Efficient forming equipment for thermoplastic carbon fiber composite material

Abstract

The invention belongs to the technical field of 3D printing heads and automatic fiber placement equipment, and particularly relates to thermoplastic carbon fiber composite efficient forming equipment which comprises a base structure. The fiber placement unit is arranged on the base structure in a liftable mode, the fiber placement unit comprises a mounting plate, a fiber placement mechanism and at least one fiber feeding mechanism, the feeding end of the fiber feeding mechanism communicates with a tow guiding and conveying assembly, and the tow guiding and conveying assembly is used for placing a thermoplastic carbon fiber composite material; the discharging end of the wire feeding mechanism is communicated with the feeding end of the wire placement mechanism; and the 3D printing units are arranged on the base structure in a lifting mode, the 3D printing units are located on one side of the fiber placement unit, the feeding end of each 3D printing unit communicates with at least one feeding mechanism, and the feeding mechanisms are used for containing 3D printing materials. The two processing technologies of 3D printing and automatic fiber placement are achieved, and the production efficiency is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the technical field of 3D printing heads and automatic filament placement equipment, and particularly relates to a high-efficiency molding equipment for thermoplastic carbon fiber composite materials. Background Technology

[0002] Carbon fiber composites possess advantages such as low density, high specific strength, high specific modulus, good fatigue performance, high temperature resistance, and corrosion resistance, leading to their widespread application in aerospace, automotive manufacturing, and other fields. 3D printing and automated fiber placement technologies, as key processes in additive manufacturing of composite materials, each have their own unique advantages and disadvantages.

[0003] 3D printing offers flexibility, but its mechanical and thermal properties are poor, failing to meet the structural strength requirements of some products. Parts manufactured by automated fiber placement exhibit excellent performance, but the long fiber placement makes it unsuitable for processing more complex parts.

[0004] Combining 3D printing technology with automated filament placement technology is becoming a future development direction for composite material processing.

[0005] Therefore, we propose a high-efficiency molding equipment for thermoplastic carbon fiber composite materials. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to provide a high-efficiency molding equipment for thermoplastic carbon fiber composite materials to solve the above-mentioned problems.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following solution:

[0008] A high-efficiency molding equipment for thermoplastic carbon fiber composite materials, comprising:

[0009] Base structure;

[0010] A fiber placement unit is vertically mounted on the base structure. The fiber placement unit includes a mounting plate, a fiber placement mechanism, and at least one fiber feeding mechanism. The feed end of the fiber feeding mechanism is connected to a fiber bundle guiding assembly, which is used to place thermoplastic carbon fiber composite material. The discharge end of the fiber feeding mechanism is connected to the feed end of the fiber placement mechanism.

[0011] At least one 3D printing unit is vertically mounted on the base structure. The 3D printing unit is located on one side of the filament placement unit. The feeding end of the 3D printing unit is connected to at least one feeding mechanism, which is used to place 3D printing material.

[0012] Optionally, the base structure includes:

[0013] Flange;

[0014] The frame side plate is fixed to the bottom of the flange. There are two frame side plates, and the wire laying unit is located between the two frame side plates.

[0015] The mounting plate is flexibly mounted on the inner side of the frame side plate by being connected to the movable end of the slide cylinder;

[0016] The 3D printing unit is raised and lowered on the outside of the frame side plate by being connected to the movable end of another slide cylinder;

[0017] The fixed end of the slide cylinder is fixedly connected to the side plate of the frame.

[0018] Optionally, the wire feeding mechanism includes a wire path formed on the mounting plate and a clamping assembly, a refeeding assembly, and a shearing assembly sequentially connected to the mounting plate along the material conveying direction of the wire path.

[0019] Optionally, the clamping assembly includes:

[0020] The support plate is fixedly connected to the mounting plate;

[0021] A clamping wheel is rotatably connected to the mounting plate, and the clamping wheel is located on the feed end side of the wire path;

[0022] A clamping roller is disposed opposite to the clamping wheel, and the clamping roller is movably disposed on the mounting plate to adjust the distance between the clamping roller and the clamping wheel;

[0023] The thermoplastic carbon fiber composite material output from the discharge end of the filament guide assembly passes between the clamping wheel and the clamping pressure roller and enters the feed port of the filament path.

[0024] The clamping roller is movably connected to the mounting plate via a cylinder; a support plate is fixedly connected to the fixed end of the cylinder, and the support plate is fixedly connected to the mounting plate.

[0025] The clamping roller is rotatably connected to the movable end of the cylinder.

[0026] The wire is clamped by adjusting the distance between the clamping roller and the clamping wheel through the movable end of the cylinder.

