ASSEMBLY FOR DETECTING FAILURES ON THE APPLICATION OF FIBER STRIPS BY A FIBER APPLICATION MACHINE

Abstract

The present invention relates to an assembly (10) comprising an application head (2) intended to apply several fiber strips (F) to a mold to form a part made of composite material, the application head (2) comprising: - conveying members (20) for the fiber strips (F), - a cutting member (22) for the fiber strips (F) arranged downstream of the conveying members (20), - an application roller (24) for the fiber strips (F) arranged downstream of the cutting member (22), and - a conveying die (26) for the fiber strips (F) from the cutting member (22) to the application roller (24), the assembly (10) comprises a detection device (9) integrated into the application head (2) and configured to detect the presence and / or absence of at least one of the fiber strips (F) in the application head (2). Figure for abstract: Figure 4

Description

Title of the invention: ASSEMBLY FOR DETECTING FAILURES ON AN APPLICATION OF BANDS OF FIBERS BY A FIBER APPLICATION MACHINE Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of manufacturing parts made of composite materials, in particular by a fiber application machine. The present invention relates more particularly to an assembly and a method for detecting failures in the application of fiber strips by a fiber application machine for producing parts made of composite materials. Technical background

[0002] Generally, a composite material part is formed from a fiber preform embedded in a polymer resin. The fiber preform may be the result of three-dimensional (3D) weaving or may be obtained by stacking (or otherwise said by draping) and superimposing several layers / folds of fibers (for example in the form of strips or ribbons). The resin may be injected into the fiber preform or the fiber preform may be pre-impregnated with the resin (also referred to as "pre-impregnated" or "prepreg" in English).

[0003] The stacking of the layers of fibers can be carried out manually or automatically by a suitable machine, in particular according to the AFP technique (acronym for “Automated Fiber Placement”) or the ATL technique (acronym for “Automated Tape Laying”).

[0004] [Fig.l] illustrates a fiber application machine 1 of the AFP or ATL type, for the application to a mold of a strip formed from several fibers pre-impregnated with resin.

[0005] The machine 1 comprises a fiber application head 2, a fiber storage member 3 and a device 4 for moving the application head 2 (or also known as an "effector"). The storage member 3 may be a creel comprising fiber strips F wound in the form of reels. The fiber strips F may be conveyed from the storage member 3 to the application head 2 by drive and guide means 5.

[0006] With reference to [Fig. 2], the application head 2 comprises conveying members 20 for the fiber strips F, a cutting member 22 and an application roller 24.

[0007] The application roller 24 is able to come into contact with the mold to apply the fiber strips F. For this purpose, the fiber strips F are fed from the feed members 20 to the application roller 24. The direction of feeding of the fiber strips F is indicated by an arrow in [Fig.2].

[0008] The conveying members 20 may comprise a roller 202 and a counter-roller 204. The roller 202 and the counter-roller 204 are mounted inside the application head 2. The strips of fibers F, coming from the storage member 3 and conveyed by the drive and guide means 5, pass between the roller 202 and the counter-roller 204. The strips of fibers F are then conveyed from the conveying member 20 to a conveying die 26 of the application head 2. The conveying die 26 is capable of connecting the cutting member 22, arranged downstream of the conveying member 20, to the application roller 24 which is arranged downstream of the cutting member 22.

[0009] A disadvantage of producing a part from composite material (in particular when the part has a complex geometry) by the fiber application machine described above is that production failures can occur when applying the fibers to the mold.

[0010] For example, the manufacturing failures in the fiber application machine may be as follows: - winding one or more strips of fibers around an axis of the drive and guide means, - a malfunction of the conveying components (for example the roller and / or counter-roller which are not actuated), - a malfunction of the cutting device (for example the knife not being activated or wear of the knife(s)), - wear of other elements of the fiber application machine.

[0011] The eradication of these failures is complicated to implement since some of these failures depend on different random parameters which are difficult to anticipate.

[0012] These manufacturing failures in the fiber application machine can lead to defects in the produced part, such as undeposited or excess fiber strips on the mold. Thus, the produced part may be discarded prematurely.

