FIBER APPLICATION MACHINE WITH AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT

Abstract

The present invention relates to a fiber application machine and a method for manufacturing a composite material part using such an application machine. The machine comprises an application head (2, 102) capable of being mounted to a movement system via an intermediate plate (3). The intermediate plate is equipped with at least one articulated arm (5, 7) carrying at its end an auxiliary equipment (6, 8), such as a heating system, said articulated arm being capable of being moved between an active position, in which said auxiliary equipment is capable of being assembled to the application head, and a retracted position in which said auxiliary equipment is spaced from the application head, said articulated arm being capable of guiding power supply and / or control and / or communication lines of said auxiliary equipment. (Figure for abstract: [Figure 1])

Description

Title of the invention: FIBER APPLICATION MACHINE WITH AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT

[0001] The present invention relates to a fiber application machine for producing composite material parts equipped with one or more auxiliary equipment, such as a heating system. The present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a composite material part using such an application machine.

[0002] Fiber application machines, conventionally called fiber placement machines, are known for the contact application on a draping tool, such as a male or female mold, of a wide strip formed of one or more continuous flat fibers, of the wick type, dry or impregnated with thermosetting or thermoplastic resin, in particular carbon fibers, consisting of a multitude of carbon threads or filaments. These fiber placement machines conventionally comprise a placement head, a movement system capable of moving the placement head, and storage means for storing the fibers in the form of reels. The fiber storage means can be mounted on the head, or be arranged at a distance from the head.The head conventionally comprises a compacting system comprising at least one compacting roller for applying a strip formed of several fibers to an application surface of a draping tool, a guiding system for guiding the fibers in the form of a strip towards said compacting roller, and for each fiber, cutting means for cutting a fiber, re-routing means for re-routing the fiber to the compacting roller after a cut made by the cutting means, and blocking means for blocking the fiber that has just been cut.

[0003] In the case of heads with on-board reels, the head is preferably detachably mounted on the movement system, for example on the wrist of a Cartesian system of the gantry type or of a poly-articulated robot type system. The machine then advantageously comprises two heads to allow reel changes to be carried out in masked time, the reels of a first head placed on a bench being able to be replaced by an operator while the draping is carried out with a second head mounted on the movement system.

[0004] The head is generally provided with auxiliary equipment, such as a heating system arranged upstream of the roller relative to the direction of advance of the head to ensure heating of the strip of fibers to be applied, and / or of the mold or of the strips already applied upstream of the compacting roller, just before compacting. of the strip, in order to at least soften the resin, and thus promote adhesion of the strips to each other. In the case of thermosetting resins, the pre-impregnated fibers are simply heated to soften them, typically at temperatures of around 40°C. The heating system typically includes one or more infrared lamps. In the case of thermoplastic resins, the pre-impregnated fibers must be heated to higher temperatures, at least up to the melting temperature of the resin, i.e. around 200°C for nylon-type resins, and up to around 400°C for PEEK-type resins. The heating system conventionally comprises a laser device formed of an optical system mounted on the head, connected to a laser source remote by an optical fiber, which is capable of forming a laser beam in the direction of the pinching zone between the roller and the application surface, said beam extending over the entire width of the strip.

[0005] The head may also be equipped with an online inspection system, in order to control the quality of fiber deposition, in particular to detect foreign objects, fiber reversals, inter-fiber or inter-band spacings, and / or the positions of the fiber ends. Inspection systems, for example of the profilometer or thermographic type, conventionally comprise a transmitter and a camera placed downstream of the application roller relative to the direction of advancement of the head.

[0006] These auxiliary equipments, such as inspection systems and / or heating systems, must conventionally be removed from the head to allow maintenance operations to be carried out on the head, in particular on its guidance system and / or its cutting means and / or its rerouting means. These equipments are particularly expensive, and the assembly and disassembly operations can be delicate. Indeed, the optical systems as well as the optical fibers of the laser-type heating systems are fragile and must be handled with great care. In the case of interchangeable heads, a heating system and / or an inspection system may be provided per head, which increases the unit price of each head. Auxiliary equipment may also be used for several heads, but the disassembly and reassembly operations on a head can be complex and lengthy.In the case of a heating system with optical systems connected by optical fibers to laser sources, this operation is particularly delicate and time-consuming.