[0027] Optionally, the retransmission component includes:

[0028] The motor is reloaded, and its fixed end is fixedly connected to the mounting plate.

[0029] A heavy-duty conveying shaft is shaft-connected to the output shaft of the heavy-duty conveying motor, and the heavy-duty conveying shaft is rotatably mounted on the mounting plate;

[0030] A heavy-duty pressure roller is arranged opposite to the heavy-duty shaft, and the heavy-duty pressure roller is movably arranged on the mounting plate to adjust the distance between the heavy-duty pressure roller and the heavy-duty shaft;

[0031] The thermoplastic carbon fiber composite material is pressed onto the feed shaft by the feed roller, and the thermoplastic carbon fiber composite material is moved in the filament path by the rotation of the feed shaft.

[0032] The heavy-duty pressure roller is movably connected to the mounting plate via another cylinder, and the heavy-duty pressure roller is rotatably connected to the movable end of the corresponding cylinder.

[0033] The wire is clamped by adjusting the distance between the feed roller and the feed shaft through the movable end of the cylinder.

[0034] Optionally, the cutting component includes:

[0035] A cutter pad is fixed inside the thread path;

[0036] A cutter is disposed opposite to the cutter pad, and the cutter is movably disposed on the mounting plate to adjust the distance between the cutter and the cutter pad;

[0037] The thermoplastic carbon fiber composite material passes between the cutter and the cutter pad, and the material is cut by the movement of the cutter toward the cutter pad.

[0038] The cutter is movably connected to the mounting plate via another cylinder, and the cutter is fixedly connected to the movable end of the corresponding cylinder.

[0039] The wire is cut by adjusting the distance between the cutter and the cutter pad by adjusting the movable end of the cylinder.

[0040] Optionally, the filament laying mechanism includes a pressure roller rotatably connected to the mounting plate and a heating assembly disposed on a pair of sides of the pressure roller. The heating assembly is fixed to the mounting plate, and the discharge end of the filament path is connected to the feed end of the pressure roller.

[0041] The heating assembly includes a laser heater, which is fixed to the mounting plate by a heater bracket.

[0042] The pressure roller is equipped with a pressure sensor for detecting the pressure below the pressure roller.

[0043] Optionally, there are multiple wire feeding mechanisms, and the wire paths of the wire feeding mechanisms are staggered on both sides of the mounting plate, with the wire paths of two wire feeding mechanisms on the same side being spaced apart.

[0044] Optionally, the filament feeding assembly includes:

[0045] A filament spool for winding thermoplastic carbon fiber composite material, wherein the outlet end of the filament spool is connected to the feed end of a tensioning mechanism;

[0046] The brake's movable end is coaxially fixed to the screw drum via an expansion sleeve, and the brake's fixed end is fixed to the flange via a flange cover.

[0047] The tensioning mechanism includes:

[0048] A slider guide rail is fixed on the flange cover. A slider is provided on the slider guide rail. The slider slides radially along the flange cover. Spring frames are fixed to both ends of the slider guide rail. A spring is provided between the slider and the spring frame. One end of the spring is fixed to the spring frame, and the other end of the spring is fixed to the slider.

[0049] A floating roller shaft has its top end fixedly connected to the slider, and a floating roller is coaxially rotatably mounted on the floating roller shaft;

[0050] The guide wheel is rotatably connected to the mounting plate via a guide wheel bracket;

[0051] The thermoplastic carbon fiber composite material wound on the spool passes sequentially through the floating roller shaft and the guide wheel into the space between the clamping roller and the clamping pressure roller.

[0052] Optionally, a displacement sensor is connected to the spring.

[0053] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages and technical effects:

[0054] In use, the base structure of this device can be connected to the movable end of a six-axis robot. By controlling the extension of the filament placement unit and the retraction of the 3D printing unit, thermoplastic carbon fiber composite material is laid using the filament placement unit. After the thermoplastic carbon fiber composite material is laid, the function is switched by retracting the filament placement unit and extending the 3D printing unit. 3D printing is then performed on the surface of the laid thermoplastic carbon fiber composite material. This invention realizes two processing technologies: 3D printing and automatic filament placement, thereby improving production efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0055] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly described below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0056] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the first angle structure of the present invention;

[0057] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the second angle structure of the present invention;

[0058] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the filament guiding assembly of the present invention;

[0059] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the fiber placement unit structure of the present invention;

[0060] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the 3D printing unit and barrel structure of the present invention;

[0061] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the quick-release mechanism of the present invention;

[0062] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the ant-leg sandwich carbon fiber structure of the present invention;

[0063] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the front fixing block structure of the wire guide of the present invention;