[0013] Another disadvantage of producing a composite material part using a fiber application machine is that an operator is required to monitor, in particular by means of a camera, the proper application of the fiber strips to the mold by the fiber application machine. Thus, the production of composite parts using a fiber application machine is not autonomous, and therefore does not allow the time and cost of producing the composite parts to be optimized.

[0014] Furthermore, almost all of the aforementioned failures appear before, or at the time of, cutting the fiber strips.

[0015] [Fig. 2] illustrates in particular three examples of blockages which may occur in the fiber application machine in operation, namely: (Bl) a blockage upstream of the application head 2 in the storage member 3 and / or the drive and guide means 5 (for example, a strip of fibers stuck, cut or stuck in the drive and guide means and / or in the storage member), (B2) a blockage at the level of the conveying members 20 (for example strip of fibers stuck on the roller and / or the counter-roller, roller and / or counter-roller not actuated, etc.), (B3) a blockage or absence of cutting at the cutting member 22 (for example the knife is not actuated, knife worn or the strip of fibers jammed by the knife, etc.).

[0016] The axes of the drive and guide means may be equipped with a position sensor to count only the rotational revolutions of these axes. The drive and guide means may comprise a first rotational axis for pulling the fiber strips and a second rotational axis located at the storage member to keep the fiber strips under tension. When a fiber strip is deposited on the mold, the first and second rotational axes must rotate in unison. An absence of fiber strips may be detected, as a failure of application of the fiber strips, by the position sensor when there is a difference in rotation between the axes. However, the position sensor does not allow reliable detection of all failures in the fiber application machine, in particular defects occurring during the routing of the fiber strip from the storage member to the application head.For example, fiber tape application failures that cannot be detected by the position sensor include: . - a misalignment of the fiber strips which can be generated by the second rotation axis which has a vertical movement, - a sliding of the fiber strips between the rotation axes, - a loss of data transmission that may occur due to the distance of several meters between the position sensors of the rotation axes.

[0017] It is also known to monitor the energy consumption of a motor (not visible in the figures) of the fiber application machine. This energy consumption is measured by a multimeter or an ammeter clamp for example. The fiber strips are conveyed by rotation axes of the drive and guide means which are driven by the motor. The increase in the The power consumption of this motor can be interpreted as a difficulty in conveying the fiber strips. Furthermore, the winding of one or more fiber strips around the rotation axes can result in a lack of fiber strips being deposited on the part to be produced. This winding can cause an increase in the power consumption of this motor (such as an increase in the motor torque due to the friction of the fiber strips in the application head). However, monitoring the power consumption of the machine's motor only allows the detection of the lack of fiber strips on the part to be produced and does not allow the detection of the other aforementioned failures, in particular in the application head or failures occurring downstream or upstream of the drive and guidance means.

[0018] The aim of the present invention is to overcome at least one of the aforementioned drawbacks by proposing in particular a fiber strip detection assembly for a fiber application machine which is compact, simple in design, and of reduced cost. Summary of the invention

[0019] The invention relates to an assembly comprising an application head intended to apply several strips of fibers to a mold to form a part made of composite material, the application head comprising: - fiber strip conveying devices, - a fiber strip cutting member arranged downstream of the conveying members, - a roller for applying the fiber strips placed downstream of the cutting device, and - a channel for conveying the fiber strips from the cutting member to the application roller.

[0020] According to the invention, the assembly comprises a detection device integrated into the application head and configured to detect the presence and / or absence of at least one of the fiber strips in the application head.

[0021] Thus, this solution makes it possible to achieve the aforementioned objective. In general, the invention makes it possible to detect defects at the application head by detecting the presence and / or absence of fiber bands. In order to detect a maximum of failures described in the technical background of the present application, a detection device is integrated directly into the application head (in particular between the cutting member and the application roller). Indeed, a failure occurring upstream of, or in, the application head results in either an abnormal presence or absence of at least one of the fiber bands at the the delivery channel which can be detected by the detection device of the invention.

[0022] The term "integrated into" means the integration of the detection device inside the application head (for example in a dedicated housing of the application head) or the detection device is attached to the application head (for example by fasteners).