[0007] The aim of the present invention is to propose a fiber application machine aimed at overcoming the aforementioned drawbacks.

[0008] To this end, the present invention proposes an application machine comprising a movement system, at least one application head capable of being mounted on said movement system, comprising at least one application roller, or roller of compaction, for the application of one or more fibers on an application surface, and preferably fiber cutting means, fiber rerouting means and fiber blocking means, and at least one auxiliary equipment capable of being mounted on the application head, constituting for example an element of a heating system or an inspection system, characterized in that it comprises an intermediate plate mounted on the movement system and on which the application head is mounted, said intermediate plate being equipped with at least one articulated arm carrying at the end said auxiliary equipment, said articulated arm being capable of being moved between an active position, in which said auxiliary equipment is capable of being assembled to the application head, and a retracted position in which said auxiliary equipment is moved away from the application head,said articulated arm being capable of guiding power supply and / or control and / or communication lines of said auxiliary equipment.

[0009] According to the invention, the auxiliary equipment is mounted on an articulated arm, said arm making it possible both to carry said auxiliary equipment when it is not assembled to the application head, and to guide its power supply and / or control and / or communication lines, so that it can be easily assembled and disassembled from the head, thus facilitating maintenance operations on the head and / or making it possible to have the same auxiliary equipment usable for several application heads. In the retracted position, the auxiliary equipment carried by the articulated arm is moved away from the head, it is then possible to access the head to carry out maintenance operations on the head. Preferably, in the retracted position, the auxiliary equipment is moved away from the head so that it is possible to dismantle the head from the intermediate plate, in particular to replace it with another head on which the auxiliary equipment can be assembled.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the articulated arm is capable of being moved manually between its two positions and / or of being manually locked in its retracted position and / or its active position. According to another embodiment, the articulated arm is capable of being moved automatically between its two positions, said articulated arm being equipped with a motorization system.

[0011] According to one embodiment, said auxiliary equipment is capable of being assembled and / or disassembled manually from the application head in the active position of the articulated arm. According to another embodiment, said auxiliary equipment is capable of being assembled and / or disassembled automatically from the application head in the active position of the articulated arm.

[0012] According to another embodiment, said articulated arm is equipped with elastic return means allowing elastic return of the articulated arm from its active position to its retracted position.

[0013] According to one embodiment, each articulated arm is formed of several sections articulated to each other around axes of rotation, said axes of rotation being preferably arranged parallel to the axis of rotation of the application roller.

[0014] According to one embodiment, said application head comprises a support structure by which the application head is mounted to the intermediate plate, and a functional module comprising the application roller, and preferably fiber cutting means, fiber rerouting means, and fiber blocking means, said functional module being mounted movable in translation on the support structure, and preferably connected to the support structure by one or more compacting cylinders, said auxiliary equipment being able to be assembled to the functional module in the active position of the articulated arm, said articulated arm being able to allow the translational movement of the functional module relative to the support structure when said auxiliary equipment is assembled to said functional module, in the active position of the articulated arm.

[0015] According to one embodiment, said application head is detachably mounted to said intermediate plate via at least one tool changer, said application head being able to be coupled or uncoupled from the intermediate plate in the retracted position of the articulated arm, said tool changer provides a mechanical coupling, as well as preferably an electrical (power and control) and / or pneumatic coupling, of the application head with a control unit of the machine for carrying out the fiber application operations. Preferably, the machine then comprises at least one second application head, the intermediate plate being equipped with the main tool changer part and each application head being equipped with a tool changer tool part, the machine preferably comprising at least two support benches for receiving the application heads.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the machine comprises a heating system comprising at least one laser device capable of emitting a laser beam in the direction of the pinch zone between the application roller and an application surface, upstream of the roller relative to the direction of advancement of the application head during the draping operations, each laser device comprising a laser source, preferably remote from the application head, connected by an optical fiber to an optical system, said optical system constituting the auxiliary equipment mounted at the end of the articulated arm and being capable of forming a laser beam in the direction of the pinch zone between the application roller and an application surface when said optical system is assembled to the application head in the active position of the articulated arm, said optical fiber being guided along said articulated arm.