[0064] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the wire guide fixing block and the wire guide of the present invention;

[0065] Among them, 1. Flange; 2. Frame side plate; 3. Wire laying unit; 311. Wire spool; 312. Guide wheel; 313. Guide wheel frame; 314. Front fixing block of wire path; 316. Rear fixing block of wire path; 317. Wire path; 32. Tensioning mechanism; 321. Brake; 322. Expansion sleeve; 323. Floating roller; 324. Floating roller shaft; 325. Spring frame; 326. Slider guide rail; 327. Flange cover; 33. Clamping assembly; 331. Cylinder; 332. Support plate; 333. Clamping pressure roller; 334. Clamping wheel; 34. Heavy feed assembly; 341. Heavy feed motor; 342. Synchronous gear; 343. Main heavy feed shaft; 344. Subordinate heavy feed shaft; 345. Heavy feed pressure roller; 35. Shearing Components; 351, Cutter; 352, Cutter Pad; 37, Heating Component 1; 371, Laser Heater; 372, Heater Bracket; 38, Pressure Roller 1; 381, Pressure Sensor; 39, Quick Release Mechanism; 391, Quick Release Wrench; 392, Lower Shaft; 393, Connecting Column; 394, U-Block; 395, Upper Shaft; 4, 3D Printing Unit; 41, Material Cylinder; 42, Conveyor Roller; 43, Pressure Roller 2; 44, Adjusting Stud; 45, Throat; 46, Heat Dissipation Component; 461, Heat Dissipation Block; 462, Cooling Fan; 47, Heating Component 2; 5, Slide Cylinder; 7, Printing Filament; 8, Ant Leg Sandwich Carbon Fiber Structure; 81, Top Plate; 82, Ant Leg Sandwich; 83, Base Plate. Detailed Implementation

[0066] 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 only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0067] To make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0068] Reference Figures 1 to 9 This invention discloses a high-efficiency molding equipment for thermoplastic carbon fiber composite materials, comprising:

[0069] Base structure;

[0070] The fiber placement unit 3 is liftably mounted on the base structure. The fiber placement unit 3 includes a mounting plate, a fiber placement mechanism, and at least one fiber feeding mechanism. The feed end of the fiber feeding mechanism is connected to a fiber bundle guiding component, which is used to place thermoplastic carbon fiber composite material. The discharge end of the fiber feeding mechanism is connected to the feed end of the fiber placement mechanism.

[0071] At least one 3D printing unit 4 is vertically mounted on the base structure. The 3D printing unit 4 is located on one side of the filament placement unit 3. The feeding end of the 3D printing unit 4 is connected to at least one feeding mechanism, which is used to place 3D printing material.

[0072] In use, the base structure of this device can be connected to the movable end of a six-axis robot. By controlling the extension of the filament placement unit 3 and the retraction of the 3D printing unit 4, thermoplastic carbon fiber composite material is laid using the filament placement unit 3. After the thermoplastic carbon fiber composite material is laid, the function is switched by retracting the filament placement unit 3 and extending the 3D printing unit 4, and 3D printing is performed on the surface of the laid thermoplastic carbon fiber composite material. This invention realizes two processing technologies: 3D printing and automatic filament placement, thereby improving production efficiency.

[0073] As an optional implementation, the base structure includes:

[0074] Flange 1;

[0075] The frame side plate 2 is fixed to the bottom of the flange 1. There are two frame side plates 2, and the wire laying unit 3 is located between the two frame side plates 2.

[0076] The mounting plate is mounted on the inner side of the frame side plate 2 by being connected to the movable end of the slide cylinder 5;

[0077] The 3D printing unit 4 is lifted and positioned on the outside of the frame side plate 2 by connecting to the movable end of another slide cylinder 5;

[0078] The fixed end of the slide cylinder 5 is fixedly connected to the side plate 2 of the frame.

[0079] The main structure of this equipment includes a flange 1, a frame side plate 2, a filament placement unit 3, and a 3D printing unit 4.

[0080] The frame side plate 2 is fixed below the flange 1 and is used to install the filament placement unit 3 and the 3D printing unit 4.

[0081] The wire laying unit 3 is located in the center below the flange 1 and is installed on the inner side of the frame side plate 2 via two sliding cylinders 5.

[0082] In this embodiment, the 3D printing unit 4 has two printing heads, located on both sides of the filament laying unit 3, and the 3D printing unit 4 is mounted on the outside of the frame side plate 2 via the slide cylinder 5.

[0083] As an optional implementation, the wire feeding mechanism includes a wire path 317 formed on the mounting plate and a clamping assembly 33, a refeeding assembly 34, and a shearing assembly 35 connected sequentially to the mounting plate along the material conveying direction of the wire path 317.

