move in the y direction and in the z direction. For this purpose, a y slide 28 is installed on the beams 17 and 18, and the y slide can be moved linearly in the y direction by means of a y drive motor 29. The y slide 28 is installed on the y guide rail 30, which is arranged on the top surface of the beams 17 and 18. The y slide 28 extends between the beams 17 and 18. In order to move the fiber placement head 26 in the z direction, a z slide 31 is arranged on the y slide 28. The z slide 31 is installed on the z guide rail 32 and can be moved in the z direction by means of a z drive motor 33. The z guide rails 32 extend parallel to the z direction and are spaced apart from each other in the x direction.

[0030] The placing head 26 is arranged on the z carriage 31. The placing head 26 is preferably replaceable. The placing head 26 can only move linearly in the y direction. The placing head 26 cannot rotate on the z carriage 31. Alternatively, the placing head 26 can rotate about a rotation axis extending parallel to the x direction, that is, forming an a-axis. In this way, a three-dimensional fiber layer 3 with a relatively large curvature can be manufactured.

[0031] The placement head 26 can be linearly moved by at least 200 mm, in particular at least 400 mm, at least 600 mm in the z direction by means of the z carriage 31. In order to produce a three-dimensional fiber layer 3, the control unit 34 of the fiber placement machine 2 is designed such that the placement head 26 can be linearly moved by at least 50 mm, in particular at least 100 mm, in particular at least 150 mm during the fiber placement 13 by means of the z carriage 31.

[0032] For the displacement of the mold table 23 in the x-direction, passage openings 35, 36 for the mold table 23 are formed below the crossbeams 17, 18 between the respectively associated longitudinal struts 19. For the automatic loading of the mold table 23 with the forming mold carrier 14, a first mold carrier handling unit 37 is provided on the loading side 8, and for the automatic unloading of the forming mold carrier 14 from the mold table 23, a second mold carrier handling unit 38 is provided on the unloading side 10. The handling units 37, 38 are mounted on the end side of the machine base 16 in the x-direction. The mold carrier handling units 37, 38 are designed as lifting units, which are used to lift and lower the forming mold carrier 14. For this purpose, the mold carrier handling units 37, 38 have at least three, in particular at least four lifting elements 39. The lifting element 39 has a piston 40, which can be displaced in a corresponding cylinder 41 in the z-direction. The lifting element 39 is electromechanically, hydraulically or pneumatically actuated. In particular, the lifting elements 39 belonging to the respective mold carrier actuation units 37 , 38 are actuated synchronously by means of the control unit 34 in order to raise or lower the forming mold carrier 14 .

[0033] The fiber laying machine 2 has a fiber supply unit 42 for providing the fibers 13 to be laid. The fiber supply unit 42 has two fiber barrel stores 43, 44, wherein the first fiber barrel store 43 is arranged next to the first crossbeam 17 in the x direction, and the second fiber barrel store 44 is arranged next to the second crossbeam 18. These fiber barrel stores 43, 44 are mounted on the end side of the machine base 16 in the y direction. These fiber barrel stores 43, 44 respectively have a plurality of fiber barrel seats 45 for fiber barrels 46. The fiber barrels 46 are arranged on the respective fiber barrel seats 45 and can be mounted rotatably around the respective horizontal axis 47. The respective horizontal rotation axis 47 extends parallel to the y direction. The fibers 13 can be supplied to the respective lifting boxes 48, 49 through the guide members 50 in the form of guide rollers, which are used to compensate for the changes in the tension acting on the fibers 13. The respective lifting boxes 48, 49 have deflection members 51 in the form of deflection rollers, which can be displaced in the z direction and pre-tighten the fibers 13 by gravity. The deflection element 51 is also called a regulating roller. By shifting the deflection element 51, dynamic effects caused by the inertia of the fiber package 46 on the one hand and by the inconsistent delivery of the fibers 13 when cutting the individual fibers 13 when placing the fibers 13 on the other hand can be compensated. The fibers 13 can be deflected by the guide element 53 in the form of a guide roller and can be sent out from the respective fiber package magazine 43, 44. The position of the deflection element 51 is controlled during the operation of the lifting box 48, 49. A sensor 52 is used for this, which determines the deflection of the deflection element 51 in the z direction. The deflection in the z direction is adjusted around a theoretical position, wherein the fiber package holder 45 is equipped with an adjustable brake.