[0017] According to one embodiment, each laser device further comprises conduits water supply extending along the articulated arm to cool each optical system and / or its associated connector for optical fiber connection.

[0018] Each optical system is formed, in a manner known per se, of a set of mirrors and / or lenses, to shape the laser beam emitted by the laser source and guided by the optical fiber. The heating system may comprise a single laser device, with for example a single source and an optical system forming a beam capable of heating a strip of several fibers over its entire width.

[0019] According to another embodiment, the heating system comprises several laser devices, for example a fiber laser device, the optical systems are grouped at the end of the articulated arm, for example in an optical block, the optical fibers are grouped and arranged along the articulated arm, the laser sources are arranged on the ground, on the intermediate plate, or on one of the elements of the movement system, for example on one of the sections or carriages of the movement system.

[0020] According to another embodiment, the heating system is an infrared lamp type heating system, or a flash lamp type heating system, as described in patent document WO2014 / 029969 or WO2017 / 134453, the lamp(s) are then mounted at the end of the articulated arm, the electrical power supply cables and any cooling conduits for the lamps being guided along the articulated arm.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the machine comprises auxiliary equipment formed of an inspection system mounted at the end of an articulated arm arranged downstream of the application roller relative to the direction of advancement of the head.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the movement system comprises a poly-articulated arm or robot, the intermediate plate being mounted at the end wrist of said poly-articulated robot, or a Cartesian movement device of the gantry type, allowing translational movement in three mutually perpendicular directions, equipped with an end wrist to which said intermediate plate is mounted. The movement system may comprise a poly-articulated arm or robot, possibly mounted on a linear rail, the intermediate plate being mounted at its end wrist with at least two axes of rotation, preferably with at least three axes of rotation, for example a poly-articulated robot of the six-axis type with an end wrist formed of the last three axes of rotation of the robot.The movement system may be a Cartesian movement device of the gantry type comprising several carriages mounted to move in translation relative to each other, allowing movement in three directions X, Y, Z perpendicular to each other, the head being mounted on one of the carriages via an intermediate plate according to the invention, for example the Z-moving carriage, or preferably one of the carriages, for example the Z-moving carriage, being equipped with an end handle with at least two axes of rotation, preferably with at least three axes of rotation, the head being mounted on said . end wrist via an intermediate plate according to the invention,

[0023] According to another embodiment, the movement system is a Cartesian movement device, of the 2D table type, capable of moving the head in two perpendicular directions X, Y, above a draping table to carry out only flat drapings, the head being mounted on one of the carriages of the Cartesian movement device via an intermediate plate according to the invention.

[0024] According to one embodiment, each application head is of the on-board reel type, and comprises a support structure on which are mounted receiving means such as mandrels, for receiving reels of fiber.

[0025] According to another embodiment, the machine comprises storage means formed by a creel for receiving the fiber reels which are offset from the head, for example mounted on a follower carriage arranged on rails and mechanically connected to the carriage carrying the robot. The machine then comprises conveying means for conveying the fibers from the creel to the head. The head is then mounted by its support structure on the intermediate plate, as described previously, with or without a tool changer.

[0026] The present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a part made of composite material comprising the application of strips of fibers to an application surface, characterized in that the application of strips of fibers is carried out by means of a fiber application machine as described above, by relative movement of the fiber application head with respect to the application surface according to deposition trajectories.

[0027] The invention will be better understood, and other aims, details, characteristics and advantages will appear more clearly during the detailed explanatory description which follows of two particular embodiments currently preferred of the invention, with reference to the appended schematic drawings, in which:

[0028] - [Fig.l] is a schematic side view of a fiber application machine according to the invention, with articulated arms in active position carrying the optical block of a heating system and an inspection system;

[0029] - [Fig.2] is a view similar to that of [Fig.l], the articulated arms in position hidden;

[0030] - [Fig.3] and [Fig.4] are respectively enlarged partial views of the head and of the intermediate plate of the machine of [Fig.2];

[0031] - [Fig.5] is a partial schematic view of the machine of [Fig.l], equipped with a receiving bench for receiving the application head; and,

[0032] - [Fig.6] is a schematic side view of a machine according to a second mode of realization, in which the laser sources of the heating system are embedded on the intermediate plate.