[0023] The term “abnormal presence” means the presence of at least one strip of fibers in the conveying die, in particular after a cutting step by the cutting member while the application head is no longer depositing strips of fibers. This may be due, for example, to the aforementioned blockage (B3). The term “abnormal absence” means the absence of at least one strip of fibers in the conveying die, in particular before a cutting step or after re-routing of the strip of fibers by the conveying die, while the application head is depositing strips of fibers on the mold. This may be due, for example, to one of the aforementioned blockages (B1) or (B2).

[0024] The detection device at the application head (in particular the detection device in or under the application head) also makes it possible to protect the detection device from external phenomena, such as variation in light intensity, variation in distance, etc.

[0025] Furthermore, this solution can be easily adapted to all fiber application machines to form a composite material part, such as an ATL or AFP.

[0026] Finally, the entire invention is compact, simple to assemble and safer to use in a fiber application machine.

[0027] The assembly according to the invention may comprise one or more of the following characteristics, considered independently of one another or in combination with one another:

[0028] - the detection device is located between the cutting member and the roller of application,

[0029] - the detection device is arranged at least partly opposite and at a distance from the conveyor line and / or application roller,

[0030] - the fiber strips are arranged adjacently and in the same plane, the detection device is configured to detect the presence or absence of only one of the fiber bands,

[0031] - the detection device comprises several detection sensors being chosen among the group of optical fibers, a piezoelectric ultrasonic sensor, a laser or a camera associated with a light source,

[0032] - said detection sensor comprises a signal transmitter and / or a signal receiver signal,

[0033] - said detection sensor comprises the signal transmitter and the signal receiver, wherein the signal receiver is mounted on the conveyor line and the signal transmitter is oriented opposite the signal receiver,

[0034] - the assembly comprises means for processing the data remotely which are connected to the detection device.

[0035] The invention also relates to a fiber application machine comprising fiber storage members, an assembly according to one of the features of the invention and a device for moving the application head, in which the fiber strip conveying members are configured to convey the fiber strips from the storage members to the application head.

[0036] The invention also relates to a method for detecting failures in an application of fiber strips by a fiber application machine, the method implementing the assembly according to one of the particularities of the invention. The method comprises the steps of: - conveying at least one strip of fibers from the conveying members to the application roller via the conveying die, - cutting of the fiber strip by the cutting member, and - depositing the fiber strip by the application roller on the mold to form the composite material part.

[0037] According to the invention, the method comprises a step of detecting the presence and / or absence of fiber strips by the detection device.

[0038] The method may comprise a step of stopping the deposition of fiber strips if an absence of at least one of the fiber strips is detected during the detection step, for example before the cutting step, and a signaling of the absence of fiber strip.

[0039] The method may comprise a step of stopping the deposition of fiber strips if a presence of at least one of the fiber strips is detected during the detection step, for example after the cutting step, and a signaling of the absence of a fiber strip. Brief description of the figures

[0040] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear during the reading of the detailed description which follows for the understanding of which reference will be made to the appended drawings in which:

[0041] [Fig.l] is a perspective view schematically showing a fiber application machine,

[0042] [Fig.2] is a partial sectional view schematically representing a fiber application head of the machine of [Fig.l] according to the prior art,

[0043] [Fig. 3] is a partial sectional view schematically representing a head fiber application machine of [Fig.l] comprising a detection device according to a first embodiment of the invention,

[0044] [Fig.4] is a partial sectional view schematically representing a fiber application head of the machine of [Fig.1] comprising a detection device according to a second embodiment of the invention,

[0045] [Fig.5] is a partial sectional view schematically representing a fiber application head of the machine of [Fig.l] comprising a detection device according to a third embodiment of the invention,

[0046] [Fig.6] is a partial top view schematically representing an abnormal absence of a fiber band by the detection device of [Fig.4] or [Fig.5],

[0047] [Fig.7] is a partial top view schematically representing an abnormal presence of a fiber band by the detection device of [Fig.4] or [Fig.5]. Detailed description of the invention

[0048] In the following description, the invention applies generally to a fiber application machine 1 for applying one or more strips F formed from several fibers to a mold. The fiber strip F may be pre-impregnated with resin or in a raw state without resin (or otherwise said dry fibers). The machine 1 may be of the AFP or ATL type. This machine 1 has in particular been described previously in the technical background of the present application with reference to [Fig.l].

