Information output device and manufacturing system

Abstract

To enable efficient acquisition of condition information on the condition of an object.SOLUTION: An information output device is provided, comprising a moving unit for moving an object in a predetermined movement direction, a temperature changing unit for changing temperature of the object on a front surface while the object is being moved, a measurement unit for measuring temperature on a back surface of the object being moved and of which temperature has been changed, and an output unit configured to output condition information on the condition of the object based on the temperature acquired from the measurement unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information output device, a manufacturing system, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent document 1 discloses a content information acquisition device that includes a heating unit that irradiates light onto a composite material containing fibers to heat the composite material, a detection unit that detects the temperature distribution in the area of ​​the composite material heated by the heating unit, and an acquisition unit that acquires information regarding the fiber content in the composite material based on the temperature distribution detected by the detection unit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-178970 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Incidentally, in a manufacturing process for manufacturing an object such as a composite material, it is preferable to be able to efficiently acquire status information relating to the status of the object for quality control. The technology disclosed in this specification has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to efficiently obtain status information relating to the status of an object. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] With this objective in mind, the technology disclosed in this specification is an information output device that includes a moving unit that moves an object in a predetermined direction of movement, a temperature change unit that changes the temperature of the surface of the object while it is moving, a measurement unit that measures the temperature of the back surface of the object while it is moving and whose temperature has changed, and an output unit that outputs status information regarding the status of the object based on the temperature obtained from the measurement unit. Here, the temperature change unit forms a change area on the movement path of the object to change the temperature of the surface of the object, and the measurement unit measures the temperature of the back surface of the object at a measurement position located downstream of the upstream end of the change area. In addition, the measurement unit measures the temperature of the back surface of the object at a reference position located upstream of the measurement position, and the output unit outputs the status information using the temperature when the measurement point of the object is located at the reference position and the temperature when the measurement point is located at the measurement position. In addition, the temperature change section may form the change region over the entire area in a cross direction that crosses the movement direction of the object, and the measurement section may measure the temperature of the rear surface of the object over the entire area in the cross direction. The temperature change section may form the change area by irradiating a surface of the object with light. The temperature control unit may further include a suppression unit that suppresses unevenness in the light irradiated from the temperature change unit to the object. The suppression section may further include a diffusion section between the temperature change section and the object, the diffusion section diffusing light emitted by the temperature change section. The suppression unit may further include a change unit that changes a distance between the temperature change unit and the object. The object may further include a surrounding portion that surrounds an area on the front surface side of the object facing the temperature change portion. The upstream side of the transition region may be formed in a straight line extending in a direction intersecting the direction of movement.

[0006] From another perspective, the technology disclosed in this specification is a manufacturing system that includes a processing unit that processes an object while moving it, a temperature change unit that changes the temperature of the surface of the object while it is moving, a measurement unit that measures the temperature of the back surface of the object while it is moving and whose temperature has changed, and an output unit that outputs status information regarding the status of the object based on the temperature obtained from the measurement unit.

[0007] From another perspective, the technology disclosed in this specification is an information output device that includes a temperature change unit that changes the temperature of the entire surface of an object, a measurement unit that measures the temperature of the back surface of the object, and an output unit that outputs status information regarding the status of the object based on the temperature obtained from the measurement unit.

[0008] From another perspective, the technology disclosed in this specification is an information output device that includes a moving unit that moves an object in a predetermined moving direction, a heating unit that forms a heating area on the movement path of the object to heat the surface of the object, a first measuring unit that is upstream in the heating area and measures the temperature of the back surface of the object, a second measuring unit that is downstream in the heating area and measures the temperature of the back surface of the object, and an output unit that outputs status information regarding the internal state of the object identified based on the difference in temperature measured by the second measuring unit at the measurement point of the object relative to the temperature measured by the first measuring unit at the measurement point of the object.

[0009] From another perspective, the technology disclosed in this specification is a program that causes a computer used to evaluate an object whose surface temperature is changed while it is moving to perform the following functions: measuring the temperature of the back surface of the object that is moving and whose temperature has changed; and outputting status information regarding the status of the object based on the obtained temperature.

[0010] From another perspective, the technology disclosed in this specification is a program that causes a computer to perform the functions of measuring the temperature of the back surface of an object whose surface temperature has been changed over its entire area, and outputting status information regarding the status of the object based on the obtained temperature. Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the technology disclosed in this specification, it is possible to efficiently acquire status information relating to the status of an object. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a manufacturing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is an overall perspective view of a fiber condition evaluation device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a functional configuration diagram of a computer according to the present embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining evaluation of an object. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a test using a measurement sample. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of evaluation of the internal state by the fiber state evaluation device of the present embodiment. [Figure 7] 4 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the fiber condition evaluation device. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of a fiber condition evaluation device according to a modified example. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of a fiber condition evaluation device according to a modified example. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a computer hardware configuration. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. <Configuration of manufacturing system 1> FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a manufacturing system 1 according to the present embodiment.