[0033] With reference to Figures 1 to 4, the application machine comprises a movement system 1 formed by a poly-articulated arm 11 or robot, of the six-axis robot type, known per se, mounted movably on a linear axis 12, an application head 2 mounted on the end wrist 11a of the robot, with an intermediate plate 3 interposed between the end wrist and the head. The head is here of the type with embedded coils, and comprises a support structure 20, of main axis B1, with a main front face 21 and a main rear face 22.

[0034] The robot 11 is fixed by its base on a carriage 13 mounted to slide on the linear axis 12, said linear axis consisting of two parallel rails fixed to the ground. The carriage is equipped with drive means, for example of the motorized roller type, controlled by a control unit for the movement of the robot along these rails. The end wrist comprises the last three sections of the robot, including the last section mounted to rotate around the last axis of rotation A6 on the penultimate section.

[0035] The intermediate plate 3 comprises two opposite main faces and is assembled by a first main face 31 to the end wrist. The application head is detachably mounted on the second main face 32 of the intermediate plate via a tool changer 4. The tool changer, known per se, conventionally used in robotic applications, comprises two coupling parts: a main part 41, mounted on the second main face 32 of the intermediate plate, and a tool part 42 mounted on the application head, on its main rear face 22. The main part 41 and the tool part 42 are equipped with automatic coupling / uncoupling means, for example of the pneumatic type, controlled by a control unit of the machine to mechanically uncouple or couple the head to the robot automatically.The tool part and the main part define the assembly axis of the head, and are positioned respectively on the intermediate plate and the head so that the main axis Bl of the head and the last rotation axis A6 of the robot wrist are merged once the head is assembled on the robot. A single tool changer is provided here, the main part 41 is centered along the last axis A6 of the robot, the tool part 42 being centered along the main axis B1 of the head.

[0036] The head is equipped on its front face with a compacting system comprising here an application roller or compacting roller 23. The compacting roller is mounted so as to be able to rotate about an axis B2, on a functional module 24, said functional module being mounted on the support structure so as to be able to move in translation in a direction DI parallel to the axis BL. The functional module is assembled to at least one compacting cylinder 25 for applying the fibers via the roller with a compacting force. Said functional module is for example mounted so as to be able to move in translation between two rails assembled on the support structure and is assembled in upper part at the ends of the rods of two compacting cylinders 25, the two cylinders being assembled by their body to the support structure 20. The compacting force for draping can be regulated by adapting the compressed air supply pressure of the cylinders. According to a particular embodiment, the axis B1 passes through the middle of the roller.

[0037] The head is also equipped on its front face 21 with receiving means, such as mandrels, for receiving reels of fibers, shown schematically under the reference 26, as well as return systems (not shown) for directing the fibers from the reels to said compacting roller. The head is for example designed to carry eight reels of fibers, and to apply a strip formed of eight fibers arranged substantially edge to edge. The functional module further comprises, in a manner known per se, cutting means for individually cutting each fiber upstream of the roller, rerouting means, arranged upstream of the cutting means relative to the direction of advancement of the fiber, for rerouting each fiber to the compacting roller after a cutting operation, and blocking means for blocking the fiber that has just been cut, such means being known per se.For example, the machine includes a head as described in patent documents US 7,785,433 or WO2021 / 156550.