[0034] The fibers 13 are removed from the fiber package magazines 43, 44 in the x-direction and are deflected to the y-direction by vertically arranged deflection members 54 forming a vertical deflection axis. These deflection members 54 are constructed in the form of deflection rollers. The deflection members 54 are mounted on a bracket 55, which is fixed between the fiber package magazines 43, 44. On the side of the y-slide 28 facing away from the fiber laying head 26 and the fiber package magazines 43, 44, there are multiple horizontal deflection members 46 in the form of deflection rollers, which first turn the fibers 13 from the y-direction to the z-direction and then from the z-direction to the y-direction. These deflection members 56 form a horizontal deflection axis. Between the y-slide 28 and the fiber package magazines 43, 44, other horizontal deflection members 57 are arranged above the z-slide 31. These deflection members 57 form a horizontal deflection axis and turn the fibers 13 from the y-direction to the z-direction relative to the fiber laying head 26. The deflection members 57 are constructed in the form of deflection rollers. The structure of the fiber laying head 26 is known.

[0035] The fiber placement machine 2 has only Figure 3 and Figure 4 The machine housing 58 is shown in FIG. The machine housing 58 delimits an interior chamber 5 in which a longitudinal support 19 is arranged, which has cross beams 17, 18, a y carriage 28, a z carriage 31 and a wire laying head 26. The machine housing 58 has a first housing opening 60 toward the loading side 8 and a second housing opening 61 toward the unloading side 10, which can be tightly closed and opened by respective covers 62. Figure 3 Only the housing openings 60, 61 and the corresponding covers 62 are shown in a rough manner. The covers 62 are designed, for example, in the form of doors or telescopic skirts.

[0036] For air conditioning of the interior 59, the fiber placement machine 2 has an air conditioning unit 63 arranged on the machine base 16. For access to the interior 59, two further housing openings 64, 65 are provided in the machine housing 58, which lead into the interior 59 between the respective adjacent longitudinal struts 19. The housing openings 64, 65 can be closed by means of a door 66.

[0037] The fiber placement device 1 and the fiber placement machine 2 work as follows: These fiber placement machines 2 are automatically loaded with forming mold frames 14 by means of conveying mechanisms 4, 5, on which the forming molds 12 to be laid are placed. To this end, at least one conveying carriage 4 is moved from a receiving point 7 on the loading section 6 of the guide mechanism 5 to the respective loading side 8 of the fiber placement machine 2. Loading is carried out in this way, and the conveying mechanisms 4, 5 supply the forming mold frames 14 to the first mold frame manipulation unit 37. The first mold frame manipulation unit 37 is preferably located in a raised position. As long as the first mold frame manipulation unit 37 is not in the raised position, the first mold frame manipulation unit is transferred into the raised position before or after loading. The loading of each fiber placement machine 2 is carried out in parallel with the laying of the fibers 13 and / or with the unloading of the mold table 23.

[0038] While the first die carrier handling unit 37 is preparing the forming die 12 to be laid on the loading side 8, the fiber lay 3 is produced by means of the laying head 6. For this purpose, the forming die carrier 14 together with the forming die 12 arranged thereon is clamped on the die table 23 by means of the clamping unit 27. During the fiber laying process, the die table 23 can be linearly moved in the x direction by means of the x carriage 21 and can be rotated about the rotation axis 25 by means of the c drive motor 24 to obtain the desired fiber orientation. In addition, the laying head 26 is moved in the y direction by means of the y carriage 28 and in the z direction by means of the z carriage 31 during the fiber laying. By moving the laying head 26 in the z direction, a three-dimensional fiber lay 3 can be produced in particular.

[0039] After the fiber layer 3 is completed, the x carriage 21 is moved in the x direction to the unloading side 10. There, the second mold carrier handling unit 38 is in the lowered position. In order to automatically unload the forming mold carrier 14, the forming mold carrier is released from the mold table 23 by means of the clamping unit 27. Subsequently, the lifting element 39 of the second mold carrier handling unit 38 is transferred from the lowered position to the raised position, so that the forming mold carrier 14 together with the forming mold 12 with the completed fiber laying is automatically unloaded from the mold table 23.

[0040] Next, the x carriage 21 moves from the unloading side 10 to the loading side 8, where the first mold frame handling unit 37 prepares the next molding die frame 14 in the raised position. If the mold table 23 is located below the molding die frame 14, the lifting element 39 of the first mold frame handling unit 37 is transferred from the raised position to the lowered position, whereby the molding die frame 14 is placed on the mold table 23. The molding die frame 14 is then clamped on the mold table 23 by means of the clamping unit 27. Now, the mold table 23 moves in the x direction to the fiber placement head 26 for the next fiber placement process, so that it can start with a new fiber placement process. The lifting element 39 of the first mold frame handling unit 37 is transferred to the lowered position again for new loading.