[0014] The manufacturing system 1 of this embodiment comprises a processing device 3 that processes the object 100 to be manufactured, a fiber condition evaluation device 5 that evaluates the object 100 processed by the processing device 3, a post-processing device 7 that performs post-processing on the object 100 processed by the processing device 3, and a control device 9 that provides overall control of each device that constitutes the manufacturing system 1.

[0015] Here, the target object 100 manufactured by the manufacturing system 1 of this embodiment can be, for example, a composite material in which fibers are combined with a synthetic resin to improve strength. The manufacturing system 1 of this embodiment manufactures carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP), which are fiber reinforced plastics that use carbon fiber as a reinforcing material. Thermosetting resins such as unsaturated polyester resin, epoxy resin, and phenol resin can be used as the base material of the carbon fiber reinforced resin. The thermosetting resin may be composed of a single type, or a mixture of multiple types. Furthermore, a thermoplastic resin may be used depending on the manufacturing method of the composite material. Furthermore, there is no particular limitation on the method for manufacturing the composite material by the manufacturing system 1. In the manufacturing system 1 of this embodiment, for example, a Sheet Molding Compound (SMC) molding method is used.

[0016] [Processing equipment 3] The processing device 3 has a front film supply unit 31 that supplies a front film 100a which is a thin resin, a front resin supply unit 32 that supplies resin to the front film 100a, a back film supply unit 33 that supplies a back film 100b which is a thin resin, and a back resin supply unit 34 that supplies resin to the back film 100b. The processing device 3 also has a carbon fiber supply unit 35 that supplies carbon fiber, a chopper 36 that chops the carbon fiber, and an impregnation device 37 that impregnates the carbon fiber with resin and transports the target object 100 while producing it.

[0017] The front film supplying unit 31 has a roll around which a thin resin film is wound. The front film supplying unit 31 pays out the front film 100a to the impregnation device 37. The front film 100a supplied from the front film supplying unit 31 forms the front surface 101 of the target object 100. The front-side resin supply unit 32 applies liquid resin to the front-side film 100a. The front-side resin supply unit 32 applies resin to the side of the front-side film 100a that faces the back-side film 100b.

[0018] The back film supplying unit 33 has a roll on which a thin resin film is wound. The back film supplying unit 33 delivers the back film 100b to the impregnation device 37. The back film 100b supplied from the back film supplying unit 33 forms the back surface 103 of the target object 100. The back-side resin supply unit 34 applies liquid resin to the back-side film 100b. The back-side resin supply unit 34 applies resin to the side of the back-side film 100b that faces the front-side film 100a.

[0019] The carbon fiber supply unit 35 has a roll around which rope-like carbon fiber is wound. The chopper 36 cuts the carbon fibers fed from the carbon fiber supply unit 35. The carbon fibers cut by the chopper 36 are scattered on the resin applied to the back film 100b.

[0020] The impregnation device 37 has a pair of endless rotating belts, which are arranged facing each other. A front film 100a coated with resin and a back film 100b coated with resin and sprinkled with carbon fiber are introduced into the impregnation device 37. The impregnation device 37 applies pressure to the front film 100a and the back film 100b with the carbon fiber and resin sandwiched therebetween, and bonds them together. The impregnation device 37 then creates a sheet-like object 100. The impregnation device 37 of the present embodiment may be, for example, a type that uses a rotating belt made of a metal mesh. As the impregnation device 37, various types such as a grooved roll having grooves formed on the surface may be used as long as it can promote the impregnation of the resin into the carbon fibers. In the description of this embodiment, the side of the target object 100 on which the front film 100a is provided is called the front surface 101, and the side on which the back film 100b is provided is called the back surface 103.

[0021] The direction in which the impregnation device 37 transports the front film 100a and the back film 100b is the moving direction D of the sheet-like object 100. In this embodiment, the impregnation device 37 transports the front film 100a and the back film 100b at a constant speed. Therefore, the object 100 moves at a constant speed in the moving direction D. Furthermore, in the moving direction D of the target object 100, the side where the impregnation device 37 is provided is referred to as the upstream side, and the side where the post-treatment device 7 is provided is referred to as the downstream side. Also, the intersecting direction intersecting with the moving direction D of the target object 100 is referred to as the width direction W (see FIG. 2 described later).