[0084] As an optional implementation, the clamping assembly 33 includes:

[0085] Support plate 332 is fixedly connected to mounting plate;

[0086] The clamping wheel 334 is rotatably connected to the mounting plate and is located on the feed end side of the wire guide 317;

[0087] The clamping roller 333 is arranged opposite to the clamping wheel 334. The clamping roller 333 is movably mounted on the mounting plate to adjust the distance between the clamping roller 333 and the clamping wheel 334.

[0088] The thermoplastic carbon fiber composite material output from the discharge end of the filament guide assembly passes between the clamping wheel 334 and the clamping pressure roller 333 and enters the feed port of the filament path 317.

[0089] The clamping roller 333 is movably connected to the mounting plate via a cylinder 331; a support plate 332 is fixedly connected to the fixed end of the cylinder 331, and the support plate 332 is fixedly connected to the mounting plate.

[0090] The clamping roller 333 is rotatably connected to the movable end of the cylinder 331.

[0091] The wire is clamped by adjusting the distance between the clamping roller 333 and the clamping wheel 334 through the movable end of the cylinder 331.

[0092] As an optional implementation, the retransmission component 34 includes:

[0093] The rechargeable motor 341 has its fixed end fixedly connected to the mounting plate.

[0094] The heavy-duty conveyor shaft is shaft-connected to the output shaft of the heavy-duty conveyor motor 341, and the heavy-duty conveyor shaft is rotatably mounted on the mounting plate.

[0095] The heavy-feeding roller 345 is arranged opposite to the heavy-feeding shaft. The heavy-feeding roller 345 is movably mounted on the mounting plate to adjust the distance between the heavy-feeding roller 345 and the heavy-feeding shaft.

[0096] The thermoplastic carbon fiber composite material is pressed onto the feed shaft by the feed roller 345, and the thermoplastic carbon fiber composite material moves within the wire path 317 by the rotation of the feed shaft.

[0097] The heavy-duty pressure roller 345 is movably connected to the mounting plate via another cylinder 331, and the heavy-duty pressure roller 345 is rotatably connected to the movable end of the corresponding cylinder 331.

[0098] The wire is clamped by adjusting the distance between the feed roller 345 and the feed shaft by adjusting the movable end of the cylinder 331.

[0099] As an optional implementation, the shearing component 35 includes:

[0100] The cutter pad 352 is fixed inside the thread path 317;

[0101] The cutter 351 is positioned opposite to the cutter pad 352, and the cutter 351 is movably mounted on the mounting plate to adjust the distance between the cutter 351 and the cutter pad 352;

[0102] The thermoplastic carbon fiber composite material passes between the cutter 351 and the cutter pad 352, and the material is cut by the movement of the cutter 351 toward the cutter pad 352.

[0103] The cutter 351 is movably connected to the mounting plate via another cylinder 331, and the cutter 351 is fixedly connected to the movable end of the corresponding cylinder 331.

[0104] The wire is cut by adjusting the distance between the cutter 351 and the cutter pad 352 by the movable end of the cylinder 331.

[0105] As an optional implementation, the filament laying mechanism includes a pressure roller 38 rotatably connected to the mounting plate and a heating component 37 disposed on the opposite side of the pressure roller 38. The heating component 37 is fixed to the mounting plate, and the discharge end of the filament path 317 is connected to the feed end of the pressure roller 38.

[0106] Heating assembly 37 includes a laser heater 371, which is fixed to the mounting plate by a heater bracket 372.

[0107] The pressure roller 38 is equipped with a pressure sensor 381 for detecting the downward pressure of the pressure roller 38.

[0108] The filament placement unit 3 includes a mounting plate, a filament placement mechanism, and at least one filament feeding mechanism. The filament feeding mechanism includes a filament path 317 opened on the mounting plate and a clamping assembly 33, a re-feeding assembly 34, and a shearing assembly 35 sequentially connected to the mounting plate along the material conveying direction of the filament path 317.

[0109] The filament laying mechanism includes a heating assembly 37 and a pressure roller 38.

[0110] The clamping assembly 33, the heavy-feeding assembly 34, and the shearing assembly 35 have similar structures and are mainly composed of a cylinder 331, a support plate 332, a clamping pressure roller 333, a clamping wheel 334, a heavy-feeding pressure roller 345, a heavy-feeding shaft, a cutter 351, and a cutter pad 352.

[0111] The fixed end of the cylinder 331 is fixedly mounted on the mounting plate via the support plate 332, and the straight line of the movable end of the cylinder 331 is perpendicular to the thread guide 317.

