SMC and LFT-D integrated composite material mould pressing production line

Abstract

An SMC and LFT-D integrated composite material mold pressing production line comprises an extruder, a creel, a particle bin, a heat preservation conveying belt, an SMC automatic cutting machine, an SMC rack, a conveying belt, a feeding robot, a feeding robot ground rail, an SMC weighing and placing table, a pressing machine, a discharging robot, a finished product conveying belt, an oil circulation mold temperature controller, a water circulation mold temperature controller, a cooling-water machine, a man-machine interaction system and a master control system. The SMC production process production line and the LFT-D production process production line are integrated together and share the feeding robot, the pressing machine, the discharging robot and the die changing trolley, switching of the two production processes is controlled by the man-machine interaction system, automatic production of products of the two production processes can be completed, the occupied area of a production site is reduced, and the production efficiency is improved. The equipment investment is reduced, and the production efficiency is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of composite material molding technology, and in particular to an integrated SMC and LFT-D composite material molding production line. Background Technology

[0002] SMC (Sheet Molding Compound) is a manufacturing process for sheet-molded resin composite materials. In the SMC molding process, the protective film on the sheet-like raw material is first removed, then it is cut into the required shape. Next, the layers are laid up in a mold, and finally, the material is hot-pressed into the final product. Traditional SMC molding processes require manual handling of raw material removal, cutting, laying up, and weighing, which is inefficient. Furthermore, the material must be laid up in a high-temperature mold before the press is controlled for molding.

[0003] LFT-D molding process (Long-Fiber Reinforced Thermoplastic Direct) is a process technology for long fiber reinforced thermoplastic composite materials. In the production process, thermoplastic resin matrices such as PP, PA, and PC are heated to a molten state and then mixed with fiber reinforcements such as glass fiber and carbon fiber. The two materials are mixed by a screw extruder and then extruded into a preform through a die. The high-temperature preform is manually removed and placed into a mold, where it is pressed into a finished product. Finally, the finished product is removed manually from the press. Throughout the entire process, production personnel need to wear high-temperature gloves when loading and unloading materials.

[0004] The two composite material production processes mentioned above require a lot of manual labor and have a low degree of automation, resulting in low production efficiency and safety hazards. On the other hand, both processes require two production lines, occupying a large production space and requiring a high investment.

[0005] To address the aforementioned issues, we propose a technical solution for an integrated SMC and LFT-D composite material molding production line. Utility Model Content

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to enable SMC and LFT-D production lines to operate on the same line, thereby improving automation and reducing production costs.

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

[0008] An integrated SMC and LFTD composite material molding production line includes an extruder, yarn rack, particle hopper, insulated conveyor belt, SMC automated cutting machine, SMC material rack, conveyor belt, loading robot, loading robot ground rail, SMC weighing and unloading platform, press, unloading robot, finished product conveyor belt, oil circulating mold temperature controller, water circulating mold temperature controller, chiller, human-machine interaction system, and main control system; the yarn rack and particle hopper are located on the left side of the extruder. Long fibers are placed on the yarn rack, and the screw of the extruder winds the long fibers in. The thermoplastic resin matrix is ​​drawn into the particle hopper by the extruder, and the long fibers and... The thermoplastic resin matrix is ​​mixed and heated in an extruder, and then the extruded blank is shaped and extruded through the extruder die. The blank is conveyed to a predetermined position by an insulated conveyor belt. The SMC automated cutting machine, SMC material rack, conveyor belt, loading robot, loading robot rail, and SMC weighing and unloading platform are located on the left side of the press. The loading robot moves on the loading robot rail and picks up the blank from the insulated conveyor belt or the SMC weighing and unloading platform and places it into the press die. The unloading robot and finished product conveyor belt are located on the right side of the press. The unloading robot places the pressed parts onto the finished product conveyor belt.

[0009] The aforementioned integrated SMC and LFTD composite material molding production line has a mold changing trolley and a mold changing trolley ground rail on the right side of the press, and the mold changing trolley moves along the mold changing trolley ground rail.

[0010] The aforementioned integrated SMC and LFTD composite material molding production line is equipped with a human-machine interaction system that controls the mutual conversion between the two production processes of SMC and LFTD.