[0022] [Fiber condition evaluation device 5] FIG. 2 is an overall perspective view of the fiber condition evaluating device 5 of the present embodiment. In the description of this embodiment, the direction along the movement direction D of the object 100 in Fig. 2 may be referred to as the x-direction. The direction along the width direction W of the object 100 in Fig. 2 may be referred to as the y-direction. Furthermore, the up-down direction in Fig. 2 may be referred to as the z-direction. The horizontal plane when the fiber condition evaluation device 5 is actually installed corresponds to the xy plane, and the vertical direction corresponds to the z-direction.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 2, the fiber condition evaluation device 5 includes a heating section 40 that faces the object 100 and heats the object 100, an infrared thermograph (lock-in thermograph) 50 that faces the object 100 and measures the temperature of the object 100, and a computer 60 that receives a signal from the infrared thermograph 50. The fiber condition evaluation device 5 is provided downstream of the processing device 3 and upstream of the post-processing device 7 (see FIG. 1). The fiber condition evaluation device 5 evaluates the internal condition of the target object 100.

[0024] In the fiber condition evaluation device 5 of this embodiment, the heating unit 40 changes the temperature of the front surface 101 of the object 100 during movement. The infrared thermograph 50 measures the temperature of the back surface 103 of the object 100 during movement and whose temperature has changed. Then, the computer 60 outputs condition information regarding the internal condition of the object 100 based on the temperature acquired from the infrared thermograph 50. The heating unit 40, the infrared thermograph 50, and the computer 60 that constitute the fiber condition evaluation device 5 will be described in detail below.

[0025] In this embodiment, a halogen lamp or a surface-emitting laser that radiates infrared rays can be used as the heating unit 40. The heating unit 40 heats the surface 101 of the object 100 to form a heating region 400 that changes the temperature of the object 100. In this embodiment, the object 100 moves in a moving direction D. Therefore, the heating unit 40 forms the heating region 400 on the moving path of the object 100. The heating region 400 of this embodiment is formed in a certain range in the movement direction D of the object 100. Furthermore, the heating region 400 of this embodiment is formed over the entire area in the width direction W of the object 100. In this manner, the heating unit 40 of this embodiment performs surface heating, which heats the object 100 in a planar manner.

[0026] Furthermore, the heating unit 40 has a change unit 45 that can change the position in the z direction. That is, the heating unit 40 can be moved by the change unit 45 in a direction toward and away from the target object 100. For example, when a halogen lamp is used as the heating unit 40, the light intensity in the heating region 400 may vary due to the characteristics of optical members such as lenses. In response to this, the changing unit 45 makes it possible to make the light intensity in the heating region 400 uniform, for example, by moving the heating unit 40 away from the target object 100. In this way, the changing unit 45 suppresses unevenness in the light in the heating region 400 by changing the distance from the target object 100.

[0027] The infrared thermograph 50 measures the temperature of the object 100 from the back surface 103 side. The infrared thermograph 50 forms a measurement area 500 on the object 100 to acquire the temperature of the object 100. The measurement area 500 in this embodiment is formed on the back surface 103 side of the object 100 at a position corresponding to the heating area 400 formed on the front surface 101 side. The infrared thermograph 50 then acquires infrared rays radiated from the back surface 103 of the object 100 in a planar manner.

[0028] Note that the infrared thermographer 50 may be configured to be able to change its position in the z direction, similar to the heating unit 40. That is, the infrared thermographer 50 may be configured to be able to move toward and away from the object 100. In this case, the infrared thermographer 50 can arbitrarily adjust the size of the measurement area 500 relative to the object 100.

[0029] The computer 60, together with the infrared thermograph 50, continuously captures and calculates infrared images based on a frame rate at a predetermined interval, and creates an averaged image from the amount of temperature change that changes over time (lock-in method). More specifically, the computer 60 processes the data obtained by the infrared thermograph 50 and evaluates the fiber condition of the target object 100.

[0030] FIG. 3 is a functional configuration diagram of the computer 60 of this embodiment. Next, the functional configuration of the computer 60 to which this embodiment is applied will be described with reference to FIG.

[0031] 3, a computer 60 to which this embodiment is applied includes a temperature acquisition unit 61 that acquires temperature information from the infrared thermograph 50, and a temperature rise calculation unit 62 that uses the acquired temperature information to calculate a temperature rise in the object 100. The computer 60 also includes an evaluation unit 63 that evaluates the internal state of the object 100 based on the calculated temperature rise, and an evaluation result output unit 64 that outputs the calculated evaluation result.