[0038] The main part 41 and the tool part 42 of the tool changer are also equipped with electrical and pneumatic connection means for the electrical and pneumatic supply of the head and its control by the control unit during fiber application operations. Hydraulic connection means may optionally be provided, in particular for cooling the head. Electrical cables and pneumatic and / or hydraulic conduits for the supply and control of the head are grouped in one or more sheaths or pipes, shown schematically under the reference 14, extending along the robot from a cabinet 15 to the upper face of the intermediate plate 3. The cabinet comprises various electrical, pneumatic and / or hydraulic components, and is arranged on a follower carriage 16 mounted on the rail next to the carriage 13, and mechanically connected to the latter.These cables and conduits then extend to the main part 41 of the tool changer, as shown schematically by the line referenced 91 in [Fig. 4], where they are connected to corresponding connectors of the main part 4L. The power supply of the cabinet 15 is carried out in a known manner by cables and conduits passing in a cable chain associated with the linear axis 12.

[0039] The machine comprises a laser heating system 6 formed of several laser devices, each laser device being capable of emitting a laser beam towards the pinching zone between the compacting roller and the application surface. The control unit is capable of controlling the laser devices independently of each other. The machine comprises for example one laser device per fiber, each laser device being activated only when the fiber associated with said laser device is present in the strip. Such a heating system makes it possible to avoid heating of the fibers already applied when a fiber of the strip is not applied, and to limit the risks of winding of said fibers already applied on the compacting roller. Each laser device comprises a laser source, an optical system and an optical fiber extending from the source to the optical system. The optical fiber makes it possible to guide the laser beam from the source to the optical system. Each optical system is formed, in a manner known per se, of a set of mirrors and / or lenses, to shape the laser beam emitted by the laser source and guided by the optical fiber. The optical systems are grouped in an optical block 61 mounted at the end of a first articulated arm 5 mounted on the intermediate plate 3.These optical systems grouped into an optical block constitute a first auxiliary equipment according to the invention.

[0040] This first articulated arm 5 is arranged upstream of the roller relative to the direction of advancement of the head during the draping operations. The articulated arm is formed here of three rigid sections articulated to each other. It comprises a first L-shaped section 51 fixed by a first end to the intermediate plate 3, extending laterally from the plate perpendicular to the axis A6, then extending parallel to the axis A6, so that its second end is arranged substantially beyond the coils when the head is assembled to the intermediate plate. The articulated arm comprises a second straight section 52 rotatably mounted by a first end at the second end of the first L-shaped section 51, and a third straight section 53 rotatably mounted by a first end at the second end of the second section, the second end of the third section constituting the free end of the articulated arm on which the optical unit 61 is mounted.The sections are mounted articulated to each other around rotation axes 54, 55 parallel to the axis B2 of the roller.

[0041] The articulated arm 5 is movable into an active position in which the optical unit is capable of being assembled to the functional module 24 of the head, as illustrated in [Fig. 1], and a retracted position illustrated in [Fig. 2]. The end of the articulated arm or the optical unit 61 is equipped with assembly means 62, preferably automatic assembly means, for example pneumatic, capable of cooperating with complementary assembly means 27 mounted on the functional module to assemble the optical unit to the functional module in the active position of the articulated arm.

[0042] The laser sources 63 are arranged on the follower carriage 16 and the optical fibers connecting the laser sources to the optical systems are grouped and positioned in the sheath 14 along the robot, then along the articulated arm 5, for example inside hollow sections 51-53 forming the articulated arm.

[0043] The optical systems and / or their associated connectors allowing the connection of optical fibers to the optical systems can be cooled by water cooling systems, these cooling systems are then connected by water supply conduits extending from the cabinet 15 to the optical system passing through the sheath 14 then into the articulated arm 5. These water supply conduits and the optical fibers are shown schematically along the articulated arm by the reference line 64 ([Fig.4]). The articulated arm can be equipped with motorization systems allowing said articulated arm to be automatically maneuvered between its two positions, by rotation around its axes of rotation 54, 55.

[0044] In the active position of the articulated arm, the optical block 61 is assembled to the functional module 24, the optical systems being capable of emitting laser beams in the direction of the pinching zone to heat the fibers and / or the substrate during the draping operations. In its active position, the articulated arm allows translational movements of the functional module in the direction DI. In the retracted position, the second and third sections 52, 53 are substantially arranged parallel to the axis A6 and the axis B1.

