Method for manufacturing glass fiber, and manufacturing apparatus of glass fiber

Abstract

To provide a method for manufacturing a glass fiber and a manufacturing apparatus of a glass fiber which make it possible to suppress productivity reduction of a glass fiber.SOLUTION: A method for manufacturing glass fiber comprises: a drawing out step of drawing out a plurality of glass filaments GF from a bushing 12; and a coating step of coating sizing agent to the plurality of glass filaments GF by using an applicator roller 17. The applicator roller 17 has a rotation shaft 19 which is rotationally driven. The method for manufacturing glass fiber is equipped with a sizing step of sizing the plurality of glass filaments GF to which the sizing agent was applied by using a gathering shoe 14. In the coating step, the applicator roller 17 is reciprocally moved along the rotation shaft 19 of the applicator roller 17.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing glass fibers and an apparatus for manufacturing glass fibers.

Background Art

[0002] As described in Patent Document 1, in the production of glass fibers, in the coating step of applying a sizing agent to a plurality of glass filaments, an applicator roller having a rotation shaft driven to rotate is used.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the above-described coating step, the sizing agent may partially stay on the outer peripheral surface of the applicator roller. The sizing agent staying on the outer peripheral surface of the applicator roller may become an adherent on the outer peripheral surface of the applicator roller by curing over time. The adherent on the outer peripheral surface of the applicator roller may cause, for example, the cutting of glass filaments in the above coating step. That is, suppressing the retention of the sizing agent on the outer peripheral surface of the applicator roller is important from the viewpoint of suppressing the reduction in the productivity of glass fibers.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing glass fibers and an apparatus for manufacturing glass fibers that can suppress a reduction in the productivity of glass fibers.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] Each aspect of the method for manufacturing glass fibers and the apparatus for manufacturing glass fibers for solving the above problems will be described. The manufacturing method of the glass fiber according to Embodiment 1 includes a drawing step of drawing a plurality of glass filaments from a bushing, an application step of applying a sizing agent to the plurality of glass filaments using an applicator roller having a rotation shaft driven to rotate, and a gathering step of gathering the plurality of glass filaments coated with the sizing agent using a gathering shoe. In the application step, the applicator roller is reciprocated along the rotation shaft.

[0007] According to this method, by reciprocating the applicator roller as described above in the application step, the position of the applicator roller can be changed with respect to the plurality of glass filaments. Thereby, on the outer peripheral surface of the applicator roller, for example, the retention of the sizing agent that causes the cutting of the glass filaments can be suppressed.

[0008] In the manufacturing method of the glass fiber according to Embodiment 2, in Embodiment 1, the glass filament group composed of the plurality of glass filaments in the application step is arranged along the axial direction of the applicator roller, and may have a plurality of contact portions in contact with the applicator roller and a separation portion formed between the plurality of adjacent contact portions. According to this method, the retention of the sizing agent on the outer peripheral surface of the applicator roller corresponding to the separation portion of the glass filament group can be suppressed.

[0009] In the manufacturing method of the glass fiber according to Embodiment 3, in Embodiment 2, the minimum interval dimension D1 [mm] of the separation portion and the moving distance M [mm] of the reciprocating movement of the applicator roller along the rotation shaft may satisfy the relationship of D1 ≤ M. According to this method, the portion of the outer peripheral surface of the applicator roller that is non-contact with the glass filaments of the glass filament group can be reduced. Thereby, the retention of the sizing agent on the outer peripheral surface of the applicator roller can be further suppressed.

[0010] In the method for manufacturing glass fibers according to Aspect 4, in Aspect 2, the maximum distance dimension D2 [mm] of the separation part and the moving distance M [mm] of the reciprocating movement along the rotation axis of the applicator roller may satisfy the relationship D2 ≤ M. According to this method, by increasing the contact frequency between the glass filaments of the glass filament group and the outer peripheral surface of the applicator roller, partial retention of the sizing agent on the outer peripheral surface of the applicator roller can be further suppressed.

[0011] In the method for manufacturing glass fibers according to Aspect 5, in any one of Aspects 1 to 4, in the coating step, the width dimension W1 [mm] of the outer peripheral surface of the applicator roller and the maximum width dimension W2 [mm] of the contact part that contacts the outer peripheral surface of the applicator roller among the width dimensions of the glass filament group composed of the plurality of glass filaments may satisfy the relationship W1 ≤ W2 × 1.5. According to this method, in the coating step, the ratio of the portion of the outer peripheral surface of the applicator roller that is non-contact with the glass filaments of the glass filament group can be reduced. Thereby, the amount of deposits generated in the portion of the outer peripheral surface of the applicator roller that is non-contact with the glass filaments of the glass filament group can be reduced. Thereby, it becomes possible to effectively use the sizing agent.