[0032] The computer 60 of this embodiment evaluates the object 100, more specifically, evaluates the fiber state of the object 100, based on the temperature information of the object 100 detected by the infrared thermograph 50. Here, the fiber state can be exemplified by the state of the fibers contained in the object 100. In addition, the computer 60 specifies the degree of impregnation (described later) as the evaluation of the object 100 (evaluation of the fiber state).

[0033] <Evaluation> Next, the evaluation of the object 100 will be described. In the following, first the configuration of the object 100 will be explained, and then the evaluation of the object 100 will be explained in detail. First, the configuration of the target object 100 will be described. The target object 100 is made of carbon fiber reinforced resin as described above. This target object 100 is made by impregnating carbon fibers (reinforcement) with a resin (base material) such as epoxy resin. To explain further, the target object 100 of this embodiment is made of discontinuous fiber CFRP using discontinuous fibers with a relatively short fiber length, rather than continuous fibers with a relatively long fiber length as in conventional CFRP.

[0034] This discontinuous fiber CFRP is suitable for mass production because it can be molded into complex shapes in a short time. However, in the manufacturing process of discontinuous fiber CFRP, for example, at the stage of the intermediate substrate before pressure (pressing), unimpregnated areas where the carbon fibers are not sufficiently impregnated with resin may appear. Here, during press molding in the manufacturing process, the fibers flow together with the resin. Therefore, if there are unimpregnated areas, there will be areas where the fibers do not flow sufficiently, which will result in the formation of voids in the molded product and put a load on the press equipment.

[0035] Therefore, in the evaluation of the target object 100 in this embodiment, the unimpregnated portion is identified from the temperature rise when the surface of the target object 100 is heated.

[0036] Here, the degree of impregnation indicates the degree of impregnation of a material (base material, resin) contained in the object 100. In the following description, the degree of impregnation may be expressed as good / bad. For example, a good degree of impregnation indicates that the object 100 contains a relatively large amount of the target material (resin). To explain further, a good degree of impregnation indicates that the volume fraction of the resin in the object 100 is high and the voids are small. On the other hand, a poor degree of impregnation indicates that the object 100 contains a relatively small amount of the target material. To explain further, a poor degree of impregnation indicates that the volume fraction of the resin in the object 100 is low and the voids are large. The degree of impregnation may be calculated quantitatively as a numerical value. The degree of impregnation can also be regarded as information regarding the density of the object 100.

[0037] Further, the carbon fiber distribution amount indicates the amount of a certain material (reinforcement, carbon fiber) contained in the object 100. In the following explanation, the carbon fiber distribution amount is expressed as high / low. In other words, a high carbon fiber distribution amount indicates that the target material (carbon fiber) is contained in the object 100 in a relatively large amount (densely distributed). To explain further, a high carbon fiber distribution amount indicates that the volume fraction of carbon fiber in the object 100 is high. Further, a low carbon fiber distribution amount indicates that the target material is contained in the object 100 in a relatively small amount (sparsely distributed). To explain further, a low carbon fiber distribution amount indicates that the volume fraction of carbon fiber in the object 100 is low. Note that the carbon fiber distribution amount may be quantitatively calculated as a numerical value.

[0038] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the evaluation of the object 100. As shown in FIG. In the following, an impregnated CFRP 110 which is an object 100 having a good degree of impregnation and an unimpregnated CFRP 130 which is an object 100 having a poor degree of impregnation will be described. FIG. 4(A) is a conceptual diagram of a cross section of the impregnated CFRP 110, and FIG.

[0039] As shown in Fig. 4(A), the impregnated CFRP 110 has a material structure in which the resin 113 fills the space around the carbon fibers 111. On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 4(B), the unimpregnated CFRP 130 has a material structure in which there is less resin 113 around the carbon fibers 111 and voids 115 exist.

[0040] The carbon fibers 111 are randomly distributed within the impregnated CFRP 110 and the unimpregnated CFRP 130. Therefore, the overlap of the carbon fibers 111 and the amount of distribution in the thickness direction vary depending on the position in the impregnated CFRP 110 and the unimpregnated CFRP 130. In addition, the volume fraction of the voids 115 can be expressed as a value obtained by subtracting the volume fraction of the carbon fibers and the volume fraction of the resin from 1. The voids 115 can be regarded as air layers.

