A tooling for forming T-shaped ring ribs with tapered composite materials

Abstract

This utility model discloses a molding fixture for a tapered composite material T-shaped ring reinforcement, comprising: a base; a lower core mold mounted on the base, having a profile matching the inner surface of the lower "L" layer of the tapered composite material T-shaped ring reinforcement; and an outer mold fitted around the outer side of the lower core mold, having a profile matching the outer surface of the tapered composite material T-shaped ring reinforcement, the outer mold being mounted on the base. This utility model achieves a combined application of tapered composite material T-shaped ring reinforcement, simplifying the application process. It also meets the molding pressure requirements of the part through the combined pressure of bolts and vacuum bags, improving the performance of the part. Since both the inner and outer surfaces of the part are coated, the appearance quality of the part is improved. Furthermore, the inclusion of demolding screws increases production efficiency and reduces production costs.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of composite material molding technology, specifically relating to a T-shaped ring reinforcement molding tool for composite materials with tapered shape. Background Technology

[0002] Composite materials are widely used in the aerospace field due to their advantages such as high specific strength, high specific stiffness, and strong design flexibility. Stiffeners are a widely used reinforcing structure in aviation and aerospace vehicles. Generally, stiffeners are used perpendicular to the panel direction on the inner side of the structure to improve the stiffness and load-bearing capacity of the panel and the overall structure. Stiffeners and panels can be made as a single unit or connected by adhesive bonding, riveting, or fasteners. Common stiffening forms include "L," "C," "Z," "T," "I," "J," "Ω," and cap-shaped stiffeners.

[0003] T-shaped ring ribs of composite materials are a common reinforcement structure inside cylindrical parts. However, due to the difficulty of tooling design and manufacturing, as well as the difficulty of molding process, T-shaped ring ribs are mostly formed by combining the inner shape mold and the outer bag surface mold. T-shaped ring ribs formed by this type of mold have defects such as uneven pressure of the vertical ribs and poor shape quality. Utility Model Content

[0004] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this utility model provides a tooling for forming T-shaped ring ribs with tapered composite materials. This tooling enables the combined application of T-shaped ring ribs with tapered composite materials, simplifies the application process, and meets the forming pressure requirements of the parts by using bolts and vacuum bags for pressure application, thereby improving the performance of the parts. The parts have film-coated surfaces on both the inside and outside, improving the appearance quality of the parts. At the same time, the addition of demolding screws improves production efficiency and reduces production costs.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by this utility model is as follows:

[0006] In a first aspect, a tooling for forming a T-shaped ring reinforcement of a tapered composite material is provided, comprising: a base; a lower core mold mounted on the base and having a profile matching the inner surface of the lower "L" layer of the T-shaped ring reinforcement of the tapered composite material; and an outer mold sleeved on the outside of the lower core mold and having a profile matching the outer surface of the T-shaped ring reinforcement of the tapered composite material, the outer mold being mounted on the base.

[0007] Furthermore, the outer mold includes a molding body for forming a T-shaped ring rib of tapered composite material and a flange for connecting the base.

[0008] Furthermore, the height of the molded body is greater than the height of the lower core mold, and the portion of the molded body that extends above the lower core mold forms an upper "L" layer laying area with a tapered composite material T-shaped ring rib on the upper surface of the lower core mold.

[0009] Furthermore, the flange is perpendicular to the axis of the molded body.

[0010] Furthermore, the outer mold is connected to the base by a locking screw, and the flange and the base are respectively provided with locking screw holes that match the locking screw.

[0011] Furthermore, it also includes a pin for positioning the outer mold, and the flange and the base are respectively provided with pin holes that match the pin.

[0012] Furthermore, it also includes a release screw for demolding the outer mold, and the flange is provided with a release screw hole that matches the release screw.

[0013] Furthermore, a number of lifting rings are respectively provided on the flange and the base.

[0014] In a second aspect, a method for forming a tapered composite material T-shaped ring reinforcement is provided, employing the tooling described in the first aspect. The method includes: fabricating a lower "L" layer of the tapered composite material T-shaped ring reinforcement on a lower core mold, and fabricating a "ring"-shaped layer of the tapered composite material T-shaped ring reinforcement on the outer side of the lower "L" layer; fitting an outer mold onto the outer side of the lower core mold and locking it with a base to pre-compress the lower "L" layer of the tapered composite material T-shaped ring reinforcement and the corresponding "ring"-shaped layer; fabricating an upper "L" layer of the tapered composite material T-shaped ring reinforcement on the upper surface of the lower "L" layer and the inner surface of the "ring"-shaped layer above the lower "L" layer; performing vacuum bag forming to completely enclose the area where the outer mold and lower core mold are located; and demolding to obtain the tapered composite material T-shaped ring reinforcement.