[0112] In the clamping assembly 33, the movable end of the cylinder 331 is connected to the clamping roller 333; a clamping wheel 334 is arranged at a corresponding position below the yarn path 317; within the stroke of the cylinder 331, the clamping roller 333 moves close to the clamping wheel 334 to achieve the clamping function, and the clamping of a specific yarn bundle is achieved by independently controlling the movement of the cylinder 331.

[0113] The clamping roller 333 is in the clamping state by default. When wire feeding is required, the corresponding clamping roller 333 is lifted to feed the wire.

[0114] Similarly, in the heavy conveying assembly 34, the cylinder 331 is connected to the heavy conveying roller 345 to make the heavy conveying roller 345 closer to or further away from the heavy conveying shaft; in the shearing assembly 35, the cylinder 331 is connected to the cutter 351 to make the cutter 351 closer to or further away from the cutter pad 352.

[0115] The feed shaft is connected to the feed motor 341 via a synchronous belt pulley.

[0116] The cutter 351 is in the raised state by default. When it is necessary to cut into strips, the cutter 351 moves downward to cut into strips, and then immediately lifts up after cutting into strips.

[0117] As an optional implementation, there are multiple wire feeding mechanisms, and the wire paths 317 of the wire feeding mechanisms are staggered on both sides of the mounting plate, with the wire paths 317 of two wire feeding mechanisms on the same side being spaced apart.

[0118] In this invention, there are a total of four wire feeding mechanisms, thus providing four wire paths 317.

[0119] The mounting plate includes a front fixing block 314 and a rear fixing block 316 located in the middle of the wire guide. Panels with wire guides 317 are fixed to both sides of the front and rear fixing blocks 314 and 316, respectively. The two panels are positioned back-to-back and at an included angle, with two wire guides 317 on each panel. The four wire guides 317 are arranged in an alternating pattern, and the outlet ends of the four wire guides 317 on the two panels converge on the same sideline. This allows the wire bundles of the four wire guides 317 to converge into a wide, non-overlapping, and gapless strip before entering the pressure roller 38. An arc-shaped guide plate is provided in front of the pressure roller 38, allowing the wide strip to be laid along the guide plate onto the working surface.

[0120] Two feed tracks 317 on one side of the fixed plate share a common feed shaft, and two feed tracks 317 on the other side of the fixed plate share another feed shaft. The feed shaft that is driven by the feed motor 341 is the main feed shaft 343, and the other feed shaft is the driven feed shaft 344. The main feed shaft 343 and the driven feed shaft 344 are driven by synchronous gears.

[0121] The main feed shaft 343 and the secondary feed shaft 344 are located on the front side of the fixed plate. The secondary feed shaft 344 contacts the wire bundle in the two wire paths 317 located on the back side of the fixed plate through a through hole.

[0122] The feed roller 345 is in the raised state by default. When it is necessary to feed the yarn, the feed roller 345 corresponding to the yarn path 317 is pressed down to feed the yarn.

[0123] As an optional implementation, the filament feeding assembly includes:

[0124] The wire spool 311 is used for winding thermoplastic carbon fiber composite material. The discharge end of the wire spool 311 is connected to the feed end of the tensioning mechanism 32.

[0125] The movable end of the brake 321 is coaxially fixed to the screw drum 311 via the expansion sleeve 322, and the fixed end of the brake 321 is fixed to the flange 1 via the flange cover 327.

[0126] Tensioning mechanism 32 includes:

[0127] The slider guide rail 326 is fixed on the flange cover 327. A slider is provided on the slider guide rail 326. The slider slides radially along the flange cover 327. Spring brackets 325 are fixed to both ends of the slider guide rail 326. A spring is provided between the slider and the spring bracket 325. One end of the spring is fixed to the spring bracket 325, and the other end of the spring is fixed to the slider.

[0128] The top end of the floating roller shaft 324 is fixedly connected to the slider, and the floating roller 323 is coaxially rotatably mounted on the floating roller shaft 324.

[0129] Guide wheel 312 is rotatably connected to the mounting plate via guide wheel bracket 313;

[0130] The thermoplastic carbon fiber composite material wound on the filament spool 311 passes through the floating roller shaft 324 and the guide wheel 312 in sequence and enters between the clamping roller 334 and the clamping pressure roller 333.

[0131] As an optional implementation, a displacement sensor is connected to the spring.

[0132] The filament feeding assembly includes a filament spool 311, a shrink sleeve 322, a floating roller 323, and a guide wheel 312.