[0049] Thus, the machine 1 according to an example of the invention comprises a fiber application head 2, a fiber storage member 3 and a device 4 for moving the application head 2.

[0050] The movement device 4 may be a robot with several movement axes and comprising a poly-articulated arm 40.

[0051] The application head 2 according to the prior art has been described previously in the technical background with reference to [Fig.2].

[0052] The application head 2 according to the invention and the elements making up the machine 1 according to the invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3 to 6.

[0053] The application head 2 is intended to apply several strips of fibers (F) to the mold to form the part in composite material.

[0054] In [Fig.l], the application head 2 is mounted on one end of the poly-articulated arm 40 to allow its movement along several axes.

[0055] The storage member 3 may be a creel comprising strips of fibers F wound in the form of reels. The strips of fibers F may be conveyed from the storage member 3 to the application head 2 by drive and guide means 5. These drive and guide means 5 may be present in the form of a sheath.

[0056] In the example of [Fig.l], the machine 1 may comprise a resin storage and supply member 6 connected to the application head 2.

[0057] The machine 1 may comprise a control unit 7, for example arranged in a control cabinet, capable of controlling the movements of the application head 2 according to programmed sequences.

[0058] With reference to [Fig. 3], the application head 2 comprises conveying members 20 for the fiber strips F, a cutting member 22 and an application roller 24.

[0059] The application roller 24 is capable of coming into contact with the mold to apply the fiber strips F. For this, the fiber strips F are conveyed by conveying members 20 to the application roller 24.

[0060] The conveying members 20 may comprise a roller 202 and a counter-roller 204. The roller 202 and the counter-roller 204 are mounted inside the application head 2. The strips of fibers F, coming from the storage member 3 and conveyed by the drive and guide means 5, pass between the roller 202 and the counter-roller 204. The strips of fibers F are then conveyed from the conveying member 20 to a conveying die 26 of the application head 2. The conveying die 26 is capable of connecting the cutting member 22, arranged downstream of the conveying member 20, to the application roller 24 which is arranged downstream of the cutting member 22. The strips of fibers F pass adjacent to the die conveying roller 26 to the application roller 24. In the example of figures 3 and 4, the strips of fibers F pass under the conveying die 26. Alternatively, fibers F can pass on the conveying die 26.

[0061] In the application head 2, in particular at the conveying die 26, the fiber strips F can be arranged adjacent to each other. The fiber strips F can be arranged substantially in the same plane which is parallel to the conveying die 26. The fiber strips F can move in the application head 2, in particular on the conveying die 26, independently of each other.

[0062] The cutting member 22 may comprise a knife or blade 222 and a cutting support 226. The knife or blade 22 may be mounted on a clamp 224 in the application head 2. The fiber strips F coming from the conveying members 20 may be subjected to a cutting operation by the cutting member 22, in particular to interrupt the application of the fiber strips F to the mold.

[0063] One of the particularities of the invention lies in the fact that a detection device 9, in particular for failures in the application of the fiber strips F by the machine 1, is integrated into the application head 2.

[0064] This detection device 9 is configured to detect the presence and / or absence of at least one of the fiber strips F in the application head 2.

[0065] The application head 2 and the detection device 9 form an assembly 10 allowing the detection of the presence and / or absence of at least one of the fiber strips F in the application head 2.

[0066] In particular, the detection device 9 is integrated into the application head 2 (for example inside a housing in the application head) or attached to the application head 2 (for example the detection device 9 is in a housing external to the application head 2 and which can be arranged in the machine 1).

[0067] The detection device 9 can be fixed in (or attached to) the application head 2 by mechanical connections (such as screwing or riveting), by gluing, by welding, etc.