[0012] In the method for manufacturing glass fibers according to Aspect 6, in any one of Aspects 1 to 5, the sizing agent may contain a resin having a glycidyl group. Since the resin having a glycidyl group is relatively easy to cure, when using a sizing agent containing a resin having a glycidyl group, a cured product adhering to the outer peripheral surface of the applicator roller is likely to be generated. At this time, suppressing the retention of the sizing agent on the outer peripheral surface of the applicator roller by the method described above is particularly advantageous from the viewpoint of increasing the productivity of glass fibers.

[0013] The glass fiber manufacturing apparatus according to Aspect 7 includes a bushing for drawing a plurality of glass filaments, an applicator for applying a sizing agent to the plurality of glass filaments, and a gathering shoe for gathering the plurality of glass filaments to which the sizing agent has been applied. The applicator includes an applicator roller having a rotation shaft that is rotationally driven, and a reciprocating movement device for reciprocating the applicator roller along the rotation shaft.

Effect of the Invention

[0014] According to the present invention, it is possible to exhibit an effect of suppressing a decrease in the productivity of glass fibers.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] Hereinafter, embodiments of a method for manufacturing glass fibers and a glass fiber manufacturing apparatus will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, for convenience of explanation, a part of the configuration may be shown exaggerated or simplified. Also, the dimensional ratios of each part may be different from the actual ones.

[0017] <Glass fiber manufacturing apparatus> As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the glass fiber manufacturing apparatus 11 includes a bushing 12, an applicator 13, and a gathering shoe 14. The glass fiber manufacturing apparatus 11 of the present embodiment further includes a traverse (not shown) and a collet 15. The glass fiber manufacturing apparatus 11 manufactures a glass strand GS formed by gathering a large number of glass filaments GF. In the XYZ axes in the drawing, the X axis represents the horizontal direction, the Y axis represents the horizontal direction orthogonal to the X axis, and the Z axis represents the vertical direction orthogonal to the XY plane.

[0018] (Bushing) The bushing 12 forms the molten glass MG into a fibrous shape. The bushing 12 manufactures a plurality of glass filaments GF from the molten glass MG. In the drawing, a glass filament group GF1 composed of a plurality of glass filaments GF is schematically shown by dot pattern hatching.

[0019] The bushing 12 has a bushing body 12a to which the molten glass MG is supplied, a base plate 12b provided at the bottom of the bushing body 12a, and a plurality of nozzles N provided on the base plate 12b. The planar shape of the base plate 12b of the bushing 12 of the present embodiment is a rectangular shape having a longitudinal direction along the X axis and a short direction along the Y axis, but is not limited thereto. The planar shape of the base plate 12b may be, for example, a square shape, a polygonal shape other than a quadrilateral shape, a circular shape, or the like.

[0020] The bushing body 12a has a supply port to which the molten glass MG is supplied, a screen for suppressing the deposition of foreign matter on the base plate 12b, terminals for resistance heating, and the like. Each of the plurality of nozzles N forms the molten glass MG supplied to the bushing body 12a into a glass filament GF. The number of nozzles of the bushing 12 is preferably 800 to 10,000, and more preferably 2,000 to 8,000.

[0021] Examples of the materials for the bushing body 12a, the base plate 12b, and the nozzle N include precious metals or precious metal alloys. The precious metals are gold, silver, platinum, palladium, rhodium, iridium, ruthenium, or osmium.

[0022] Examples of the glass of the glass filament GF include E glass (glass with an alkali content of 2% or less), D glass (low dielectric constant glass), AR glass (alkali-resistant glass), C glass (acid-resistant glass), M glass (glass with a high elastic modulus), S glass (high-strength, high-elastic modulus glass), T glass (high-strength, high-elastic modulus glass), H glass (high dielectric constant glass), and NE glass (low dielectric constant glass). The density of the glass is, for example, 2.0 to 3.0 g / cm 3 It is.