[0133] In this invention, there are four filament tubes 311, four floating rollers 323, and four guide wheels 312 for guiding four filament bundles; the filament tubes 311 are symmetrically arranged below the flange 1 after being tightened by the expansion sleeve 322, and the axial direction of the filament tubes 311 is perpendicular to the flange 1.

[0134] Four filament spools 311 are arranged symmetrically on the flange 1. The filament spools 311 are used to hold thermoplastic carbon fiber prepreg for automatic filament laying. Two feeding mechanisms for storing 3D printing filament material are arranged symmetrically about the laying direction. The feeding mechanism is a material cylinder 41, which is rotatably mounted on the flange 1.

[0135] The tensioning mechanism 32 consists of a brake 321, a floating roller 323, a spring, and a displacement sensor. The brake 321 is connected to the tensioning sleeve 322. The friction between the tensioning sleeve 322 and the brake 321 is adjusted by controlling the air flow of the brake 321. The floating roller 323 can move radially along the flange 1 via the slider guide rail 326 and the tension is adjusted by the spring. The spring is connected to the displacement sensor. The tension of the filament bundle is determined by the spring displacement and then actively regulated by controlling the air flow of the brake 321.

[0136] Above flange 1 is flange cover 327. Four sets of slider guide rails 326 are symmetrically arranged on flange cover 327, and their positions are paired with the screw spools 311 on flange 1. The slider guide rails 326 are radially along flange 1. Each end of slider guide rail 326 has a spring bracket 325, which connects the spring to the slider guide rail 326 and the spring bracket 325 to restrict the slider sliding. A displacement sensor is connected to the spring. Floating roller 323 is sleeved on floating roller shaft 324 through bearing. Floating roller shaft 324 is fixed on slider guide rail 326 on flange cover 327.

[0137] During the automatic filament laying process, the filament bundle passes around the floating roller 323, and the tension is passively adjusted by the elastic force generated by the spring deformation. At the same time, the displacement sensor on the spring detects the amount of spring deformation, determines the filament bundle tension, and then actively regulates the tension by controlling the air supply of the brake 321.

[0138] The brake 321 can change the rotational resistance between the expansion sleeve 322 and the brake 321 by controlling the air supply. The expansion sleeve 322 is coaxially fixed with the wire drum 311, which can then change the rotational speed of the wire drum 311 to achieve active tension control.

[0139] The floating roller 323 is sleeved on the floating roller shaft 324 through the bearing. The floating roller shaft 324 is fixed on the slider guide rail 326 on the flange cover 327. The guide wheel 312 is divided into two groups and installed on the two frame side plates 2. When feeding the yarn, the yarn bundle is wound down from the yarn drum 311, passes through the floating roller 323 and the guide wheel 312 and enters the yarn path 317. The yarn bundle is guided to the pressure roller 38 position by the yarn path 317 arranged alternately on the front and rear sides of the fixed plate. The four yarn bundles are combined into a wide band without overlap or gap.

[0140] Heating assembly 37 includes heater bracket 372 and laser heater 371. The laser heater 371 is mounted on the wire guide side plate via heater bracket 372 and is located between the wire bundle and the working surface. The heater bracket 372 can rotate around its axis to adjust the laser heating direction.

[0141] The pressure roller 38 is a flexible pressure roller that compacts complex planar filament bundles.

[0142] The 3D printing unit 4 includes a material cylinder 41, a feeding assembly, a heat dissipation assembly 46, and a heating assembly 47;

[0143] The material cylinder 41 is rotatably mounted on the flange 1 and the two material cylinders 41 are symmetrical about the wire laying unit 3.

[0144] The feeding assembly includes a motor, a conveying roller 42, a pressure roller 43, a bracket, and a throat 45. During operation, the printing filament 7 is fed between the pressure roller 43 and the conveying roller 42 and pressed. The motor drives the conveying roller 42 to rotate and feed the filament.

[0145] The pressure roller 43 can be adjusted by adjusting the stud 44 to facilitate yarn feeding and unloading.

[0146] The heat dissipation assembly 46 includes a heat sink 461 and a cooling fan 462, with the cooling fan 462 located on one side of the heat sink 461.

[0147] As an additional implementation, the support plate 332 is connected to the mounting plate via a quick-release mechanism 39.

[0148] The quick-release mechanism 39 includes a U-shaped block 394, a connecting post 393, a quick-release wrench 391, a lower rotating shaft 392 on the U-shaped block 394, and an upper rotating shaft 395 on the quick-release wrench 391.