[0068] Advantageously, the detection device 9 is located between the cutting member 22 and the application roller 24. This makes it possible to detect an abnormal presence or an abnormal absence of at least one of the fiber strips in the application head 2. In particular, this detection is carried out after a majority of the failures in the application of the fiber strips have occurred, since the detection device 9 is arranged at the end of the step of the method of applying fiber strips by the application head 2. The abnormal presence or the abnormal absence of fiber strips makes it possible to detect, and subsequently to correct, the manufacturing defect(s) in the machine 1 whether they are upstream or in the application head.

[0069] The detection device 9 may be arranged at least partly opposite and at a distance from the application die 26 and / or the application roller 24.

[0070] The detection device 9 may comprise several detection sensors. Each detection sensor may be chosen from the group of optical fibers, a piezoelectric ultrasonic sensor, a laser or a camera associated with a light source.

[0071] Each detection sensor may comprise a signal transmitter 92 and / or a signal receiver 94.

[0072] In the case where each detection sensor is composed of a signal transmitter 92 and a signal receiver 94, the transmitter 92 is oriented so that the signal transmitted by the transmitter 92 is received and usable by the receiver 94.

[0073] The assembly 10 may comprise remote data processing means 70 which are connected to the detection device 9. The processing means 70 make it possible to transmit data acquired by the detection device 9 to, in particular, the control unit 7. The processing means 70 may communicate with the detection device 9 and / or the control unit 7 via wired connections or wireless connections (for example via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth radio waves). This makes it possible in particular to signal the abnormal presence or the abnormal absence of fiber strip in the production of the composite part.

[0074] By way of example, the processing means 70 may be a computer system comprising a data processing unit (such as a microprocessor) and a main memory (such as a RAM memory, from the English “Random Access Memory”) accessible by the processing unit. Alternatively, the processing means 70 may be one or more electronic circuits, for example micro-wired, not implementing a computer program.

[0075] The detection device 9 can be connected to a device for inspecting the composite part in situ and / or to a device for detecting fiber strips on the application roller (not shown in the figures).

[0076] The device for inspecting the composite part in situ may comprise a camera (for example thermal) and a profilometer for directly inspecting the application of fiber strips deposited on the mold. The inspection device inspects the application of fibers by the application head 2 simultaneously with the application of fibers by the displacement device 4.

[0077] The device for detecting fiber strips on the application roller 24 may be a position sensor making it possible to continuously measure the deposition of the fiber strips on the mold.

[0078] [Fig. 3] illustrates a first embodiment of the detection device 9 arranged in the machine 1. In particular, the detection device 9 is arranged on the application head 2, for example in an external housing attached to the application head 2. The detection device 9 may comprise one or more of the detection sensors as described above.

[0079] [Fig.4] illustrates a second embodiment of the detection device 9 in the application head 2. The detection device 9 comprises one or more of the detection sensors as described above. In particular, each detection sensor comprises the signal receiver 94 and the signal transmitter 92 mounted on the conveying die 26, so that the signal emitted by the transmitter is received and usable by the receiver.

[0080] The transmitter 92 may be mounted opposite the signal receiver 94. For example, the transmitter 92 and the receiver 94 may be oriented so that the signal emitted by the transmitter 92 can be returned directly by the routing die 26 to the receiver 94. Alternatively, the detection sensor may also include a mirror (or any other material producing a mirror or light guide effect), for example on the routing die 26, so that the signal emitted by the transmitter 92 can be returned by the mirror to the receiver 94.

[0081] In the example, the signal transmitter 92 and the signal receiver 94 are each mounted on a glass 96. The glasses 96 are arranged in the routing die 26. The glasses 96 have a role of protecting the signal transmitter 92 and the signal receiver 94. The glasses 96 can also facilitate the maintenance of the detection sensor and if necessary, the glasses 96 make it possible to filter the spectrum of the emitted signal.

[0082] The signal transmitter 92 and the signal receiver 94 may be mounted on the conveyor die 26 via a support 90.