[0015] Furthermore, the R-corner area formed by the lower "L" layer and the "ring" shaped layer is filled with twisted strips.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects achieved by this utility model are as follows: This utility model, by setting a lower core mold with a profile matching the inner surface of the lower "L" layer of the tapered composite material T-shaped ring reinforcement, installed on the base; and an outer mold with a profile matching the outer surface of the tapered composite material T-shaped ring reinforcement, fitted on the outside of the lower core mold, decomposes the laying process of the tapered composite material T-shaped ring reinforcement into the laying of the lower "L" layer, the upper "L" layer, and the "ring" layer, and applies pressure in stages, that is, completely enclosing the lower core mold and the laid carbon fiber preform on the base. Vacuum bagging is used to wrap the preform. The lower half of the preform (lower "L" layer) is pressurized by the bolts and the vacuum bag, while the upper half of the preform (upper "L" layer) and the flange edge are pressurized by the vacuum bag. The preform is subjected to uniform and reliable pressure. This method achieves combined laying of T-shaped ring ribs with tapered composite materials, which simplifies the laying process. The combined pressure of bolts and vacuum bags meets the forming pressure requirements of the preform, improving its performance. Both the inner and outer surfaces of the preform are film-coated, improving its appearance quality. At the same time, the installation of demolding screws improves production efficiency and reduces production costs. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the T-shaped ring reinforcement with tapered composite material in an embodiment of the present invention, wherein (a) is a perspective view and (b) is a partial cross-sectional view of (a);

[0018] Figure 2 This is an isometric view of a T-shaped ring reinforcement forming tool with tapered composite material provided in this embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 3 This is a simplified diagram illustrating the bag compression principle of a method for forming a T-shaped ring reinforcement of a tapered composite material according to an embodiment of this utility model.

[0020] Figure 4 This is an exploded view of a T-shaped ring reinforcement forming fixture (containing a T-shaped ring reinforcement made of tapered composite material) provided in an embodiment of this utility model.

[0021] In the diagram: 1. Base; 2. Lower core mold; 3. Outer mold; 4. Demolding screw; 5. Locking screw; 6. Pin; 7. Lifting ring; 8. T-shaped ring rib with tapered composite material; 81. Lower "L" layer; 82. Upper "L" layer; 83. "Ring" shaped layer; 9. Vacuum bag. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following embodiments are only used to more clearly illustrate the technical solution of the present invention, and should not be used to limit the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0023] Example 1

[0024] like Figures 1-4 As shown, a tooling for forming a T-shaped ring rib with tapered composite material includes: a base 1; a lower core mold 2 mounted on the base 1, having a profile that matches the inner surface of the lower "L" layer 81 of the T-shaped ring rib with tapered composite material; and an outer mold 3 sleeved on the outside of the lower core mold 2, having a profile that matches the outer surface of the T-shaped ring rib with tapered composite material, the outer mold 3 being mounted on the base 1.

[0025] The outer mold 3 includes a molding body for molding the tapered composite material T-shaped ring rib and a flange for connecting the base 1. The height of the molding body is greater than the height of the lower core mold 2, and the portion of the molding body that extends beyond the lower core mold 2 forms the upper "L" layer 82 of the tapered composite material T-shaped ring rib 8 with the upper surface of the lower core mold 2. The flange is perpendicular to the axis of the molding body.

[0026] The outer mold 3 is connected to the base 1 by locking screws 5. The flange and the base 1 are respectively provided with locking screw holes that match the locking screws 5.

[0027] The flange and the base 1 are respectively provided with pin holes. The pin 6 cooperates with the pin hole to position the outer mold 3, thereby improving the molding accuracy and molding quality of the T-shaped ring reinforcement with tapered composite material.

[0028] The flange is provided with a demolding screw hole. The demolding screw 4 cooperates with the demolding screw hole to achieve rapid demolding, which improves production efficiency and reduces production costs.

[0029] Several lifting rings 7 are respectively provided on the flange and the base 1. The lifting rings on the flange are used for mold closing and demolding to improve production efficiency. The lifting rings 7 on the base 1 are used for transporting the base 1.

[0030] In use, the pre-cut carbon fiber prepreg is laid on the surface of the lower core mold 2 using a cutting machine. The laying layer consists of a lower "L" layer 81 that adheres to the surface of the lower core mold 2 and a "ring"-shaped layer 83 that adheres to the outer mold 3. The upper half of the outer "ring" layer 83 is left with a margin exceeding the height of the part. The lower core mold 2, together with the laid carbon fiber prepreg, is placed in the center of the base 1, or the lower core mold 2 is placed in the center of the base 1 before laying the prepreg, and then locked in place. Screws 5 and pins 6 connect and fix the outer mold 3 to the base 1. At the same time, the locking process of the outer mold 3 pre-compacts the lower core mold 2 and the outer ring carbon fiber prepreg. The "ring" shaped layer 83 above the lower core mold 2 unfolds outward and is laid onto the surface of the outer mold 3. The R-corner area formed by the lower "L" layer 81 and the "ring" shaped layer 83 is filled with tweezers. Then, the "L" layer 82 is laid on the upper surface of the lower "L" layer 81 and the inner surface area of ​​the upper "ring" shaped layer 83. Finally, the overall laying quality is checked and the laying is completed.

