Manufacturing method of molded article, and manufacturing apparatus of molded article

Abstract

To provide a manufacturing method of a molded article in which variations of molding quality of a workpiece can be suppressed.SOLUTION: A manufacturing method of a molded article has: an arrangement step of arranging a workpiece on a molding tool; a supply step of supplying fluid to a bladder above the workpiece; and a lowering step of lowering the bladder. The workpiece is a sheet-like member having a wider area than a top surface of the molding tool. The bladder is covered by a sheet-like member in which an opening part of a box part being a rigid body is stretchable. The supply step and the lowering step use a regulation member which suppresses protruding of a region in which the bladder inflates outside a region in which the bladder contacts the workpiece with lowering of the bladder.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for manufacturing a molded product. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 listed below describes a technique for forming a composite material by pressing a bladder against the top of the composite material placed on a forming mandrel. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6892230 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In molding processes using a bladder, it is difficult to control the bladder in order to stabilize the quality of the molded product. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] Means for solving the above problems and their effects will be described below. 1. A manufacturing method for a molded product, comprising: a positioning step of placing a workpiece in contact with the surface of a mold; a supplying step of supplying a fluid to a bladder on the side of the workpiece opposite the mold; and a displacement step of displacing the bladder toward the workpiece, wherein the workpiece is a sheet-like member having an area larger than the surface of the mold, and the opening of the bladder, which is a rigid box portion, is covered with an expandable sheet-like member, and a restricting member is used in the supplying step and the displacement step to prevent the area in which the bladder expands from extending outside the area in which the bladder contacts the workpiece as the bladder is displaced. In the above method, a restricting member is used in the displacement step and the supply step, so that the variation in the area where the bladder expands, the variation in the area where the bladder applies pressure to the workpiece, and the variation in the pressure applied to the workpiece by the bladder can be suppressed, and therefore the variation in the molding quality of the workpiece can be suppressed. 2. A method for manufacturing a molded product as described in 1 above, wherein the positioning step is a step of positioning a workpiece to be processed on a mold, the supplying step is a step of supplying a fluid to a bladder above the workpiece to be processed, and the displacement step is a lowering step of lowering the bladder, the workpiece to be processed being a sheet-like member having an area larger than the upper surface of the mold, and wherein a restricting member is used in the supplying step and the lowering step to prevent the area in which the bladder expands from extending outside the area in which the bladder contacts the workpiece as the bladder descends.

[0006] In the above method, a restricting member is used in the lowering step and the supplying step, which reduces the variation in the area where the bladder expands, the area where the bladder applies pressure to the workpiece, and the pressure applied to the workpiece by the bladder, thereby reducing the variation in the molding quality of the workpiece.

[0007] 3. A method for producing a molded product as described in 1 or 2 above, wherein the length of a direction from the edge of the opening of the regulating member to the inside of the opening is positive, and the length of a direction from the edge of the opening to the outline of an imaginary rectangle is smaller at a point where the distance between the imaginary rectangle and the outer periphery of the molding mold is greater than at a point where the distance between the imaginary rectangle and the outer periphery of the molding mold is smaller, and the imaginary rectangle is a rectangle inscribed by the outer periphery of the molding mold.

[0008] In the above method, the shape of the edge of the opening is determined according to the outer circumferential shape of the casting mold, which makes it possible to suppress variation in the distance between the edge of the opening and the casting mold from varying from place to place. 4. The method for producing a molded product according to any one of the above 1 to 3, wherein the edge of the opening of the regulating member and the outer periphery of the molding die have similar shapes.

[0009] According to the above-mentioned configuration, since the edge of the opening of the frame member and the outer periphery of the molding die have similar shapes, it is possible to minimize variation in the distance between the edge of the opening and the molding die. 5. A method for manufacturing a molded product described in any one of claims 2 to 4 above, wherein the regulating member is configured to be able to expand the opening of the regulating member, and an expansion process is provided for expanding the opening of the regulating member, and the displacement process includes a first displacement process and a second displacement process, and the expansion process is performed between the first displacement process and the second displacement process.

[0010] In the above method, since the method includes the expansion step, the area where the bladder applies pressure to the workpiece can be determined with high accuracy before the expansion step, and after the expansion step, the bladder can be easily displaced because interference between the bladder and the restricting member can be suppressed.