[0149] The U-shaped block 394 is fixed to the mounting plate. The U-shaped block 394 rotates and engages with the bottom end of the connecting post 393 via the lower rotating shaft 392. The support plate 332 has a slot for the connecting post 393 to pass through. The end of the connecting post 393 away from the lower rotating shaft 392 rotates and engages with the upper rotating shaft 395. The upper rotating shaft 395 and the lower rotating shaft 392 are spatially perpendicular. The quick-release wrench 391 rotates and engages with the upper rotating shaft 395. The upper rotating shaft 395 clamps the support plate 332 between the quick-release wrench 391 and the U-shaped block 394. By rotating the quick-release wrench 391, the support plate 332 is pressed tightly onto the U-shaped block 394 to achieve fixation.

[0150] The high-efficiency molding equipment of this invention can be integrated into a six-axis robot.

[0151] It should be noted that during manufacturing, the equipment must first be adjusted to standby mode, including feeding the filament bundle into the filament path near the exit position, feeding the printing filament 7 between the pressure roller 43 and the conveying roller 42 and clamping it, etc.

[0152] In addition, necessary procedures such as path planning and layer design are required before processing.

[0153] Taking the fabrication of the ant-leg sandwich carbon fiber structural component 8 as an example, the complete workflow of this invention is as follows:

[0154] First, the base plate 83 is laid out. The filament placement unit 3 is extended downwards by the slide cylinder 5, and the 3D printing units 4 on both sides are raised to their highest positions to prevent interference.

[0155] The heavy feed motor 341 rotates, which drives the main heavy feed shaft 343 to rotate via the synchronous belt pulley. The main heavy feed shaft 343 drives the secondary heavy feed shaft 344 to rotate via the synchronous gear 342. The secondary heavy feed shaft 344 is pressed against the heavy feed pressure roller 345 for feeding the yarn, while the other heavy feed pressure rollers are lifted.

[0156] After the base plate 83 is laid, the ant leg interlayer 82 is processed; at this time, all filament bundles are cut, the filament laying unit 3 is raised to the highest position by the slide cylinder 5, and the required print head is moved downward to carry out the 3D printing process.

[0157] After the processing of the ant leg interlayer 82 is completed, the top plate 81 is laid, the previous mode switching action is performed, and the automatic wire laying process is carried out.

[0158] By performing mechanical analysis before processing, the appropriate pressure for the core layer is determined. Feedback is then provided through pressure sensor 381 to keep the pressure of pressure roller 38 within the optimal pressure range and prevent parts from being crushed.

[0159] After all processes are completed, all components return to their initial positions.

[0160] This invention ingeniously integrates automatic filament placement equipment with 3D printing equipment, rationally plans the feeding path for automatic filament placement and 3D printing, and realizes safe and quick switching between the two modes.

[0161] To address the process requirements of combining automated filament placement with 3D printing, a single placement device can meet both processing needs. Compared to the traditional manufacturing method of combining automated filament placement with 3D printing in blocks and then gluing, production efficiency is increased by about 50%, while the mechanical properties of the parts are improved by 20%.

[0162] The pressure of the pressure rollers in the traditional automatic filament placement process has been optimized, and the pressure of the lower structure with different structures and processes has been controlled to prevent parts from being crushed during processing.

[0163] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "longitudinal", "lateral", "up", "down", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this invention, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this invention.

[0164] The embodiments described above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Various modifications and improvements made by those skilled in the art to the technical solutions of the present invention without departing from the spirit of the present invention should fall within the protection scope defined by the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A high-efficiency molding equipment for thermoplastic carbon fiber composite materials, characterized in that, include: Base structure; The filament placement unit (3) is vertically mounted on the base structure. The filament placement unit (3) includes a mounting plate, a filament placement mechanism, and at least one filament feeding mechanism. The feed end of the filament feeding mechanism is connected to a filament bundle guiding component, which is used to place thermoplastic carbon fiber composite material. The discharge end of the filament feeding mechanism is connected to the feed end of the filament placement mechanism. At least one 3D printing unit (4) is vertically mounted on the base structure. The 3D printing unit (4) is located on one side of the filament placement unit (3). The feeding end of the 3D printing unit (4) is connected to at least one feeding mechanism, which is used to place 3D printing material.

2. The high-efficiency molding equipment for thermoplastic carbon fiber composite materials according to claim 1, characterized in that, The base structure includes: Flange (1); The frame side plate (2) is fixed to the bottom of the flange (1). There are two frame side plates (2), and the wire laying unit (3) is located between the two frame side plates (2). The mounting plate is lifted and lowered on the inner side of the frame side plate (2) by being connected to the movable end of the slide cylinder (5); The 3D printing unit (4) is lifted and positioned on the outside of the frame side plate (2) by connecting to the movable end of another slide cylinder (5); The fixed end of the slide cylinder (5) is fixedly connected to the side plate (2) of the frame.