[0041] In the impregnated CFRP 110 and the unimpregnated CFRP 130 as described above, the thermal conduction when the surface 101 is heated by the heating part 40 will be considered. First, in the impregnated CFRP 110 shown in Fig. 4(A), heat conduction accompanying heating of the front surface 101 mainly occurs through the carbon fibers 111 and the resin 113. On the other hand, in the unimpregnated CFRP 130 shown in Fig. 4(B), heat conduction is hindered by voids 115. Therefore, when the temperature is measured from the rear surface 103 side, the temperature rise caused by heating of the front surface 101 side is higher in the impregnated CFRP 110 than in the unimpregnated CFRP 130. The fiber state evaluation device 5 of the present embodiment utilizes the above-mentioned thermal conduction characteristics to evaluate the internal state, including the presence or absence of unimpregnated parts, in the target object 100, which is pre-molded CFRP.

[0042] Next, the test results of the measurement samples using the evaluation method of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a test using a measurement sample 200. 5A is an overall view of the measurement sample 200, and FIG. 5B is a temperature rise distribution diagram obtained from the measurement sample 200. As shown in FIG.

[0043] The measurement sample 200 shown in Fig. 5(A) is a rectangular CFRP with an unimpregnated portion 200D intentionally provided in the center. Then, this measurement sample 200 is placed, and the heating unit 40 (see Fig. 2) irradiates light onto the entire measurement sample 200 from one side of the measurement sample 200. Furthermore, the infrared thermograph 50 and the computer 60 (see Fig. 2) measure the temperature and calculate the temperature rise from the other side of the measurement sample 200. The temperature measurement range of the measurement sample 200 is the rectangular range shown in Fig. 5(A). The infrared thermograph 50 and the computer 60 performed surface heating on the measurement sample 200 and calculated the temperature rise of the measurement sample 200 for 10 seconds.

[0044] As shown in the temperature rise distribution in Fig. 5(B), the temperature rise in the center of the measurement sample 200 where the unimpregnated portion 200D is provided is smaller than that in other portions. In this way, it was confirmed that when the measurement sample 200 has the unimpregnated portion 200D, the temperature rise in the unimpregnated portion 200D is smaller than that in other regions.

[0045] FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the evaluation of the internal state by the fiber state evaluation device 5 of this embodiment. Each diagram constituting FIG. 6 shows a change in the position of a measurement point P (described later) accompanying the movement of the target object 100. 6(A-1) to 6(C-1) show the fiber condition evaluation device 5 as viewed from the y direction. A heating unit 40 is disposed above the object 100 in the z direction. An infrared thermograph 50 is disposed below the object 100. The object 100 is disposed between the heating unit 40 and the infrared thermograph 50 in the z direction, and moves in a movement direction D along the xy plane. Moreover, FIG. 6(A-2) to FIG. 6(C-2) are views of the target object 100 seen from the z direction.

[0046] As shown in FIGS. 6(A-1) to 6(C-1), the heating unit 40 irradiates light (infrared rays) toward the object 100 from the front surface 101 side of the object 100. The heating unit 40 then forms a heated region 400 on the front surface 101 side of the object 100. The infrared thermographer 50 measures the surface temperature of the object 100 from the back surface 103 side of the object 100. The infrared thermographer 50 then forms a measurement region 500 on the back surface 103 side of the object 100.

[0047] The temperature acquisition unit 61 (see FIG. 3) of the computer 60 acquires temperature information of the measurement area 500 from the infrared thermography 50. The temperature rise calculation unit 62 (see FIG. 3) of the computer 60 of this embodiment sets a first measurement line S1 and a second measurement line S2 for the measurement area 500 acquired by the temperature acquisition unit 61. The temperature rise calculation unit 62 also acquires information on the transport speed of the object 100 from the control device 9 (see FIG. 1). The temperature rise calculation unit 62 then identifies the temperature rise of the object 100 using the temperature information of each of the first measurement line S1 and the second measurement line S2 and the information on the transport speed of the object 100. Furthermore, the evaluation unit 63 of the computer 60 evaluates the object 100 based on the information on the temperature rise of the object 100. Hereinafter, a specific description will be given with reference to FIG. 6.

[0048] As shown in FIGS. 6(A-2) to 6(C-2), the first measurement line S1 is formed along the width direction W of the object 100. In particular, the first measurement line S1 in this embodiment is set over the entire area of ​​the width direction W of the object 100. The second measurement line S2 is provided downstream of the first measurement line S1 in the movement direction D of the object 100. The second measurement line S2 is formed along the width direction W of the object 100. In particular, the second measurement line S2 in this embodiment is set over the entire area of ​​the width direction W of the object 100.