[0045] The machine comprises a second auxiliary equipment consisting here of an automatic inspection system 8. The inspection system is for example of the profilometer type comprising a transmitter / receiver module 81 mounted at the end of a second articulated arm 7 mounted on the intermediate plate 3. This second articulated arm 7 is arranged on the intermediate plate opposite the first articulated arm 5, downstream of the roller relative to the direction of advancement of the head. The second articulated arm is similar to the first articulated arm, and comprises three rigid sections 71, 72, 73, articulated to each other, around axes of rotation 74, 75, which are perpendicular to the axis A6, and parallel to the axis B2 of rotation of the roller 23. The profilometer is mounted at the end of the third section 73. The articulated arm 7 is movable between an active position in which the profilometer is able to be assembled to the functional module 24 of the head, as illustrated in [Fig.l]. The profilometer is equipped with assembly means 82 capable of cooperating with complementary assembly means 28 mounted on the functional module to assemble the profilometer to the functional module, so that the profilometer moves with the functional module in the direction DI during layup. The second articulated arm is advantageously equipped with motorization systems allowing automatic maneuvering of said second articulated arm between its two positions. The power supply cables of the profilometer, and the control cables for controlling the profilometer and recovering the data extend from the cabinet 15 to the profilometer via the sheath 14, the . intermediate plate then in the second arm, these cables being represented schematically at the level of the second articulated arm by the broken line referenced 84. In the active position of the second articulated arm, the profilometer can be used to inspect the strip of fibers just applied, just downstream of the roller. The profilometer is capable of emitting a laser line on the draping surface downstream of the roller, in particular on the strip of fibers just draped, and of recovering images of the laser line projected on the draping surface. In the retracted position, the second and third sections 72, 73 are substantially arranged parallel to the axis A6 and the main axis B1.

[0046] In the present embodiment, the machine comprises a single sheath for the various cables and conduits of the head and auxiliary equipment. The machine may comprise several sheaths in which these various cables and conduits are distributed, one sheath preferably being specifically provided for the cables and conduits of the heating system.

[0047] With reference to [Fig. 5], the machine comprises a receiving station comprising a support bench 92 for receiving the application head. When the head is placed on the support bench, a maintenance part (not shown) of the tool changer advantageously couples with the tool part 42 to provide electrical (power and control) and pneumatic coupling of the head with a secondary control unit of the bench to carry out maintenance and / or coil loading operations. In the example illustrated, the bench is capable of receiving the head in a position in which the main axis B1 is arranged horizontally.Preferably, the head comprises a second application head equipped with a tool changer tool part, and a second support bench, so that draping operations can be carried out with the first application head mounted on the movement system, while maintenance operations, in particular replacement of coils, can be carried out by an operator on a second head placed on one of the support benches.

[0048] During draping operations with the head mounted on the intermediate plate, the first articulated arm 5 is in the active position, with the optical unit 61 assembled on the functional module 24 of the head, and the second articulated arm 7 is in the active position, with the profilometer assembled on the functional module. The first articulated arm and the second articulated arm are configured to allow movement of the optical unit and the profilometer with the functional module in the DI direction. The optical systems of the optical unit can then be used to heat the deposited fibers by activating the associated laser sources, the optical systems are integral with the functional module which makes it possible to fix the positioning of the laser beams relative to the roller, despite possible movements of the functional module relative to the support structure in direction D1. The profilometer allows an inspection of the deposited fibers to be carried out. The articulated arms 5, 7 can be brought into the retracted position, as illustrated in [Fig.2], by deactivating the assembly means 62, 82 or the complementary assembly means 27, 28, and by activating the arm motorization systems to pivot the arm sections around the rotation axes. In this retracted position of the articulated arms, in particular the first articulated arm, it is possible to access the functional module to carry out maintenance operations. To place the head on the bench, the axis A6 of the robot is brought into the horizontal position and the robot is moved to place the head on the support bench. The locking means of the tool changer are then deactivated and the head is uncoupled from the intermediate plate 3 by a horizontal translation movement of the intermediate plate.Maintenance operations can then be carried out on the head positioned on the support bench. The robot can then be moved to couple a second application head positioned on a second bench by performing a horizontal translation movement to bring the main part of the tool changer against the tool part of the second head. Once the head is mechanically coupled, the articulated arms are maneuvered to their active position to assemble the optical block and the profilometer to the functional module of this second head.