[0023] (Applicator) The applicator 13 applies the liquid focusing agent SA to a plurality of glass filaments GF drawn from the bushing 12. The applicator 13 includes a container 16 for storing the focusing agent SA and an applicator roller 17 for applying the focusing agent SA in the container 16 to the glass filaments GF. The applicator roller 17 has a roller body 18 having an outer peripheral surface that can contact a plurality of glass filaments GF, and a rotating shaft 19 connected to the roller body 18 for rotationally driving the roller body 18. The outer peripheral surface of the roller body 18 can be made of, for example, a non-metallic material such as carbon or a metallic material.

[0024] A part of the outer peripheral surface of the roller body 18 of the applicator roller 17 in the circumferential direction is immersed in the focusing agent SA in the container 16. After the focusing agent SA in the container 16 is transferred to the outer peripheral surface of the roller body 18, it is applied to the glass filaments GF.

[0025] The rotation axis 19 of the applicator roller 17 is arranged to extend in a direction intersecting the vertical direction. In the present embodiment, the rotation axis 19 of the applicator roller 17 is arranged to extend along the longitudinal direction of the base plate 12b of the bushing 12, but it may be arranged to extend along the short side direction of the base plate 12b, for example.

[0026] The applicator 13 has a rotation drive device 20 that rotationally drives the rotation axis 19 of the applicator roller 17. The rotation drive device 20 includes a motor or the like. The applicator 13 includes a reciprocating movement device 21 that reciprocates the applicator roller 17 along the rotation axis 19. The reciprocating movement device 21 has a linear reciprocating movement mechanism. Examples of the linear reciprocating movement mechanism include a mechanism using a ball screw and a mechanism using a fluid pressure cylinder.

[0027] Figs. 3 and 4 are explanatory diagrams for explaining the operation of the applicator roller 17. In Figs. 3 and 4, illustration of the container 16 of the applicator 13 and illustration of the sizing agent on the outer peripheral surface of the applicator roller 17 are omitted. In Figs. 3 and 4, the roller body 18 at the central position shown in Fig. 1 is indicated by a two-dot chain line. The central position of the roller body 18 is set corresponding to the center of the bushing 12. As shown in Fig. 3, the reciprocating device 21 can move the roller body 18 at the central position to the first end position E1 along the axial direction of the applicator roller 17. Also, as shown in Fig. 4, the reciprocating device 21 can move the roller body 18 at the central position to the second end position E2 on the side opposite to the first end position E1 along the axial direction of the applicator roller 17. The applicator roller 17 moves by a first moving distance M1 from the central position to the first end position E1. The applicator roller 17 moves by a second moving distance M2 from the central position to the second end position E2. The moving distance M of the reciprocating movement of the applicator roller 17 is represented by M = M1 + M2. That is, the moving distance M of the reciprocating movement is the distance between the first end position E1 and the second end position E2 in the reciprocating movement of the applicator roller 17. In other words, the moving distance M of the reciprocating movement is the one-way distance that becomes the forward or return path in the reciprocating movement of the applicator roller 17. The first moving distance M1 and the second moving distance M2 may be the same distance or different distances. It is preferable that the first moving distance M1 and the second moving distance M2 are the same distance from the viewpoint of effectively using the outer peripheral surface of the roller body 18.

[0028] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the glass filament group GF1 has a contact portion GFa that contacts the applicator roller 17. It is preferable that the first width dimension W1 [mm] and the second width dimension W2 [mm] shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 satisfy the relationship of W1 ≦ W2 × 1.5. The first width dimension W1 [mm] is the width dimension of the outer peripheral surface of the applicator roller 17. The second width dimension W2 [mm] is the maximum width dimension in the contact portion GFa that contacts the outer peripheral surface of the applicator roller 17 among the width dimensions of the glass filament group GF1. It is more preferable that the first width dimension W1 [mm] and the second width dimension W2 [mm] satisfy the relationship of W1 ≦ W2 × 1.4.

[0029] The first width dimension W1 [mm] is larger than the second width dimension W2 [mm], and it is preferable that the first width dimension W1 [mm] and the second width dimension W2 [mm] satisfy the relationship of, for example, W2 × 1.1 ≦ W1. In this case, it becomes possible to set the first movement distance M1 or the second movement distance M2 of the applicator roller 17 longer.