[0049] The first measurement line S1 of this embodiment is provided on the upstream side of the heating region 400. The first measurement line S1 can be considered to be provided at the start point of heating of the object 100. The second measurement line S2 of this embodiment is provided at the rear end, which is the downstream end of the heating region 400. The second measurement line S2 can be considered to be provided at the end point of heating of the object 100.

[0050] 6(A-1) to 6(C-1), a specific location on the object 100 is referred to as a measurement location P. This measurement location P is a strip-shaped region formed along the width direction W of the object 100 and having a certain width in the movement direction D.

[0051] Then, as shown in Figures 6 (A-1) and 6 (A-2), the temperature rise calculation unit 62 of the computer 60 acquires the temperature of the first measurement line S1 at the time when the measurement point P of the moving object 100 overlaps with the first measurement line S1.

[0052] Thereafter, the object 100 moves along the movement direction D. As shown in Fig. 6 (B-1) and Fig. 6 (B-2), the measurement point P moves within the heating region 400. Therefore, the measurement point P is in a state where heating is continuously performed while moving. The heating time of the measurement point P depends on the transport speed of the object 100, but in this embodiment, it can be, for example, 5 to 15 seconds.

[0053] 6(C-1) and 6(C-2), the temperature rise calculation unit 62 of the computer 60 acquires the temperature of the second measurement line S2 at the timing when the measurement point P of the moving object 100 overlaps with the second measurement line S2. This timing can be determined based on the transport speed of the object 100 acquired from the control device 9 and the distance between the first measurement line S1 and the second measurement line S2.

[0054] Then, the temperature rise calculation unit 62 of the computer 60 determines the temperature rise associated with the measurement point P moving through the heating area 400 from the difference between the temperature when the measurement point P is located on the first measurement line S1 and the temperature when the measurement point P is located on the second measurement line S2.

[0055] Similarly, the temperature rise calculation unit 62 can obtain information on the difference in temperature between the first measurement line S1 and the second measurement line S2 for other measurement points different from the measurement point P located downstream in the movement direction D of the measurement point P of the object 100. In this manner, the temperature rise calculation unit 62 scans the moving object 100 to identify the temperature rise of the object 100 passing through the heating region 400 over the entire area in the width direction W and movement direction D of the object 100.

[0056] The evaluation unit 63 of the computer 60 evaluates the presence or absence of an unimpregnated portion in the object 100 based on the information on the temperature rise identified by the temperature rise calculation unit 62. Specifically, when the evaluation unit 63 determines that there is a portion in the object 100 where the temperature rise is small, it evaluates that the portion is an unimpregnated portion. If the evaluation unit 63 determines that the target object 100 is an unimpregnated portion, the evaluation result output unit 64 outputs the determination result as state information regarding the internal state of the target object 100.

[0057] Here, when there is a portion where the rising temperature is lower compared to other portions in the width direction W of the target object 100, the evaluation unit 63 of this embodiment can evaluate the portion as an unimpregnated portion. Similarly, when there is a portion where the rising temperature is lower compared to other portions in the movement direction D of the target object 100, the evaluation unit 63 can evaluate the portion as an unimpregnated portion. Furthermore, when there is a portion where the rising temperature is lower compared to a predetermined threshold value, rather than compared to other portions, the evaluation unit 63 can evaluate the portion as an unimpregnated portion.

[0058] The evaluation unit 63 may evaluate the density of the object 100 based on information on a temperature rise in the object 100. Furthermore, the evaluation unit 63 may evaluate the volume fraction of carbon fibers in the object 100 based on information on a temperature rise in the object 100. Then, the evaluation result output unit 64 may output the information on the density and the information on the volume fraction of carbon fibers evaluated by the evaluation unit 63 as state information.

[0059] In addition, the position of the first measurement line S1 set on the upstream side of the moving direction D is not limited to being provided at a position overlapping with the heating region 400. For example, the first measurement line S1 may be provided further upstream of the upstream end, which is the end on the upstream side of the heating region 400. Similarly, the position of the second measurement line S2 set on the downstream side of the moving direction D is not limited to being located at a position overlapping with the heating region 400. The second measurement line S2 only needs to be able to measure the temperature change caused by the target object 100 being heated by the heating unit 40. Therefore, the second measurement line S2 only needs to be located downstream of the upstream end, which is the end on the upstream side of the heating region 400. However, when determining the difference with the temperature measured by the first measurement line S1, the second measurement line S2 needs to be located downstream of the first measurement line S1.