[0011] This utility model has the following advantages:

[0012] This invention integrates the SMC production line and the LFT-D production line, which share the same feeding robot, press, unloading robot, and mold changing trolley. The switching between the two production processes is controlled by a human-machine interaction system, which can automate the production of products using both processes, reduce the land area required for production, reduce equipment investment, and improve production efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of the present invention;

[0014] Figure 2 This is a top view of the present invention;

[0015] The labels in the diagram represent: 1. Extruder, 1-1. Yarn rack, 1-2. Particle hopper, 1-3. Extruder die, 1-4. Insulated conveyor belt, 2. SMC automated cutting machine, 2-1. SMC material rack, 2-2. Conveyor belt, 3. Loading robot, 3-1. Loading robot ground rail, 4. SMC weighing and unloading platform, 5. Manual operation area, 6. Press, 7. Unloading robot, 8. Finished product conveyor belt, 9. Oil circulating mold temperature controller, 10. Water circulating mold temperature controller, 11. Chiller, 12. Mold changing trolley, 12-1. Mold changing trolley ground rail, 13. Human-machine interaction system, 14. Main control system. Detailed Implementation

[0016] This utility model discloses an integrated SMC and LFT-D composite material molding production line, such as Figure 1 , Figure 2 As shown, the overall control system 14 establishes a signal connection with all equipment in the production line; the equipment in the SMC process production line includes an SMC automated cutting machine 2, a feeding robot 3, an SMC weighing and unloading platform 4, a press 6, a unloading robot 7, a finished product conveyor belt 8, an oil circulating mold temperature controller 9, a mold changing trolley 12, and a human-machine interaction system 13; the equipment in the LFT-D process production line includes an extruder 1, a feeding robot 3, a press 6, an unloading robot 7, a finished product conveyor belt 8, a water circulating mold temperature controller 10, a chiller 11, a mold changing trolley 12, and a human-machine interaction system 13; the automated production lines for the two processes can share one press 6, a feeding robot 3, an unloading robot 7, a finished product conveyor belt 8, and a mold changing trolley 12.

[0017] This utility model discloses an integrated SMC and LFT-D composite material molding production line. During automatic production, the LFT-D or SMC production process is selected via the main control panel switch of the human-machine interface system 13. After selecting the process, the production line operates automatically according to the selected process.

[0018] This utility model discloses an integrated SMC and LFT-D composite material molding production line. The operating principle of the automated SMC production line includes the following steps:

[0019] Step 1: Manually place the SMC raw material onto the SMC material rack 2-1, and then the SMC automated cutting machine 2 unwinds, tears the film, and cuts it according to the set program.

[0020] Step 2: The cut single pieces of material are conveyed to the designated area by conveyor belt 2-2 and picked up by the loading robot 3 and placed on the SMC weighing and unloading platform 4.

[0021] Step 3: The feeding robot 3 completes the placement of all the material sheets on the weighing and placement platform 4. If necessary, the weighing and placement platform 4 can be moved to the manual work area 5 for manual intervention in the layering of the material sheets.

[0022] Step 4: Depending on the specific product requirements, the pre-embedded parts can be pre-installed in the mold of the press 6 by the unloading robot 7.

[0023] Step 5: The feeding robot 3 grabs all the material pieces at once and puts them into the press 6 to achieve automatic material placement in the mold.

[0024] Step 6: Press 6 molds the SMC sheet according to the set parameters.

[0025] Step 7: The formed product is taken out by the unloading robot 7 and placed on the finished product conveyor belt 8.

[0026] Step 8: Enter the next loop and repeat steps 1 through 7 above.

[0027] This utility model discloses an integrated SMC and LFT-D composite material molding production line. The operating principle of the LFT-D automated production line includes the following steps:

[0028] Step 1: Manually place a certain amount of glass fiber, carbon fiber or other fiber bundles on the yarn rack 1-1, and put the thermoplastic plastic particle raw materials such as PP, PA, PC into the particle hopper 1-2.

[0029] Step 2: Extruder 1 mixes and extrudes the preform containing fiber sand and plastic particles according to the set parameters and proportions, and cuts it into the set length through the extruder die 1-3. The preform is then conveyed to the designated position by the heat-insulated conveyor belt 1-4.

[0030] Step 3: Depending on the specific product requirements, the pre-embedded parts can be pre-installed in the mold of the press 6 by the unloading robot 7.

[0031] Step 4: When the billet reaches the designated position via the insulated conveyor belt 1-4, the loading robot 3 automatically tracks and grabs it, positioning and laying it in the mold of the press 6 according to the set program. By adjusting the movement of the robot 6 and the insulated conveyor belt 1-4, up to four billets can be grabbed and positioned simultaneously.