[0031] like Figure 3 , Figure 4As shown, the mold body and the laid carbon fiber preform are completely wrapped in a vacuum bag on the base 1. The lower half of the preform is subjected to pressure from the bolts and the vacuum bag 9. The upper half of the part and the flange are subjected to pressure from the vacuum bag. The part is subjected to uniform and reliable pressure as a whole.

[0032] The part is cured and molded using an autoclave process according to the curing regime. After curing, the part is taken out of the autoclave and cooled to room temperature. Then, the locking screws 5 and pins 6 are removed. The outer mold 3 is lifted by turning the demolding screws 4 and then separated from the small end of the part along the axis of the molded body. After the lower core mold 2 cools down to room temperature, its volume shrinks by a certain amount. In addition, the part's own taper (draft angle) is also taken into account. The demolding can be completed by gently tapping with a rubber mallet.

[0033] This utility model tooling meets the molding requirements of T-shaped ring ribs made of tapered composite materials. The tooling adopts a combined laying method of upper "L" layer, lower "L" layer, and "ring" shaped layer, simplifying the laying process and improving the performance of the manufactured part. Two-thirds of the surface of this utility model tooling is the film-coated surface, resulting in high molding quality. This utility model tooling uses bolts and vacuum bag pressure in the lower half and vacuum bag pressure in the upper half for overall pressure application, ensuring uniform and stable pressure on the manufactured part. Demolding is safe and reliable using ejection screws. The tooling is easy to assemble and disassemble, simple to operate, lightweight, flexible, and easy to transport. It requires low operator skill levels, greatly reducing the labor intensity of operators. This utility model tooling uses simple machined parts and standard parts, resulting in a simple and compact overall structure, convenient installation and maintenance, low manufacturing cost, and reliable operation.

[0034] Example 2

[0035] Based on the tapered composite material T-shaped ring reinforcement forming tooling described in Embodiment 1, this embodiment provides a method for forming tapered composite material T-shaped ring reinforcements, including:

[0036] On the lower core mold 2, a lower "L" layer of tapered composite material T-shaped ring rib 8 is made, and a "ring" shaped layer of tapered composite material T-shaped ring rib 8 is made on the outside of the lower "L" layer; the R-corner area formed by the lower "L" layer and the "ring" shaped layer is filled with twist strips.

[0037] The outer mold 3 is fitted onto the outside of the lower core mold 2 and locked with the base 1, forming a pre-compression of the lower "L" layer of the tapered composite material T-shaped ring rib 8 and the "ring"-shaped layer corresponding to the lower "L" layer.

[0038] An upper "L" layer with tapered composite material T-shaped ring reinforcement 8 is fabricated on the upper surface of the lower "L" layer and on the inner surface of the "ring"-shaped layer above the lower "L" layer.

[0039] Vacuum bag forming is performed by completely enclosing the areas containing the outer mold 3 and the lower core mold 2.

[0040] Demolding yields a T-shaped ring reinforcement 8 of tapered composite material.

[0041] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present utility model. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, several improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the technical principles of the present utility model, and these improvements and modifications should also be considered within the protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A compound T-ring muscle forming tool with taper, characterized in that, include: Base (1); A lower core mold (2) mounted on the base (1) has a profile that matches the inner surface of the lower "L" layer of the tapered composite material T-shaped ring rib (8). An outer mold (3) with a profile matching the outer surface of the tapered composite material T-shaped ring rib (8) is fitted on the outside of the lower core mold (2) and is mounted on the base (1).

2. The tapered composite T-ring muscle forming tooling of claim 1, wherein, The outer mold (3) includes a molding body for forming a tapered composite material T-shaped ring rib (8) and a flange for connecting the base (1).

3. The composite T-ring muscle forming tooling with taper according to claim 2, characterized in that, The height of the molded body is greater than the height of the lower core mold (2), and the part of the molded body that is higher than the lower core mold (2) forms an upper "L" layer laying area with the upper surface of the lower core mold (2) of the tapered composite material T-shaped ring rib (8).

4. The composite T-ring muscle forming tooling with taper according to claim 2, wherein, The flange is perpendicular to the axis of the molded body.

5. The composite T-ring muscle forming tooling with taper according to claim 2, wherein, The outer mold (3) is connected to the base (1) by a locking screw (5), and the flange and the base (1) are respectively provided with locking screw holes that match the locking screw (5).

6. The tooling for forming T-shaped ring ribs with tapered composite materials according to claim 2, characterized in that, It also includes a pin (6) for positioning the outer mold (3), and the flange and the base (1) are respectively provided with pin holes that match the pin (6).

7. The tooling for forming T-shaped ring ribs with tapered composite materials according to claim 2, characterized in that, It also includes a demolding screw (4) for demolding the outer mold (3), and the flange is provided with a demolding screw hole that matches the demolding screw (4).

8. The tooling for forming T-shaped ring ribs with tapered composite materials according to claim 2, characterized in that, Several lifting rings are respectively provided on the flange and the base (1).

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