[0011] 6. A method for producing a molded product as described in 5 above, wherein the supply process has a first supply process and a second supply process, the first supply process being carried out prior to the first displacement process, and the second supply process being carried out between the expansion process and the second displacement process.

[0012] In the above method, by performing the second supplying step between the expanding step and the second displacing step, the pressure that the bladder applies to the workpiece in the second displacing step can be adjusted. 7. A method for manufacturing a molded product as described in 5 or 6 above, wherein the regulating members include a first regulating member and a second regulating member, the opening of the first regulating member is smaller than the opening of the second regulating member, and the expansion process is a process of removing the first regulating member after the first regulating member and the second regulating member prevent the sheet-like member of the bladder from protruding outside the area in contact with the workpiece.

[0013] In the above method, the enlarging step can be achieved by using the first restricting member and the second restricting member. 8. A method for manufacturing a molded product described in any one of 1 to 7 above, wherein the placing step is carried out with a displaceable member, which is a member for supporting a peripheral portion of the workpiece to be processed, placed around the molding die, the displaceable member being a member capable of reducing the length of the bladder in the displacement direction.

[0014] In the above method, the placement step is performed with the peripheral portion of the workpiece supported by the displaceable member. Therefore, as the bladder is displaced, the displaceable member gradually contracts in length. As a result, the position of the peripheral portion of the workpiece approaches the surface supporting the mold, and by moving away from the displaceable member, it comes into contact with the side wall of the mold. Therefore, the peripheral portion of the workpiece can be brought into contact with the mold last. This makes it possible to suppress the occurrence of wrinkles in the workpiece.

[0015] 9. A method for producing a molded product according to any one of 1 to 8 above, comprising a step of reducing pressure within a space formed in the displacement step and partitioned by a surface on which the mold is supported and the bladder.

[0016] In the above method, the pressure inside the space is reduced, so that the workpiece can be conformed to the shape of the molded product. 10. A molded product manufacturing apparatus comprising the bladder in the molded product manufacturing method according to any one of 1 to 9 above, the molding die, and a control device that controls the supplying step and the lowering step. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a molded product manufacturing apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a planar configuration of a molding die according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the restricting member according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] 3 is a flow chart showing a manufacturing process of a molded product according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] 5A to 5C are cross-sectional views showing a manufacturing process of the molded product according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] 5A to 5C are side views showing a manufacturing process of the molded product according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] 5A to 5C are cross-sectional views showing a manufacturing process of the molded product according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] 5A to 5C are cross-sectional views showing a manufacturing process of the molded product according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] 5A to 5C are cross-sectional views showing a manufacturing process of the molded product according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] 5A to 5C are cross-sectional views showing a manufacturing process of the molded product according to the embodiment. [Figure 11] 5A to 5C are side views showing a manufacturing process of the molded product according to the embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a planar configuration of a restricting member according to a second embodiment. [Figure 13] 5A to 5C are cross-sectional views showing a manufacturing process of the molded product according to the embodiment. [Figure 14] 3 is a flow chart showing a manufacturing process of a molded product according to the embodiment. [Figure 15] 10A to 10C are cross-sectional views showing a manufacturing process of a molded product according to a third embodiment. [Figure 16] 5A to 5C are cross-sectional views showing a manufacturing process of the molded product according to the embodiment. [Figure 17a] 10A to 10C are cross-sectional views showing a manufacturing process of a molded product according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 17b] 5A to 5C are cross-sectional views showing a manufacturing process of the molded product according to the embodiment. [Figure 17c] 5A to 5C are cross-sectional views showing a manufacturing process of the molded product according to the embodiment. [Figure 17d] 5A to 5C are cross-sectional views showing a manufacturing process of the molded product according to the embodiment. [Figure 18a] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross-sectional configuration of a manufacturing device according to a modified example of the above embodiment. [Figure 18b] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross-sectional configuration of a manufacturing device according to a modified example of the above embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] First embodiment Hereinafter, the first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. "Manufacturing equipment" The manufacturing device for molded products is shown in Figure 1. In Figure 1, the vertical upward direction is the z-axis, and the horizontal directions are the x-axis and y-axis directions.