[0032] Step 5: Press 6 performs molding according to the set process.

[0033] Step 6: After the molding process is completed, the unloading robot 7 will grab the molded part from the mold in the press 6 and place it on the finished product conveyor belt 8.

[0034] Step 7: Enter the next loop and repeat steps 1 through 6 above.

[0035] This utility model discloses an integrated SMC and LFT-D composite material molding production line. The oil-circulating mold temperature controller 9 is used for controlling the temperature of the SMC thermosetting material molding die. It heats the upper and lower dies separately via heat transfer oil and has the ability to regulate the die temperature. The heat transfer oil is heated within the oil-circulating mold temperature controller and then enters the oil circuit within the die through automatic valves and pipelines to heat the die. The heating temperature of the heat transfer oil is adjusted according to the die temperature to ensure a constant die temperature. The mold temperature controller has independent automatic temperature control functions for the upper and lower dies and includes safety protection measures such as temperature and pressure monitoring.

[0036] The water-circulating mold temperature controller 10 is used to control the temperature of LFT-D thermoplastic material molding dies. It heats and cools the upper and lower dies separately using a water medium, and has the ability to regulate the mold temperature. The water medium is heated and cooled within the water-circulating mold temperature controller, and then enters the water circuit within the mold through automatic valves and pipelines to heat and cool the mold. The temperature of the water medium is adjusted according to the mold temperature to ensure a constant mold temperature. The mold temperature controller features independent automatic temperature control for the upper and lower dies, and has safety protection measures such as temperature and pressure monitoring.

[0037] The chiller 11 is used for auxiliary cooling of the LFT-D mold. When the ambient temperature is too high and the water source temperature of the cooling tower is insufficient to maintain the low temperature required by the mold, the cooling water source of the water temperature controller is switched from the cooling tower to the chiller via a switch. The chiller improves the cooling efficiency of the mold by forcibly cooling and regulating the temperature of the water medium in the mold temperature controller.

Claims

1. An integrated SMC and LFT-D composite molding production line, characterized by: The application relates to an SMC and LFT-D integrated composite material mould pressing production line which comprises an extruder (1), a yarn rack (1-1), a particle bin (1-2), a heat preservation conveying belt (1-4), an SMC automatic cutting machine (2), an SMC material rack (2-1), a conveying belt (2-2), a feeding robot (3), a feeding robot ground rail (3-1), an SMC weighing and placing table (4), a pressing machine (6), a discharging robot (7), a finished product conveying belt (8), an oil circulating mould temperature machine (9), a water circulating mould temperature machine (10), a water chiller (11), a man-machine interaction system (13) and a general control system (14); the yarn rack (1-1) and the particle bin (1-2) are arranged on the left side of the extruder (1), long fibers are placed on the yarn rack (1-1), the long fibers are twisted into the extruder (1) by a screw rod, a thermoplastic resin matrix is sucked into the extruder (1) from the particle bin (1-2), the long fibers and the thermoplastic resin matrix are mixed and heated in the extruder (1), and then the mixed and heated long fibers and thermoplastic resin matrix are shaped and extruded into a blank by an extruder die (1-3), and the heat preservation conveying belt (1-4) conveys the blank to a predetermined position; the SMC automatic cutting machine (2), the SMC material rack (2-1), the conveying belt (2-2), the feeding robot (3), the feeding robot ground rail (3-1) and the SMC weighing and placing table (4) are arranged on the left side of the pressing machine (6), the feeding robot (3) moves on the feeding robot ground rail (3-1), the feeding robot (3) grabs the blank on the heat preservation conveying belt (1-4) or the SMC weighing and placing table (4) and places the blank in a mould of the pressing machine (6); the discharging robot (7) and the finished product conveying belt (8) are arranged on the right side of the pressing machine (6), and the discharging robot (7) places the finished product on the finished product conveying belt (8).

2. The integrated SMC and LFT-D composite material press production line according to claim 1, characterized in that: A mould changing trolley (12) and a mould changing trolley ground rail (12-1) are arranged on the right side of the pressing machine (6), and the mould changing trolley (12) moves along the mould changing trolley ground rail (12-1).

3. The integrated SMC and LFT-D composite material press production line according to claim 1, characterized in that: The SMC and LFT-D integrated composite material mould pressing production line is provided with the man-machine interaction system (13), and the man-machine interaction system (13) controls the mutual conversion of the SMC and LFT-D production processes.

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