[0030] (Sizing agent) The sizing agent SA contains a resin for forming a film on the glass strand GS. Examples of the resin include resins having a glycidyl group, polyester, vinyl acetate-based resins, urethane-based resins, acrylic resins, and the like. Only one type of resin may be used in the sizing agent SA, or two or more types may be used in combination. The resin is, for example, blended into the sizing agent SA as an aqueous resin emulsion. The resin concentration (solid content concentration) in the sizing agent SA is, for example, in the range of 0.1 mass% or more and 90 mass% or less.

[0031] The sizing agent SA preferably contains a silane coupling agent. Examples of the silane coupling agent include aminosilane, epoxysilane, vinylsilane, acrylicsilane, chlorosilane, mercaptosilane, ureidosilane, and the like.

[0032] The sizing agent SA may contain a lubricant, an antistatic agent, etc. as required. Examples of the lubricant include fatty acid amides, quaternary ammonium salts, etc. Examples of the antistatic agent include polyether compounds, sulfonic acid compounds, betaine compounds, conductive polymers, etc.

[0033] (Gathering shoe and collet) The gathering shoe 14 gathers the glass filament group GF1 composed of a plurality of glass filaments GF coated with the sizing agent SA. The gathering shoe 14 has a recess into which the glass filament group GF1 is supplied. The glass filament group GF1 is gathered by the recess of the gathering shoe 14 to obtain a glass strand GS.

[0034] A bobbin (not shown) is mounted on the collet 15. The collet 15 is rotationally driven to wind the glass strand GS that has passed through a traverse (not shown) around the bobbin. Thereby, a cake CA in which the glass strand GS is wound around the bobbin is obtained.

[0035] (Method for manufacturing glass fiber) Next, the method for manufacturing glass fiber will be described together with its main operations. The method for manufacturing glass fiber includes a drawing step, a coating step, and a gathering step. In the drawing step, a plurality of glass filaments GF are drawn from the bushing 12. In the coating step, the sizing agent SA is applied to the plurality of glass filaments GF using an applicator roller 17 having a rotationally driven rotary shaft 19. In the gathering step, the plurality of glass filaments GF coated with the sizing agent SA are gathered using the gathering shoe 14. Thereby, the above-described glass strand GS is obtained. The method for manufacturing glass fiber includes a winding step of winding the glass strand GS formed by gathering a plurality of glass strands GS.

[0036] The glass strand GS obtained by the method for producing glass fibers has a film formed from the solid content in the sizing agent SA. Examples of the usage forms of the glass strand GS include chopped strand, milled fiber, roving, yarn, mat, cloth, tape, woven fabric, etc. Examples of the uses of the glass strand GS include vehicle uses, electronic material uses, building material uses, civil engineering uses, aircraft-related uses, shipbuilding uses, logistics uses, industrial machine uses, and daily commodity uses.

[0037] In the coating step in the method for producing glass fibers, the applicator roller 17 is rotated by rotationally driving the rotating shaft 19 of the applicator roller 17. The rotation direction of the applicator roller 17 is preferably the direction (forward direction) in which the outer peripheral surface of the roller body 18 feeds out the glass filament GF, as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 2.

[0038] Next, an example will be given to explain the details of the action of the applicator roller 17. FIG. 5 shows a part of the glass filament group GF1 and the applicator roller 17. In FIG. 5, the illustration of the sizing agent SA on the outer peripheral surface of the applicator roller 17 is omitted.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 5, the contact part GFa of the glass filament group GF1 may be divided along the axial direction of the applicator roller 17. That is, the glass filament group GF1 may have a plurality of contact parts GFa that come into contact with the applicator roller 17. The plurality of contact parts GFa are arranged along the axial direction of the applicator roller 17. The glass filament group GF1 has a separation part GFb formed between adjacent contact parts GFa.

[0040] The separation part GFb of the glass filament group GF1 has, for example, an orthogonal part extending in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the applicator roller 17. The orthogonal part is formed from the upstream end to the downstream end of the contact part GFa.

[0041] When performing the coating process on the glass filament group GF1 having such a gap portion GFb without reciprocating the applicator roller 17, the following state occurs. When the applicator roller 17 is rotated once by the rotation driving device 20, the outer peripheral surface of the applicator roller 17 corresponding to the gap portion GFb includes a non-contact surface that does not contact the glass filament GF of the glass filament group GF1. In FIG. 6, when the applicator roller 17 is rotated once, the non-contact surface 18a that does not contact the glass filament GF of the glass filament group GF1 is shown by hatching with a diagonal pattern. On such a non-contact surface 18a, it becomes a portion where the sizing agent SA easily stays. The sizing agent SA staying on the outer peripheral surface of the applicator roller 17 is likely to adhere to the outer peripheral surface of the applicator roller 17 by curing over time. The phenomenon of generating deposits due to the sizing agent SA as a factor is sometimes called a gumming-up phenomenon.