[0019] As shown in Fig. 1, the manufacturing apparatus has a mold 10 placed on a floor 12. A convex portion 14 is provided on the floor 12 around the mold 10. In addition, a suction port of a pump 16 is disposed at a position on the floor 12 closer to the mold 10 than the convex portion 14 is.

[0020] 2 shows a plan view of the molding die 10 as viewed from above. In this embodiment, as an example, since the molded product has an arched shape, the upper surface of the molding die 10 has an arched shape.

[0021] Returning to FIG. 1, the manufacturing apparatus includes a bladder 30. The bladder 30 includes a box portion 32 and a flexible sheet 34. The box portion 32 is a rigid body. The box portion 32 has an opening 32a. The opening of the box portion 32 is covered by the flexible sheet 34. The flexible sheet 34 is a stretchable sheet-like member.

[0022] A fluid is supplied to the bladder 30 from the fluid supply device 50. The fluid may be, for example, air. Also, the fluid may be, for example, a rare gas. The fluid is not limited to a gas, and may be a liquid. When the fluid is supplied to the bladder 30 from the fluid supply device 50, the pressure inside the bladder 30 increases. Then, the flexible sheet 34 of the bladder 30 stretches, and the volume of the bladder 30 expands. That is, the bladder 30 expands.

[0023] However, the expansion of the flexible sheet 34 is restricted by the restricting member 40 . FIG. 3 shows a plan view of the regulating member 40. As shown in FIG. As shown in Fig. 3, restricting member 40 has an opening 42. Opening 42 has a shape similar to the upper surface of mold 10. This is designed to suppress variation in the distance between the edge of opening 42 of restricting member 40 and mold 10. Fig. 3 shows that the distances in the X direction and Y direction between restricting member 40 and mold 10 at two different positions are equal to each other, δ1.

[0024] In FIG. 3, the upper surface of the mold 10 is shown by a two-dot chain line. Also, in FIG. 3, a virtual rectangle VR in which the upper surface of the mold 10 is inscribed is shown. As shown in FIG. 3, the length in the direction from the edge of the opening 42 to the inside of the opening 42 is positive, and the length in the direction from the edge of the opening 42 to the contour of the virtual rectangle VR is smaller at a point where the distance between the virtual rectangle VR and the upper surface of the mold 10 is larger than at a point where the distance is smaller. The length in the direction from the edge of the opening 42 to the contour of the virtual rectangle VR is the length in the direction perpendicular to the side of the virtual rectangle VR. Also, the distance between the virtual rectangle VR and the upper surface of the mold 10 is the length of a perpendicular line from the upper surface of the mold 10 to the side of the virtual rectangle VR.

[0025] 3 illustrates a portion A1 where the distance between the imaginary rectangle VR and the upper surface of the mold 10 is small, and a portion A2 where the distance between the imaginary rectangle VR and the upper surface of the mold 10 is large. Note that the length of portion A2 in the direction from the edge of the opening 42 to the contour of the imaginary rectangle VR is negative. Returning to FIG. 1 , the manufacturing apparatus includes a control device 60. The control device 60 controls the fluid supply device 50 and the bladder 30. The control device 60 operates the fluid supply device 50 to control the amount of fluid filled into the bladder 30. The control device 60 operates an actuator 62 that displaces the bladder 30 to control the displacement of the bladder 30. The control device 60 also operates a pump 16 to reduce the pressure of a space, described later, defined by the bladder 30 and the floor 12.

[0026] The control device 60 includes a PU and a storage device. The PU is, for example, a software processing device such as a CPU, a GPU, or a TPU. The storage device may be an electrically non-rewritable non-volatile memory. The storage device may also be an electrically rewritable non-volatile memory, or a storage medium such as a disk medium.

[0027] "Manufacturing process" Figure 4 shows the manufacturing process for molded products. The molded article according to the present embodiment is obtained by molding a composite material made of a thermosetting resin and carbon fibers, specifically, by molding a sheet-like member that is a prepreg as the sheet-like composite material.

[0028] In the series of steps shown in Fig. 4, the control device 60 places the sheet-like member 20 on the forming mold 10 (S10), as shown in Fig. 5 and Fig. 6. This process may be realized by the control device 60 moving the sheet-like member 20 using a robot arm or the like.

[0029] 5 is a cross-sectional view of the forming die 10 and the sheet-like member 20 in a state in which the sheet-like member 20 is placed on the forming die 10. The sheet-like member 20 covers the entire upper surface of the forming die 10.