3. The high-efficiency molding equipment for thermoplastic carbon fiber composite materials according to claim 1, characterized in that, The wire feeding mechanism includes a wire path (317) opened on the mounting plate and a clamping assembly (33), a refeeding assembly (34), and a shearing assembly (35) sequentially connected to the mounting plate along the material conveying direction of the wire path (317).

4. The high-efficiency molding equipment for thermoplastic carbon fiber composite materials according to claim 3, characterized in that, The clamping assembly (33) includes: The support plate (332) is fixedly connected to the mounting plate; A clamping wheel (334) is rotatably connected to the mounting plate, and the clamping wheel (334) is located on the feed end side of the feed path (317); A clamping roller (333) is arranged opposite to the clamping wheel (334), and the clamping roller (333) is movably arranged on the mounting plate to adjust the distance between the clamping roller (333) and the clamping wheel (334); The thermoplastic carbon fiber composite material output from the discharge end of the filament guide assembly passes between the clamping wheel (334) and the clamping pressure roller (333) and enters the feed port of the filament path (317).

5. The high-efficiency molding equipment for thermoplastic carbon fiber composite materials according to claim 3, characterized in that, The retransmission component (34) includes: The rechargeable motor (341) has its fixed end fixedly connected to the mounting plate; The heavy-duty conveying shaft is shaft-connected to the output shaft of the heavy-duty conveying motor (341), and the heavy-duty conveying shaft is rotatably mounted on the mounting plate; A heavy-duty pressure roller (345) is arranged opposite to the heavy-duty shaft. The heavy-duty pressure roller (345) is movably arranged on the mounting plate to adjust the distance between the heavy-duty pressure roller (345) and the heavy-duty shaft. The thermoplastic carbon fiber composite material is pressed onto the feed shaft by the feed roller (345), and the thermoplastic carbon fiber composite material is moved in the wire path (317) by the rotation of the feed shaft.

6. The high-efficiency molding equipment for thermoplastic carbon fiber composite materials according to claim 3, characterized in that, The shearing component (35) includes: The cutter pad (352) is fixed inside the thread path (317); A cutter (351) is disposed opposite to the cutter pad (352), and the cutter (351) is movably disposed on the mounting plate to adjust the distance between the cutter (351) and the cutter pad (352); The thermoplastic carbon fiber composite material passes between the cutter (351) and the cutter pad (352), and the material is cut by the movement of the cutter (351) toward the cutter pad (352).

7. The high-efficiency molding equipment for thermoplastic carbon fiber composite materials according to claim 3, characterized in that, The filament laying mechanism includes a pressure roller (38) rotatably connected to the mounting plate and a heating component (37) disposed on the opposite side of the pressure roller (38). The heating component (37) is fixed to the mounting plate, and the discharge end of the filament path (317) is connected to the feed end of the pressure roller (38).

8. The high-efficiency molding equipment for thermoplastic carbon fiber composite materials according to claim 3, characterized in that, There are multiple wire feeding mechanisms, and the wire paths (317) of the wire feeding mechanisms are staggered on both sides of the mounting plate. The wire paths (317) of two wire feeding mechanisms located on the same side are spaced apart.

9. The high-efficiency molding equipment for thermoplastic carbon fiber composite materials according to claim 4, characterized in that, The filament delivery assembly includes: A spool (311) is used to wind thermoplastic carbon fiber composite material, and the discharge end of the spool (311) is connected to the feed end of the tensioning mechanism (32). The movable end of the brake (321) is coaxially fixed to the spool (311) via a shrink sleeve (322), and the fixed end of the brake (321) is fixed to the flange (1) via a flange cover (327). The tensioning mechanism (32) includes: A slider guide rail (326) is fixed on the flange cover (327). A slider is provided on the slider guide rail (326). The slider slides radially along the flange cover (327). Spring frames (325) are fixed to both ends of the slider guide rail (326). A spring is provided between the slider and the spring frame (325). One end of the spring is fixed to the spring frame (325), and the other end of the spring is fixed to the slider. A floating roller shaft (324) is fixedly connected to the slider at its top end, and a floating roller (323) is coaxially rotatably mounted on the floating roller shaft (324); The guide wheel (312) is rotatably connected to the mounting plate via the guide wheel bracket (313); The thermoplastic carbon fiber composite material wound on the spool (311) passes sequentially through the floating roller shaft (324) and the guide wheel (312) between the clamping wheel (334) and the clamping pressure roller (333).

10. The high-efficiency molding equipment for thermoplastic carbon fiber composite materials according to claim 9, characterized in that, A displacement sensor is connected to the spring.

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