[0042] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, in the coating process of the present embodiment, the applicator roller 17 is reciprocated as described above. Therefore, the position of the outer peripheral surface of the applicator roller 17 can be changed along the axial direction of the rotation axis 19 with respect to the gap portion GFb in the glass filament group GF1. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the partial retention of the sizing agent SA on the outer peripheral surface of the applicator roller 17.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 5, it is preferable that the minimum interval dimension D1 [mm] of the gap portion GFb of the glass filament group GF1 and the reciprocating movement distance M [mm] along the rotation axis 19 of the applicator roller 17 satisfy the relationship D1 ≦ M. It is more preferable that the minimum interval dimension D1 [mm] and the movement distance M [mm] satisfy the relationship D1 × 1.1 ≦ M, and it is even more preferable that they satisfy the relationship D1 × 1.2 ≦ M1.

[0044] The maximum distance dimension D2 [mm] of the spaced portion GFb of the glass filament group GF1 and the moving distance M [mm] preferably satisfy the relationship D2 ≤ M. The upper limit of the moving distance M [mm] is not particularly limited, but for example, it preferably satisfies the relationship M ≤ D2 × 10.

[0045] <Test Example> Next, test examples will be described. (Test Example 1) In Test Example 1, glass fibers were produced by operating the glass fiber production apparatus 11 for 20 hours. As the sizing agent SA, one containing a resin having a glycidyl group as a resin for forming a film on the glass strand GS was used.

[0046] In Test Example 1, the number of cutting times of the glass filament GF per hour of operation was 0.2 times / hour. As a result of observing the region through which the glass filament group GF1 passes on the outer peripheral surface of the applicator roller 17 after the test, almost no deposits due to the retention of the sizing agent SA were visually recognized.

[0047] In the coating process of Test Example 1, the amount of the sizing agent SA used was determined by subtracting the amount of the sizing agent SA after the test from the amount of the sizing agent SA before the test. Next, the mass A [g] of the solid content used was calculated from the amount of the sizing agent SA used. Also, the mass B [g] of the solid content in the sizing agent SA adhering to the glass strand GS was determined. The mass B [g] of the solid content in the sizing agent SA adhering to the glass strand GS can be determined from the loss on ignition [mass%] of the glass strand GS. The loss on ignition of the glass strand GS can be measured in accordance with JIS R3420 (2013). Next, the effective utilization rate [%] of the sizing agent SA was calculated from the following formula.

[0048] Effective utilization rate of sizing agent SA [%] = {mass B [g] / mass A [g]} × 100 The effective utilization rate of the sizing agent SA in Test Example 1 was 95%. (Test Example 2) In Test Example 2, the reciprocating movement device 21 was stopped using the same glass fiber manufacturing apparatus 11 as in Test Example 1, that is, glass fibers were manufactured without reciprocating the applicator roller 17. In this Test Example 2, the number of cuts of the glass filaments GF per hour of operation time was 1.0 times / hour. Also, the effective utilization rate of the sizing agent SA in Test Example 2 was 80%. As a result of observing the region where the glass filament group GF1 passes on the outer peripheral surface of the applicator roller 17 after the test, deposits due to the retention of the sizing agent SA were confirmed. Specifically, deposits due to the retention of the sizing agent SA were confirmed on the non-contact surface 18a shown in FIG. 6.

[0049] (Consideration) In Test Example 1, the generation of the above-described deposits on the outer peripheral surface of the applicator roller 17 was suppressed more than in Test Example 2. In this Test Example 1, the number of cuts of the glass filaments GF per hour of operation time could be reduced more than in Test Example 2. Also, in Test Example 1, the effective utilization rate of the sizing agent SA could be improved more than in Test Example 2. Such an improvement in the effective utilization rate of the sizing agent SA is considered to be due to the suppression of the generation of the above-described deposits on the outer peripheral surface of the applicator roller 17.