[0083] [Fig. 5] illustrates a third embodiment of the detection device 9 in the application head 2. The detection device 9 of the second embodiment comprises one or more of the detection sensors as described above. In particular, each detection sensor comprises the signal transmitter 92 or the signal receiver 94. The signal transmitter 92 or the signal receiver 94 is mounted on the conveying die 26. The signal transmitter 92 or the signal receiver 94 can be oriented opposite the conveying die 26 or via a mirror.

[0084] In the example, the signal transmitter 92 or the signal receiver 94 is each mounted on the glass 96. The glass 96 is arranged in the conveying die 26, in particular at the level of the application roller 24. As a variant, each detection sensor can be arranged in different locations of the application head 2.

[0085] The integration of the detection device 9 of the second embodiment in the application head is less bulky and makes it easier to maintain the detection device 9.

[0086] With reference to figures 6 and 7, the fiber strips F are arranged adjacent and substantially in the same plane (for example relative to the routing channel).

[0087] The detection device 9, composed in particular of several detection sensors, is configured to detect the presence, called abnormal Pa, or the absence, called abnormal Aa, of the fiber strips F depending on the operating mode of the application head 2. Thus, the detection device 9 can detect the presence or absence of fiber strip F before the cutting operation. The detection device 9 can detect the presence or absence of fiber strip F after the cutting operation.

[0088] In particular, each detection sensor can detect only one of the fiber strips F. For this, a detection sensor is arranged opposite a single fiber strip F for example.

[0089] [Fig.6] illustrates an example of detection of an abnormal absence Aa of fiber strips. In this case, four fiber strips F1, F2, F3, F4 are arranged adjacently and in the same plane of the conveying die 26. In operation (i.e. when the application head 2 deposits fiber strips on the mold), after a fiber strip conveying operation and before the cutting operation, the fiber strips should be present on the conveying die 26. For this, a first timestamp (or "timing" in English) corresponding to a conveying speed of the fiber strips is predetermined and a second timestamp corresponding to a position of the detection device 9 in the application head 2 is predetermined to allow the fiber strips to pass in front of the detection device 9.

[0090] The first timestamp may correspond to a ratio between, on the one hand, a distance between the detection device 9 and the position of the fiber strip F before routing to the routing die 26, and on the other hand, the routing speed. This routing speed may be predefined by the machine 1 or a fiber application program of the machine 1.

[0091] Alternatively, the first timestamp may be determined from a maximum delay which may correspond to the maximum conveying speed, and from the position of the conveying die 26 relative to the theoretical position of the start of the fiber strip in the application head.

[0092] The first timestamp can be adjusted by an operator.

[0093] In the example of [Fig.6], the presence P of the fiber bands F1, F2 and the abnormal absence Aa of the fibers F3, F4 are detected by the detection device 9 arranged downstream of the cutting member 22. The detection of missing fiber bands F3, F4 makes it possible to signal a production defect, so as to subsequently correct this defect.

[0094] [Fig.7] illustrates an example of detection of an abnormal presence Pa of fiber strips. In this case, four fiber strips F5, F6, F7, F8 are arranged adjacently and in the same plane of the conveying die 26. The application head 2 is stopped (i.e. the application head 2 does not deposit fiber strips on the mold), after a fiber strip conveying operation and after the cutting operation, the fiber strips should not be present on the conveying die 26. For this, a second time stamp corresponding to a position of the detection device 9 in the application head is predetermined to allow the fiber strips to exit the application roller 24.

[0095] The second timestamp may correspond to a ratio between, on the one hand, a distance between the detection device 9 and the position of the fiber strip F before routing to the cutting member 22, and on the other hand, the cutting speed. This cutting speed may also be predefined by the machine 1 or a fiber application program of the machine 1.

[0096] Alternatively, the second timestamp can be determined from a maximum delay which can correspond to the maximum cutting speed, and from the position of the cutting member 22 relative to the theoretical position of the end of the fiber strip in the application head.

[0097] The second timestamp can be adjusted by an operator.

[0098] In the example of [Fig.7], the absence A of the fiber strips F5, F7, F8 and the abnormal presence Pa of the fiber strip F6 are detected by the detection device 9 arranged downstream of the cutting member 22. The detection of the excess fiber strip F6 makes it possible to signal a production defect, so as to subsequently correct this defect.