[0060] In addition, in the fiber condition evaluation device 5 of the present embodiment, evaluation is performed based on temperature information of the first measurement line S1 and the second measurement line S2 in the measurement area 500 measured by a single infrared thermograph 50, but is not limited to this aspect. The fiber condition evaluation device 5 may be provided with, for example, an infrared thermograph for measuring the first measurement line S1 and another infrared thermograph for measuring the second measurement line S2 separately.

[0061] Furthermore, as described above, for example, the measurement point P of the object 100 measured by the first measurement line S1 and the second measurement line S2 is formed in a strip shape having a certain width in the movement direction D. This is similar to other measurement points different from the measurement point P. Therefore, the temperature rise calculation unit 62 can create a temperature rise distribution of the object 100 by arranging, in the movement direction D, the information on the temperature rises identified for each of the multiple measurement points including the above-mentioned measurement point P. Then, the evaluation result output unit 64 may be configured to output the temperature rise distribution created by the temperature rise calculation unit 62 as the evaluation result.

[0062] <Operation> Next, the operation of the fiber condition evaluation device 5 configured as above will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the fiber condition evaluation device 5.

[0063] 7, first, the heating unit 40 in the fiber condition evaluating device 5 heats the surface 101 of the object 100 with emitted light (infrared rays) (step 701). At this time, the object 100 moves along the moving direction D. Therefore, the object 100 is continuously heated in the moving direction D. Then, the temperature at the measurement point P on the first measurement line S1 is obtained based on the temperature information measured by the infrared thermograph 50 (step 702). Further, based on the temperature information measured by the infrared thermograph 50, the temperature in the second measurement line S2 of the measurement point P where the temperature in the first measurement line S1 has been obtained is obtained (step 703).

[0064] Then, the evaluation unit 63 evaluates the target object 100 based on the increased temperature, which is the difference between the temperatures of the first measurement line S1 and the second measurement line S2 acquired for the measurement point P (step 704). For example, when there is a point where the temperature difference between the temperature measured at the first measurement line S1 and the temperature measured at the second measurement line S2 is small, the evaluation unit 63 evaluates that there is an unimpregnated portion at that point.

[0065] Then, the evaluation result output unit 64 displays the evaluation result of the target object 100 on a display means (not shown) such as a liquid crystal display (step 705). When it is determined that the object 100 has an unimpregnated portion, an operation such as attaching a mark to the corresponding portion of the object 100 can be performed. When it is determined that the object 100 has an unimpregnated portion, the evaluation result output unit 64 can output information that can identify the corresponding portion of the object 100. The corresponding portion of the object 100 can be identified based on information on the manufacturing conditions, such as the conveying speed of the object 100, obtained from the control device 9.

[0066] As described above, in the manufacturing system 1 of this embodiment, evaluation of the sheet-like object 100 is performed while the object 100 is being transported. As a result, in the manufacturing system 1 of this embodiment, the fiber condition evaluation device 5 can continuously acquire condition information on the internal condition of the object 100 over a wide range of the sheet-like object 100. The fiber condition evaluation device 5 of this embodiment can efficiently acquire condition information of the object 100. Furthermore, in the manufacturing system 1 of this embodiment, it is possible to manufacture the object 100 while evaluating the object 100, without stopping the manufacture of the object 100 in order to evaluate the object 100.

[0067] In addition, in the manufacturing system 1, the target object 100 is heated by the heating unit 40 for the evaluation. However, the heating time of the target object 100 by the heating unit 40 is a relatively short time until the target object 100 passes through the heating region 400. Here, the object 100 is, for example, an intermediate substrate called pre-molded CFRP, which is then molded into a desired shape by heating and pressurizing it with a press or the like. Therefore, it is not preferable to heat the object 100 for a long time in order to evaluate the object 100. In contrast, in the manufacturing system 1 of the present embodiment, the target object 100 is evaluated by heating for a relatively short period of time, so that the effect of heating on the target object 100 can be suppressed.

[0068] [Post-processing device 7] 1, the post-processing device 7 is provided downstream of the fiber condition evaluation device 5. The post-processing device 7 has a roll device that winds up the processed object 100. The post-processing device 7 then winds up the sheet-like object 100 that is output from the processing device 3 and passed through the fiber condition evaluation device 5. In addition, the post-processing device 7 may be a folding device that continuously folds the sheet-like object 100, a cutting device that cuts the sheet-like object 100 along the width direction W, or a press machine that heats and pressurizes the object 100 to form it into a predetermined shape.