[0050] <Actions and Effects> Next, the actions and effects of the embodiment will be described. (1) The method for manufacturing glass fibers includes a drawing step of drawing a plurality of glass filaments GF from a bushing 12. The method for manufacturing glass fibers includes an application step of applying a sizing agent SA to the plurality of glass filaments GF using an applicator roller 17 having a rotation shaft 19 that is rotationally driven. The method for manufacturing glass fibers includes a gathering step of gathering the plurality of glass filaments GF to which the sizing agent SA has been applied using a gathering shoe 14. In the application step of the method for manufacturing glass fibers, the applicator roller 17 is reciprocated along the rotation shaft 19 of the applicator roller 17.

[0051] According to this method, by reciprocally moving the applicator roller 17 as described above in the coating process, the position of the applicator roller 17 can be changed with respect to a plurality of glass filaments GF. Thereby, on the outer peripheral surface of the applicator roller 17, for example, the retention of the sizing agent SA that contributes to the cutting of the glass filament GF can be suppressed. Therefore, it becomes possible to suppress the decrease in the productivity of the glass fiber.

[0052] (2) In the coating process of the method for manufacturing glass fibers, the glass filament group GF1 may have a plurality of contact portions GFa that come into contact with the applicator roller 17. The plurality of contact portions GFa are arranged along the axial direction of the applicator roller 17. Such a glass filament group GF1 has a separation portion GFb formed between adjacent contact portions GFa. In this case, the retention of the sizing agent SA on the outer peripheral surface of the applicator roller 17 corresponding to the separation portion GFb of the glass filament group GF1 can be suppressed.

[0053] (3) It is preferable that the minimum interval dimension D1 [mm] of the separation portion GFb of the glass filament group GF1 and the moving distance M [mm] of the reciprocating movement along the rotation axis 19 of the applicator roller 17 satisfy the relationship D1 ≤ M. By satisfying this relationship, the portion of the outer peripheral surface of the applicator roller 17 that does not come into contact with the glass filament GF of the glass filament group GF1 can be reduced. Thereby, the retention of the sizing agent SA on the outer peripheral surface of the applicator roller 17 can be further suppressed.

[0054] For example, the spaced portion GFb of the glass filament group GF1 may extend in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the applicator roller 17 and have an orthogonal portion formed from the upstream end to the downstream end of the contact portion GFa. When the glass filament group GF1 has such a spaced portion GFb, the sizing agent SA is more likely to stay on the outer peripheral surface of the applicator roller 17. In such a case, as described above, satisfying the relationship D1≦M is particularly advantageous from the viewpoint of further suppressing the retention of the sizing agent SA on the outer peripheral surface of the applicator roller 17.

[0055] (4) The maximum distance dimension D2 [mm] of the spaced portion GFb of the glass filament group GF1 and the moving distance M [mm] of the reciprocating movement along the rotation axis 19 of the applicator roller 17 preferably satisfy the relationship D2≦M. In this case, by increasing the contact frequency between the glass filament GF of the glass filament group GF1 and the outer peripheral surface of the applicator roller 17, partial retention of the sizing agent SA on the outer peripheral surface of the applicator roller 17 can be further suppressed.

[0056] (5) In the coating step of the method for producing glass fibers, the first width dimension W1 [mm] and the second width dimension W2 [mm] preferably satisfy the relationship W1≦W2×1.5. In this case, in the coating step, the ratio of the portion of the outer peripheral surface of the applicator roller 17 that is not in contact with the glass filament GF of the glass filament group GF1 can be reduced. Thereby, the amount of deposits generated in the portion of the outer peripheral surface of the applicator roller 17 that is not in contact with the glass filament GF of the glass filament group GF1 can be reduced. Therefore, it becomes possible to effectively use the sizing agent SA.

[0057] (6) The sizing agent SA can also contain a resin having a glycidyl group. Since the resin having a glycidyl group is relatively easy to cure, when using a sizing agent SA containing a resin having a glycidyl group, a cured product is likely to be formed on the outer peripheral surface of the applicator roller 17. At this time, suppressing the retention of the sizing agent SA on the outer peripheral surface of the applicator roller 17 by the method described above is particularly advantageous from the viewpoint of enhancing the productivity of glass fibers. Even when using a sizing agent SA containing a resin having a glycidyl group and a resin other than the resin having a glycidyl group, it is similarly advantageous.

[0058] <Modified Example> The above-described embodiment can be implemented with the following modifications. The above-described embodiment and the following modified examples can be implemented in combination with each other within a technically non-contradictory range.