[0099] The invention also relates to a method for detecting failures in an application of the fiber strips F by the fiber application machine 1 as described above. The method implements the assembly 10, in particular the detection device 9, described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 7.

[0100] The method comprises the steps of: - conveying at least one strip of fibers F from the conveying members 20 to the application roller 24 via the conveying die 26, - cutting of the strip of fibers (F) by the cutting member (22), and - depositing the fiber strip (F) by the application roller (24) on the mold to form the composite material part.

[0101] The method comprises a step of detecting the presence and / or absence of at least one strip of fibers F by the detection device 9.

[0102] The method may comprise a step of stopping the application of fiber strips if an absence of at least one of the fiber strips is detected during the detection step, in particular before the cutting step. The method may comprise a step of signaling this abnormal absence of fiber strip before the cutting step.

[0103] Alternatively, the step of stopping the application of fiber strips is carried out if the presence of at least one of the fiber strips is detected during the detection step, in particular after the cutting step has been carried out. The method may also comprise a step of signaling this abnormal presence of fiber strips at the end of the cutting step.

Claims

Claims

1. Assembly (10) comprising an application head (2) intended to apply several strips of fibers (F) to a mold to form a part made of composite material, the application head (2) comprising: - conveying members (20) for the strips of fibers (F), - a cutting member (22) for the strips of fibers (F) arranged downstream of the conveying members (20), - an application roller (24) for the strips of fibers (F) arranged downstream of the cutting member (22), and - a conveying die (26) for the strips of fibers (F) from the cutting member (22) to the application roller (24), characterized in that the assembly (10) comprises a detection device (9) integrated into the application head (2) and configured to detect the presence and / or absence of at least one of the strips of fibers (F) in the application head (2), and in that the detection device detection (9) is located between the cutting member (22) and the application roller (24).

2. Assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the detection device (9) is arranged at least partly opposite and at a distance from the conveying die (26) and / or the application roller (24).

3. Assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the fiber strips (F) are arranged adjacently and in the same plane, the detection device (9) is configured to detect the presence or absence of only one of the fiber strips (F).

4. Assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the detection device (9) comprises several detection sensors being chosen from the group of optical fibers, a piezoelectric ultrasound sensor, a laser or a camera associated with a light source.

5. An assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that said detection sensor comprises a signal transmitter (92) and / or a signal receiver (94).

6. An assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that said detection sensor comprises the signal transmitter (92) and the signal receiver (94), wherein the signal receiver (94) is mounted on the conveying die (26) and the signal transmitter (92) is oriented opposite the signal receiver (94).

7. Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that that it comprises remote data processing means (70) which are connected to the detection device (9).

8. Assembly according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said cutting member (22) comprises a knife or a blade (222) and a cutting support (226).

9. Fiber application machine (1) comprising fiber storage members (3), an assembly (10) according to any one of the preceding claims and a device (4) for moving the application head (2), the conveying members (20) of the fiber strips (F) are configured to convey the fiber strips (F) from the storage members (3) to the application head (2).

10. A method for detecting failures in an application of fiber strips (F) by a fiber application machine (1), the method implementing the assembly (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, the method comprising the steps of: - conveying at least one fiber strip (F) from the conveying members (20) to the application roller (24) by the conveying die (26), - cutting the fiber strip (F) by the cutting member (22), and - depositing the fiber strip (F) by the application roller (24) on the mold to form the composite material part, characterized in that the method comprises a step of detecting the presence and / or absence of at least one fiber strip (F) by the detection device (9).

11. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the method comprises a step of stopping the deposition of fiber strips (F) if an absence of at least one of the fiber strips (F) is detected during the detection step, for example before the cutting step, and a signaling of the absence of fiber strip (F).

12. Method according to claim 10, characterized in that the method comprises a step of stopping the deposition of fiber strips (F) if a presence of at least one of the fiber strips (F) is detected during the detection step, for example after the cutting step, and a signaling of the presence of fiber strip (F).

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