[0041] The fiber placement machine 2 is automatically unloaded by means of conveying mechanisms 4, 5, which lead from the respective unloading side 10 to the dumping position 11. The unloading of the respective fiber placement machine 2 is carried out simultaneously with the loading of the mold table 23 with the molding mold frame 14 together with the molding mold 12 to be laid thereon and / or with the laying of the fiber 13 on the molding mold 12. For unloading, the transport carriage 4 takes over the molding mold frame 14 and the molding mold 12 arranged thereon from the second mold frame handling unit 38 and moves from the respective unloading side 10 of the unloading section 9 of the guide mechanism 5 to the dumping position 11. After unloading, the lifting element 39 of the second mold frame handling unit 38 is transferred to the lowered position, so that the mold table 23 can be unloaded again.

[0042] The housing openings 60 , 61 of the air-conditioned machine housing 58 are primarily closed by means of a cover 62 and are only opened when the mold table 23 is moved from the loading side 8 to the wire laying head 26 or from the wire laying head 26 to the unloading side 10 or from the unloading side 10 to the loading side 8 .

[0043] When the fiber placement head 26 moves in the y direction toward the fiber package magazines 43, 44, the fiber 13 is placed in a single direction. During this movement, the distance between the vertical deflection member 54 and the horizontal deflection member 56 is shortened, so that the fiber 13 does not need to be drawn out of the fiber package magazines 43, 44 during the fiber placement process. As a result, the fiber placement can be carried out relatively quickly. When the fiber placement head 26 withdraws from the fiber package magazines 43, 44, the fiber 13 is then drawn out of the fiber package magazines 43, 44 for the next fiber placement process. Changes in the tension of the fiber 13 are compensated by means of the lifting boxes 48, 49.

[0044] The following, combined Figure 5 The second embodiment of the present invention is described below. Unlike the first embodiment, the fiber placement machines 2 are divided into two groups and arranged in series. The guide mechanism 5 is constructed so that the transport carriage 4 can be moved to the loading side 8 and the unloading side 10 of each fiber placement machine 2 through the respective loading sections 6 and the respective unloading sections 9. The fiber bobbin magazines 43 and 44 of each fiber placement machine 2 are arranged toward the gap 67. The gap 67 is composed of two rows of fiber placement machines 2. A stock warehouse including, for example, fiber bobbins 46 is provided in the gap 67 for re-equipping the fiber bobbin magazines 43 and 44. For other structures and other working methods of the fiber placement device 1 and the fiber placement machine 2, refer to the previous embodiments.

[0045] The following generally applies: These fiber placement machines 2 allow the laying of fiber bundles consisting of drawn-impregnated material and / or cut-drawn material and / or dry fibers 13 which may have a binder. The fibers 13 are preferably carbon fibers and / or glass fibers. The fiber plies 3 can be produced with any fiber orientation and / or shape. The fiber placement machines 2 work autonomously. In order to load and unload the fiber placement machines 2, the fiber placement device 1 can have a superior control device. The fiber placement machines 2 are especially integrated into production lines to achieve high productivity. Each fiber placement machine 2 is a four-axis structure. If the fiber placement head 26 can be rotated about an additional a-axis, each fiber placement machine 2 is a five-axis structure. With each fiber placement machine 2, both two-dimensional fiber plies 3 and three-dimensional fiber plies 3 can be produced. The fiber placement head 26 can move linearly on two axes. In particular, the fiber placement head 26 only moves linearly on two axes, namely on the horizontal y-axis and the vertical z-axis. The mold table 23 can be linearly moved on one axis and can be rotated about a rotation axis 25. In particular, the mold table 23 can only be linearly moved on the x-axis and can be rotated about the vertical c-axis. This axis combination allows simple, flexible and efficient production of two-dimensional and three-dimensional fiber layers 3 with arbitrary fiber orientations and / or shapes.

[0046] The fiber placement head 26 is a multi-flow structure and includes common functions such as cutting the fiber 13 during the movement, clamping and driving of the fiber 13, wherein each function can be used separately for the fiber 13. The fiber placement head 26 can be replaced for maintenance. The loading of the fiber placement machine 2 and / or the mold table 23 is carried out automatically. For this purpose, a conveying mechanism 4, 5 and a mold frame handling unit 37 are provided. The unloading of the mold table 23 and / or the fiber placement machine 2 is carried out automatically accordingly. For this purpose, a mold frame handling unit 38 and a conveying mechanism 4, 5 are provided. The conveying mechanism can also be configured so that the forming mold 12 or the forming mold frame 14 can be moved by means of the guide mechanism itself. For this purpose, the guide mechanism constitutes, for example, a roller conveyor or a belt conveyor. The conveying carriage is not necessary. The mold frame handling units 37, 38 are, for example, mold frame replacement devices. The fiber placement machine 2 can be approached from opposite sides for loading and unloading. In particular, the forming mold frame 14 can be loaded by the fiber placement machine 2. Through this loading, the fiber placement machine 2 is suitable for integration into the production line. By means of the fiber placement machine 2, for example, a fiber ply 3 having dimensions of 1500 mm×1500 mm×100 mm can be produced. Such a fiber ply 3 is used, for example, in the automotive industry.