[0030] FIG. 6 is a side view of the mold 10 and the sheet-like member 20 in a state in which the sheet-like member 20 is placed on the mold 10. As shown in FIG. 6, a plurality of slits 22 are provided at the end of the sheet-like member 20. This is to make it easier to fold the sheet-like member 20 at the point where it contacts the edge of the upper surface of the mold 10.

[0031] Returning to FIG. 4, the control device 60 supplies fluid to a bladder for pressing the sheet-like member 20 from above (S12). Step S12 is shown in Fig. 7. As shown in Fig. 7, the flexible sheet 34 of the bladder 30 protrudes downward from the opening 42 of the restricting member 40 as it expands.

[0032] Returning to FIG. 4, the control device 60 lowers the bladder 30 toward the forming mold 10 (S14). 8 shows the initial stage of step S14. As shown in FIG. 8, the flexible sheet 34 is pressed against the sheet-like member 20 by the bladder 30 descending.

[0033] Returning to Fig. 4, when the restricting member 40 comes into contact with the floor 12, the control device 60 causes the pump 16 to suction the space defined by the bladder 30, the floor 12, and the protruding portion 14 (S16). This reduces the pressure in the space. This reduces the gap between the sheet-like member 20 and the forming mold 10, thereby allowing the sheet-like member 20 to conform to the shape of the forming mold 10.

[0034] FIG. 9 shows step S16. Returning to Fig. 4, the control device 60 determines whether the number of sheet-like members 20 that have been subjected to the processes of S10 to S16 is a predetermined number N (S18). This is because the molded product according to this embodiment is formed by stacking N molded sheet-like members 20. The processes of S10 to S16 are repeated until the number of sheet-like members 20 reaches the predetermined number N.

[0035] Fig. 10 shows the state where the process proceeds to step S10 since the number of sheet-like members 20 in the process of S18 was one. As shown in Fig. 10, a sheet-like member 20(2) is placed on top of the sheet-like member 20(1) formed by the process shown in Fig. 9. Note that the numbers in parentheses after the sheet-like member 20 are given to identify the sheet-like member 20. In particular, the larger the number in parentheses, the later the member is formed in the forming process.

[0036] Fig. 11 is a side view of the state shown in Fig. 10. As shown in Fig. 11, the slits 22(2) of the sheet-shaped member 20(2) are provided in a position different from the slits 22(1) of the sheet-shaped member 20(1).

[0037] Returning to Fig. 4, when the control device 60 determines that the number of sheet-like members 20 has reached the predetermined number N (S18: YES), it completes the molding process using the forming mold 10. Then, in an apparatus different from the apparatus shown in Fig. 1, heat is applied to the predetermined number N of stacked sheet-like members 20 for hardening (S20).

[0038] "Actions and Effects of the Present Embodiment" When the sheet-like member 20 is placed on the forming mold 10, the control device 60 supplies fluid above the sheet-like member 20 into the bladder 30. This stretches the flexible sheet 34 of the bladder 30, causing the bladder 30 to expand. However, a restricting member 40 is provided at the opening of the box portion 32 of the bladder 30. This limits the area in which the bladder 30 expands to the opening 42 of the restricting member 40.

[0039] When the control device 60 inflates the bladder 30, it lowers the bladder 30. At this time, the vertical projection of the opening 42 of the restricting member 40 includes the upper surface of the mold 10. Therefore, the flexible sheet 34 protruding from the opening 42 is selectively pressed against the portion of the sheet-like member 20 that is in contact with the mold 10. Then, as the bladder 30 further descends, the sheet-like member 20 is bent at the edge of the region that is in contact with the upper surface of the mold 10. Then, the portion of the sheet-like member 20 that is not in contact with the upper surface of the mold 10 comes into contact with the side wall of the mold 10.

[0040] Then, by the time the restricting member 40 comes into contact with the floor 12, a space for accommodating the forming mold 10 and the sheet-like member 20 is defined by the bladder 30, the protrusion 14, and the floor 12. The pressure in this space is reduced by the pump 16, so that the portion of the sheet-like member 20 that is not in contact with the upper surface of the forming mold 10 adheres closely to the side surface of the forming mold 10.