[0059] · In the above coating step, the glass filament group GF1 has a separation portion GFb formed between a plurality of adjacent contact portions GFa, but is not limited thereto. That is, the coating step can also be applied to a glass filament group GF1 that does not have a separation portion GFb. For example, when there is a portion where the number of glass filaments GF is relatively small at the contact portion GFa of the glass filament group GF1, there is a possibility that the sizing agent SA is likely to remain on the outer peripheral surface of the applicator roller 17 that contacts that portion. Even in such a case, suppressing the retention of the sizing agent SA described above in the coating step is advantageous from the viewpoint of suppressing a decrease in the productivity of glass fibers.

[0060] · As shown in FIG. 7, in the coating step, the separation portion GFb of the glass filament group GF1 may have a shape that does not have an orthogonal portion formed from the upstream end to the downstream end of the contact portion GFa. Even in this case, from the viewpoint of further suppressing the partial retention of the sizing agent SA on the outer peripheral surface of the applicator roller 17, it is preferable that the maximum interval dimension D2 [mm] and the moving distance M [mm] satisfy the relationship D2 ≤ M.

[0061] · In the glass fiber manufacturing apparatus 11, the method of supplying the sizing agent SA to the outer peripheral surface of the applicator roller 17 is not limited to the method of supplying the sizing agent SA in the container 16 of the applicator 13 to the applicator roller 17. For example, by using an applicator roller provided with a flow path for the sizing agent SA inside, the container 16 can be omitted. In this applicator roller, the sizing agent SA supplied to the flow path is discharged from the discharge holes opening to the outer periphery of the roller body, thereby supplying the sizing agent SA to the outer peripheral surface of the applicator roller. Also, for example, the sizing agent SA can be supplied to the outer peripheral surface of the applicator roller by allowing the sizing agent SA to flow down toward the applicator roller.

[0062] · The glass strands GS obtained in the sizing step of the glass fiber manufacturing method can also be used without being wound up. Also, the glass fiber manufacturing method is not limited to the manufacture of the cake CA, and can also be applied to the manufacture of glass direct roving.

Explanation of Signs

[0063] 11… Glass fiber manufacturing apparatus 12… Bushing 13… Applicator 14… Gathering shoe 17… Applicator roller 19… Rotating shaft 21… Reciprocating device D1… Minimum interval dimension D2… Maximum interval dimension GF… Glass filament GF1… Glass filament group GFa… Contact part GFb… Spaced part GS… Glass strand M… Moving distance SA… Sizing agent W1… First width dimension W2… Second width dimension

Claims

1. a drawing step of drawing a plurality of glass filaments from a bushing; a coating step of coating the plurality of glass filaments with a bundling agent using an applicator roller having a rotation shaft that is driven to rotate; a bundling step of bundling the plurality of glass filaments to which the bundling agent has been applied, using a gathering shoe, In the application step, the applicator roller is moved back and forth along the rotation shaft.

2. The glass filament group consisting of the plurality of glass filaments in the application step is arranged along the axial direction of the applicator roller, and has a plurality of contact portions that come into contact with the applicator roller; The method for producing glass fibers according to claim 1 , further comprising: a separation portion formed between adjacent ones of the contact portions.

3. The minimum spacing dimension D1 [mm] of the spaced apart portion and the travel distance M [mm] of the reciprocating movement of the applicator roller along the rotation axis are The method for producing glass fibers according to claim 2 , wherein the relationship D1≦M is satisfied.

4. The maximum spacing dimension D2 [mm] of the spaced apart portion and the travel distance M [mm] of the reciprocating movement of the applicator roller along the rotation axis are The method for producing glass fibers according to claim 2 , wherein the relationship D2≦M is satisfied.

5. In the coating step, a width dimension W1 [mm] of the outer peripheral surface of the applicator roller; Among the width dimensions of the glass filament group consisting of the plurality of glass filaments, the maximum width dimension W2 [mm] at the contact portion that contacts the outer circumferential surface of the applicator roller is The method for producing glass fibers according to claim 1 , wherein the relationship W1≦W2×1.5 is satisfied.

6. The method for producing glass fibers according to claim 1 , wherein the sizing agent contains a resin having a glycidyl group.

7. A bushing for drawing out a plurality of glass filaments; an applicator for applying a sizing agent to the plurality of glass filaments; a gathering shoe for bundling the plurality of glass filaments to which the sizing agent is applied, The applicator includes an applicator roller having a rotation shaft that is driven to rotate; a reciprocating device that reciprocates the applicator roller along the rotation axis.

Images