Claims

1. A fiber placement machine for manufacturing a fiber layer, comprising a frame (15), an x-slide (21) capable of linear movement in a horizontal x-direction, a mold table (23) for positioning a molding mold (12), which is arranged on the x-slide (21) and can rotate about a vertically extending rotation axis (25), a fiber placement head (26) for placing fibers (13) on the molding mold (12) and arranged above the mold table (23) in a vertical z-direction, and a fiber supply unit (42) for supplying fibers (13) to be placed by the fiber placement head (26), wherein: The wire placing head (26) can be linearly moved in a horizontal y direction extending transversely to the x direction by means of a y slide (28).

2. The fiber placement machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The x-slide (21) is movable on an x-rail (20) which extends from a loading side (8) of the frame (15) to an unloading side (10) of the frame (15).

3. The fiber placement machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The mold table (23) has a plurality of clamping units (27) for mechanically clamping and releasing the molding mold carrier (14).

4. The fiber placement machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that At least one mold frame handling unit (37, 38) is provided for loading the mold table (23) with a forming mold frame (14) and / or unloading the forming mold frame (14) from the mold table (23), and the mold frame handling unit is particularly arranged on the loading side (8) and / or the unloading side (10) of the frame (15).

5. The fiber placement machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The frame (15) has at least one crossbeam (17, 18) extending in the y direction, the y slide (28) is arranged on the crossbeam, and at least one through-opening (35, 36) for the mold table (23) is formed below the at least one crossbeam (17, 18), especially in the z direction.

6. The fiber placement machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that The frame (15) has two crossbeams (17, 18) spaced apart in the x-direction, and the y-slide (28) is movably mounted on the crossbeams.

7. The fiber placement machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that A z slide (31) is arranged on the y slide (28), and the z slide can move linearly in the z direction. The fiber placement head (26) is arranged on the z slide (31), and is particularly provided with a control unit (34) constructed in this way. The fiber placement head (26) can move in the z direction with the help of the z slide (31) during the fiber (13) placement process to produce a three-dimensional fiber layer (3).

8. The fiber placement machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that The fiber supply unit (42) has at least one fiber package magazine (43, 44) and at least one deflection element (56), wherein the at least one deflection element (56) is arranged opposite the at least one fiber package magazine (43, 44) relative to the laying head (26), in particular on the Y-carriage (28).

9. The fiber placement machine according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that The fiber supply unit (42) has at least one lifting box (48, 49) for compensating for the dynamic effects of forces acting on the fiber (13).

10. The fiber placement machine according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that The wire laying head (26) is arranged in a machine housing (58), is provided with an air conditioning unit (63) for air conditioning the inner chamber (59) of the machine housing (58), and in particular, housing openings (60, 61) that can be closed by covers (62) are formed in the machine housing (58) on the loading side (8) and the unloading side (10).

11. A fiber laying device for manufacturing fiber layers, comprising at least two fiber laying machines (2) according to at least one of claims 1 to 10 and a conveying mechanism (4, 5) for loading the at least two fiber laying machines (2) with molding molds, in particular those arranged on a molding mold rack (14) and / or unloading molding molds (12), in particular those arranged on a molding mold rack (14), from the at least two fiber laying machines (2).

12. A method for manufacturing a fiber layup, comprising the steps of: - providing a fiber placement machine (2) having a mold table (23) and a placement head (26), wherein the fiber placement machine (2) is designed in particular according to at least one of claims 1 to 10, - automatically loading the mold table (23) with a molding mold (12), in particular one mounted on a molding mold carrier (14), - placing the fiber (13) on the forming die (12) by means of the fiber placement head (26), and - Automatically unloading the molding tool (12) on which the fibers (13) are laid, in particular arranged on the molding tool carrier (14), from the molding tool table (23).

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that The automatic loading is carried out on the loading side (8) of the fiber placement machine (2), and the automatic unloading is carried out on the unloading side (10) of the fiber placement machine (2), wherein the unloading side (10) is designed to be opposite to the loading side (8).

14. A method according to claim 12 or 13, characterised in that Loading and / or unloading of the forming mold (12) to the fiber placement machine (2) is carried out in parallel with loading and / or unloading of the mold table (23) and / or placement of the fibers (13).

15. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that For automatic loading and unloading, the forming mold carrier (14) is mechanically clamped and released on the mold table (23) by means of a clamping unit (27).

16. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 15, characterized in that For automatic loading and unloading, the mold table (23) is linearly moved in only one direction by means of a slide (28).

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