[0041] In this way, since the sheet-like member 20 can be molded by selectively applying pressure from the bladder 30 to the sheet-like member 20, the quality of the molded product can be stabilized even when molding is performed under automatic control.

[0042] According to the present embodiment described above, the following actions and effects can be obtained. (1-1) The opening 42 of the regulating member 40 and the upper surface of the mold 10 are made similar in shape. This makes it possible to minimize variation in the distance between the edge of the opening 42 and the mold 10. As a result, as the bladder 30 descends, the portion of the sheet-like member 20 that protrudes from the upper surface of the mold 10 can be evenly pressed downward.

[0043] (1-2) Slits 22 are provided in the portions of the sheet-like member 20 that protrude from the upper surface of the molding die 10. This makes it possible to easily fold the portions of the sheet-like member 20 that protrude from the molding die 10.

[0044] (1-3) The slits 22 are provided at different positions in the mutually different sheet-like members 20. This makes it possible to increase the strength of the molded product compared to a case in which the mutually different sheet-like members 20 have the same slits 22.

[0045] <Second embodiment> The second embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment.

[0046] Fig. 12 shows restricting members 40a and 40b used in this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 12, opening 42a of restricting member 40a has a smaller area than opening 42b of restricting member 40b. Fig. 12 also shows that distance δa between opening 42a and a predetermined location on the upper surface of molding die 10 is smaller than distance δb between opening 42b and a predetermined location on the upper surface of molding die 10.

[0047] The restricting member 40a can be separated into a first member 44a, a second member 45a, a third member 46a, and a fourth member 47a. Fig. 13 shows the arrangement of the restricting members 40a and 40b. In the example shown in Fig. 13, the restricting member 40a is arranged to face the flexible sheet 34 of the bladder 30. The restricting member 40b is arranged to face the flexible sheet 34 with the restricting member 40a interposed therebetween.

[0048] The manufacturing process of the molded product is shown in Fig. 14. For convenience, the same step numbers are given to the steps in Fig. 14 that correspond to the steps shown in Fig. 4. 14, when the control device 60 completes the step S10, it executes a first process of supplying fluid to the bladder 30 (S30). Then, the control device 60 lowers the bladder 30 by a predetermined amount toward the molding die 10 (S32). In this step, the restricting member 40b does not contact the floor 12.

[0049] Next, the control device 60 removes the restricting member 40a to enlarge the opening (S34). In other words, the control device 60 enlarges the area in which the flexible sheet 34 was permitted to expand by the restricting members 40a and 40b. Specifically, the control device 60 displaces the first member 44a of the restricting member 40a in the positive direction of the x-axis, and displaces the second member 45a of the restricting member 40a in the negative direction of the x-axis. The control device 60 displaces the third member 46a of the restricting member 40a in the positive direction of the y-axis, and displaces the fourth member 47a of the restricting member 40a in the negative direction of the y-axis.

[0050] Next, the control device 60 supplies fluid to the bladder 30 again (S36). Then, the control device 60 lowers the bladder 30 again (S38). In this step, the control device 60 lowers the bladder 30 until the restricting member 40b contacts the floor 12. Then, the control device 60 proceeds to steps S18 to S20.

[0051] According to this process, in the step S32, the pressure in the bladder 30 can be applied intensively to the portion of the sheet-like member 20 that is in contact with the upper surface of the molding die 10 via the flexible sheet 34. Then, the opening that allows the expansion of the flexible sheet 34 is expanded from the opening 42a to the opening 42b. This makes it easier for the flexible sheet 34 and the sheet-like member 20 to be displaced between the opening 42b and the molding die 10. This makes it easier to mold the sheet-like member 20 along the side wall of the molding die 10.

[0052] <Third embodiment> The third embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment.

[0053] The step S10 according to this embodiment is shown in Fig. 15. As shown in Fig. 15, in this embodiment, when the sheet-like member 20 is placed on the forming die 10, the edge of the sheet-like member 20 is supported by a sponge 70.

[0054] Step S14 is shown in Fig. 16. As shown in Fig. 16, when the bladder 30 is lowered, the restricting member 40 compresses the sponge 70, so that the upper surface of the sponge 70 gradually lowers. Therefore, the area of ​​the sheet-like member 20 protruding from the upper surface of the mold 10 gradually comes into contact with the side wall of the mold 10 from the edge of the area in contact with the mold 10.