[0049] [Fig. 6] illustrates a machine according to a second embodiment which differs from the first embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 5 in that the laser sources 163 of the laser devices are mounted on the intermediate plate 103. The intermediate plate has larger dimensions to receive the laser sources on its first upper face. The intermediate plate is equipped with a first articulated arm 105 for guiding the optical fibers and the cooling ducts of the laser sources to the optical block 106 carried at the end of said first articulated arm. The interim plate comprises a second articulated arm 107 carrying the profilometer 8.The mounting of a head 102 on the intermediate plate 103 is ensured by several tool changers, including a central changer 104a, similar to that described previously, ensuring a mechanical coupling, as well as an electrical and pneumatic coupling of the head, and lateral changers 104b, for example two in number, ensuring for example only a mechanical coupling of the head.

[0050] Although the invention has been described in connection with different particular embodiments, it is quite obvious that it is in no way limited thereto and that it includes all the technical equivalents of the means described as well as their combinations if these fall within the scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims

1. Application machine comprising - a movement system (1), - at least one application head (2, 102) capable of being mounted on said movement system, comprising at least one compacting roller (23) for applying one or more fibers to an application surface, and - at least one auxiliary equipment (61, 81) capable of being mounted on the application head, characterized in that it comprises an intermediate plate (3, 103) mounted on the movement system and on which the application head is mounted, said intermediate plate being equipped with at least one articulated arm (5, 7;105, 107) carrying at the end said auxiliary equipment (6, 8, 106, 108), said articulated arm being able to be moved between an active position, in which said auxiliary equipment is able to be assembled to the application head, and a retracted position in which said auxiliary equipment is moved away from the application head, said articulated arm being able to guide power supply and / or control and / or communication lines of said auxiliary equipment.;

2. Machine according to claim 1, characterized in that said application head (2, 102) comprises a support structure (20) by which the application head is mounted to the intermediate plate (3, 103), and a functional module (24) comprising the compacting roller (23), said functional module being mounted movable in translation on the support structure, and connected to the support structure by one or more compacting cylinders (25), said auxiliary equipment (6, 8, 106, 108) being able to be assembled to the functional module in the active position of the articulated arm (5, 7, 105, 107), said articulated arm being able to allow the translational movement of the functional module relative to the support structure when said auxiliary equipment is assembled to said functional module.

3. Machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said application head (2, 102) is detachably mounted to said intermediate plate (3, 103) via at least one tool changer (4, 104a, 104b), said application head being able to be coupled or uncoupled from the intermediate plate in the retracted position of the articulated arm (5, 7, 105, 107).

4. Machine according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises a heating system (6, 106) comprising at least one laser device capable of emitting a laser beam, each laser device comprising a laser source (63, 163), connected by an optical fiber (52) to an optical system (61), said optical system constituting the auxiliary equipment mounted at the end of the articulated arm (5, 105) and being capable of forming a laser beam in the direction of the pinching zone between the application roller and an application surface when said optical system is assembled to the application head in the active position of the articulated arm, said optical fiber being guided along said articulated arm.

5. Machine according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises auxiliary equipment formed by an inspection system (8, 108) mounted at the end of an articulated arm (7, 107) arranged downstream of the application roller relative to the direction of advancement of the head.

6. Machine according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the movement system comprises - a polyarticulated robot (11), the intermediate plate (3, 103) being mounted on the end wrist (11a) of said robot, or - a Cartesian movement device of the gantry type, allowing translational movement in three directions perpendicular to each other, equipped with an end wrist to which said intermediate plate is mounted.

7. Machine according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that each application head comprises a support structure (20) on which are mounted receiving means, for receiving reels of fiber.

8. Method for manufacturing a part made of composite material comprising the application of strips of fibers to an application surface, characterized in that the application of strips of fibers is carried out by means of a fiber application machine according to one of claims 1 to 7, by relative movement of the fiber application head with respect to the application surface according to deposition trajectories.

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