[0055] This makes it possible to prevent wrinkles from forming in the sheet-like member 20. That is, when the sheet-like member 20 is molded in a state in which the end portion of the sheet-like member 20 contacts the side wall of the mold 10 before the edge portion of the region in contact with the mold 10, wrinkles are likely to form near the edge portion of the sheet-like member 20 that contacts the mold 10. In contrast, by arranging the sponge 70, it is possible to prevent the edge portion of the sheet-like member 20 from contacting the side wall of the mold 10 before the portion of the sheet-like member 20 in the vicinity of the upper surface of the mold 10.

[0056] <Fourth embodiment> The fourth embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment.

[0057] Figures 17a to 17d show the manufacturing process of the molded product according to this embodiment. In Figures 17a to 17d, the members corresponding to those shown in Figure 6 and the like are denoted by the same reference numerals for convenience.

[0058] As shown in Fig. 17a, in this embodiment, before the bladder 30 is lowered, the inside of the bladder 30 is filled with a dilatant fluid 36. The dilatant fluid 36 is a fluid that hardens when an impact is applied. As an example, the dilatant fluid 36 may be a liquid in which potato starch is dissolved in water.

[0059] Fig. 17b shows the beginning of the process of lowering the bladder 30. In this embodiment, the bladder 30 is lowered while being vibrated up and down. As shown in Fig. 17b, when the flexible sheet 34 comes into contact with the area of ​​the sheet-like member 20 that is in contact with the upper surface of the mold 10, a force is applied to the dilatant fluid 36 via the flexible sheet 34. As a result, the dilatant fluid 36 hardens from the portion to which the force is applied via the flexible sheet 34.

[0060] 17c shows the latter stage of the process of lowering the bladder 30. In the latter stage, the bladder 30 is vibrated up and down and left and right. As a result, sufficient pressure is applied to the flexible sheet 34 not only on the upper surface of the mold 10 but also on the portion of the bladder 30 facing the side surface of the mold 10. As a result, the dilatant fluid 36 inside hardens.

[0061] 17d shows the state where the step of lowering the bladder 30 is completed. In this state, the bladder 30 is stopped. According to this process, the displacement of the sheet-like member 20 is gradually restricted by the bladder 30 from the portion that contacts the upper surface of the forming mold 10. Therefore, even if the forming process is automated, the sheet-like member 20 can be stably formed.

[0062] <Correspondence> The correspondence between the matters in the above embodiment and the matters described in the above "Means for solving the problem" column is as follows. In the following, the correspondence is shown for each number of the means for solving the problem described in the "Means for solving the problem" column. [1,2] The arrangement step corresponds to the step S10. The supply step corresponds to the step S12 in FIG. 1 and the steps S30 and S36 in FIG. 14. The processing target member corresponds to the sheet-like member 20. [3,4] Corresponds to FIG. 3. [5,7] The expansion step corresponds to the step S34. The regulating member corresponds to the regulating members 40a and 40b. The first lowering process corresponds to the step S32. The second lowering process corresponds to the step S38. [6] The first supplying process corresponds to the step S30. The second supplying process corresponds to the step S36. [8] The displaceable member corresponds to the sponge 70. [9] The depressurizing process corresponds to the process of performing S16.

[10] The control device corresponds to control device 60.

[0063] <Other embodiments> This embodiment can be modified as follows: This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that no technical contradiction occurs.

[0064] "Regarding the decompression process" A depressurizing step may also be provided in the third embodiment. In that case, it is preferable that the opening 42 of the regulating member 40 is located outside the sponge 70. This allows the space defined by the regulating member 40, the bladder 30, and the floor 12 to be sealed. Note that a protrusion 14 may be provided on the floor 12.

[0065] The depressurizing step is not limited to a step of depressurizing the space partitioned by bladder 30 and floor 12 with pump 16 provided under floor 12. For example, a suction port for pump 16 may be provided in mold 10, and the fluid within the space may be sucked from the suction port to depressurize the space.

[0066] It is not essential to have a decompression step. "Regarding regulated materials" (a) Structure for expanding the opening The structure for enlarging the opening of the regulating member is not limited to the structure in which the regulating member includes two regulating members 40a, 40b having openings with different dimensions. For example, the regulating member may include three or more regulating members having openings with different dimensions.

[0067] The structure for expanding the opening of the restricting member does not necessarily have to be a structure including multiple frame-like members with different openings. For example, it may be a single frame-like member with an expandable opening.

[0068] (b) Shape of the opening It is not essential that the opening 42 of the restricting member 40 has a shape similar to the shape of the upper surface of the forming mold 10. For example, if the cross-sectional area of ​​the forming mold 10 increases from the upper surface to the lower surface, the edge of the opening 42 may have a shape similar to the outer periphery of the forming mold 10 midway between the point where the end of the sheet-like member 20 comes into contact and the upper surface. The edge of the opening 42 of the restricting member 40 is not limited to a shape similar to the outside shape of the molding die 10. Even if the shape is not similar, by making the shape correspond to the outer periphery of the molding die 10, it is possible to suppress the variation in the gap between the molding die 10 and the restricting member 40 from varying from place to place. To suppress the variation, for example, the amount by which the outline of the imaginary rectangle VR protrudes into the inside of the opening 42 from the edge of the opening 42 of the restricting member 40 may be set as follows. That is, the amount of protrusion may be made smaller at a point where the distance between the imaginary rectangle VR and the outer periphery of the molding die 10 is large than at a point where the distance between the imaginary rectangle VR and the upper surface of the molding die 10 is small.

[0069] "About the downward process" When the opening of the restricting member is structured to expand, it is not essential that the descending step consists of two steps, the first descending step and the second descending step. For example, when the opening of the restricting member is expanded in multiple stages, the restricting member may have three or more descending steps that are divided according to the timing at which the opening is expanded.

[0070] The lowering step is not limited to a step divided by a step of enlarging the opening of the regulating member. For example, a step of enlarging the opening of the regulating member may be included between two consecutive lowering steps.

[0071] "About the supply process" When the opening of the regulating member is structured to expand, it is not essential that the supply process consists of two processes, the first supply process and the second supply process. For example, when the opening of the regulating member is expanded in multiple stages, the supply process may have three or more supply processes that are divided according to the timing at which the opening is expanded.

[0072] It is not essential to provide a step of supplying fluid to the bladder 30 again after the opening of the regulating member is enlarged. The fluid supplied to the bladder 30 in the supplying step may be a dilatant fluid.

[0073] "About degradable components" The lowerable member that supports the peripheral portion of the workpiece does not necessarily have to be the sponge 70. For example, the lowerable member may be rubber.

[0074] "About the materials to be processed" The sheet-like member 20 is not limited to a prepreg containing a thermosetting resin and carbon fiber. For example, instead of carbon fiber, the inorganic fiber may contain graphite fiber, silicon carbide fiber, alumina fiber, boron fiber, glass fiber, or the like. In addition, it is not essential that the fiber member provided in the sheet-like member 20 is an inorganic fiber. For example, organic fiber such as aramid fiber or polyethylene fiber may be included. The resin material contained in the sheet-shaped member 20 does not necessarily have to be a thermosetting resin. For example, it may be a thermoplastic resin. The sheet-shaped member 20 does not necessarily have to be a prepreg. In addition, the sheet-shaped member 20 does not necessarily have to be a member containing resin. For example, it may be a composite material such as a dry fabric that does not contain resin. When the workpiece is a sheet-like member 20 in which a plurality of sheets are stacked, it is not essential that the positions of the slits 22 provided in the sheet-like members 20 be different for each sheet-like member 20 . When the workpiece is a sheet-like member 20 consisting of a plurality of overlapping sheets, it is not essential that the sheet-like members 20 are provided with slits 22. When each of the plurality of sheet-like members 20 does not have a slit 22, the strength of the molded product is easier to increase compared to when each of the sheet-like members 20 has a slit 22. The workpiece to be processed is not necessarily a sheet-like member 20 in which a plurality of sheets are stacked. "About the manufacturing process of molded products" It is not essential that all of the processes in S10 to S18 in Fig. 4 are automated by a manufacturing device. For example, the step S10 may be performed by a person.

[0075] It is not essential that all of the processes in S10, S30 to S38, S16, and S18 in Fig. 14 are automated by a manufacturing device. For example, the process in S10 may be performed by a person. "About the manufacturing method of molded products" The placing step is not limited to a step of placing a workpiece on the mold. For example, the placing step may be a step of fixing the mold 10 to the ceiling and contacting the sheet-like member 20 with the lower surface of the mold 10. Figures 18a and 18b show an example of a part of the manufacturing process in this case. Figures 18a and 18b show the steps corresponding to Figures 8 and 9. In the example shown in Figures 18a and 18b, the mold 10 is fixed to the ceiling 12a, and a pump 16 is provided on the ceiling 12a. However, it is not essential that the forming mold 10 is disposed on the floor 12 or the ceiling 12a. For example, the sheet-like member 20 may be formed with the forming mold 10 fixed to a side wall of a manufacturing factory. In other words, the displacement direction of the bladder 30 is not limited to the vertical direction and may be the horizontal direction, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0076] 10…Mold 12…Floor 14…Convex part 16…Pump 20...Sheet-shaped member 22...Slit 30…Bladder 32...Hakobe 32a...Opening 34…Flexible sheet 36…Dilatant fluid 40, 40a, 40b...Regulation members 42,42a,42b...opening 44a...First member 45a...Second member 46a…Third member 47a…Fourth member 50...Fluid supply device 60...Control device 62...Actuator 70…Sponge

Claims

1. A placement step of placing a workpiece in contact with a surface of the mold; a supply step of supplying a fluid to a bladder on a side of the workpiece opposite the mold; A displacement step of displacing the bladder toward a workpiece, the workpiece is a sheet-like member having an area larger than the surface of the mold, The bladder has a rigid box portion, and an opening of the box portion is covered with an expandable sheet-like member. A method for manufacturing a molded product, comprising: a supply step and a displacement step, the supply step and the displacement step utilizing a restricting member that restricts the area in which the bladder expands from protruding outside the area in which the bladder contacts the workpiece as the bladder is displaced.

2. The placing step is a step of placing a workpiece on a molding die, the supplying step is a step of supplying a fluid to a bladder above the workpiece; The displacement step is a lowering step of lowering the bladder, The workpiece is a sheet-like member having an area larger than an upper surface of the mold, 2. The method for manufacturing a molded product according to claim 1, further comprising utilizing a restricting member that restricts the area in which the bladder expands from the area in which the bladder contacts the workpiece as the bladder descends during the supplying step and the lowering step.

3. a length in a direction from the edge of the opening of the regulating member to the inside of the opening, the length being smaller at a point where the distance between the virtual rectangle and the outer periphery of the forming mold is larger than a point where the distance between the virtual rectangle and the outer periphery of the forming mold is smaller; The method for manufacturing a molded product according to claim 1 , wherein the imaginary rectangle is a rectangle inscribed with the outer periphery of the molding die.

4. 4. The method for producing a molded product according to claim 3, wherein the edge of the opening of the regulating member and the outer periphery of the molding die have similar shapes.

5. The regulating member is configured to be able to enlarge an opening of the regulating member, an enlarging step of enlarging the opening of the regulating member; The displacement step includes a first displacement step and a second displacement step, The method for manufacturing a molded product according to claim 1 , wherein the enlarging step is carried out between the first displacement step and the second displacement step.

6. The supplying step includes a first supplying step and a second supplying step, The first supply step is carried out prior to the first displacement step; The method for manufacturing a molded product according to claim 5 , wherein the second supplying step is carried out between the expanding step and the second displacing step.

7. The regulating member includes a first regulating member and a second regulating member, The opening of the first restricting member is smaller than the opening of the second restricting member, The method for manufacturing a molded product described in claim 5, wherein the expansion process is a process for removing the first regulating member after the first regulating member and the second regulating member prevent the sheet-like member of the bladder from protruding outside the area in contact with the workpiece.

8. The positioning step is performed in a state where a displaceable member is disposed around the molding die as a member for supporting a peripheral portion of the workpiece, The method for manufacturing a molded product according to claim 1 , wherein the displaceable member is a member capable of reducing the length of the bladder in the displacement direction.

9. 2. The method for producing a molded product according to claim 1, further comprising a step of reducing the pressure in a space defined by a surface supporting said mold and said bladder, said space being formed in association with said displacement step.

10. The bladder in the method for producing a molded product according to claim 1 ; The molding die; A control device that controls the supply process and the displacement process.

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