[0069] Incidentally, for example, when the sheet-like object 100 is wound up on a roll device in the post-processing device 7, the resin constituting the object 100 may seep out as the object 100 is wound up. In response to this, in the manufacturing system 1 of the present embodiment, the object 100 is slightly heated by the heating unit 40 installed upstream of the post-processing device 7. Therefore, in the manufacturing system 1, the object 100 may be heated by the heating unit 40 under heating conditions that suppress the resin from seeping out of the object 100.

[0070] [Control device 9] As shown in Fig. 1, the control device 9 controls the processing device 3 and the post-processing device 7 involved in the manufacture of the object 100. Specifically, the control device 9 controls, for example, the supply speed of the front film 100a by the front film supply unit 31, the supply speed of the back film 100b by the back film supply unit 33, the rotation speed of the rotating belt in the impregnation device 37, and the like. That is, the control device 9 controls the conditions related to the conveying speed of the object 100. The control device 9 also controls the amount of resin supplied by the front resin supply unit 32 and the back resin supply unit 34, and the amount of carbon fiber supplied by the carbon fiber supply unit 35. That is, the control device 9 controls the conditions related to the internal state of the object 100.

[0071] The control device 9 of this embodiment is configured to be capable of communicating with the computer 60. The control device 9 is capable of transmitting, to the computer 60, information related to the manufacturing conditions of the object 100 that is required to evaluate the internal state of the object 100. Specifically, the control device 9 transmits information related to the conveying speed of the object 100 to the computer 60. Furthermore, the control device 9 can obtain the evaluation result of the internal state of the object 100 from the computer 60. For example, the control device 9 may change the manufacturing conditions of the object 100 according to the evaluation result of the object 100 obtained from the computer 60. In this manner, the manufacturing system 1 of this embodiment is capable of performing feedback control for changing the manufacturing conditions of the object 100 according to the evaluation of the object 100.

[0072] <Modification> FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a fiber condition evaluating device 5 according to a modified example.

[0073] As shown in Fig. 8(A), the fiber condition evaluating device 5 of the modified example has a diffusion plate 70 that diffuses light (infrared rays) between the heating unit 40 and the target object 100. As shown in Fig. 8(B), the diffusion plate 70 of the modified example is formed in a rectangular shape. The diffusion plate 70 has a constant width in the moving direction D. The diffusion plate 70 is also formed slightly larger than the target object 100 in the width direction W. In the fiber condition evaluation device 5 of the modified example, the outline of the irradiation area of ​​the light irradiated from the heating unit 40 is configured to fit within the size of the diffusion plate 70. That is, in the fiber condition evaluation device 5 of the modified example, the diffusion plate 70 receives the light irradiated from the heating unit 40 and is configured so that the light is not directed directly toward the target object 100.

[0074] Here, when a halogen lamp is used as the heating unit 40, for example, there is a risk that unevenness in the light intensity in the heating region 400 will occur due to the influence on optical members such as lenses. In contrast to this, in the fiber condition evaluating device 5 of the modified example, the light irradiated from the heating unit 40 is made uniform by the diffuser plate 70, and the uniform light is illuminated on the object 100. In this manner, the diffuser plate 70 suppresses unevenness in the light irradiated on the object 100, compared to, for example, a case in which the diffuser plate 70 is not used.

[0075] 8(B), the diffusion plate 70 has an upstream end 70L in the movement direction D that is linear. The diffusion plate 70 is provided such that the end 70L is aligned along the width direction W. As described above, in the fiber condition evaluation device 5 of this embodiment, the moving object 100 is heated by the heating unit 40. The fiber condition evaluation device 5 then evaluates the object 100 based on the temperature change that accompanies the heating. Therefore, it is preferable that the heating conditions by the heating unit 40 are consistent in the direction intersecting with the moving direction D.

[0076] Here, a comparative example will be described. For example, assume that the heating region formed by the heating unit 40 is circular. In this case, the target object 100 is heated in a circular shape. Then, for example, the center part in the width direction W of the target object 100 becomes longer toward the upstream side in the moving direction D compared to other regions. Therefore, the center part of the target object 100 is heated for a longer time compared to the side end parts in the width direction W.

[0077] In contrast, in the fiber condition evaluation device 5 of the modified example, the end 70L of the diffusion plate 70 is formed in a straight line. Therefore, the upstream end 400U of the heating region 400 formed in the target 100 by the heating unit 40 via the diffusion plate 70 is straight along the width direction W. In this way, in the fiber condition evaluation device 5 of the modified example, it is possible to uniform the heating conditions of the target 100 by the heating unit 40.

[0078] <Modification> FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a fiber condition evaluating device 5 according to a modified example.

[0079] As shown in Fig. 9(A), the fiber condition evaluating device 5 of the modified example has a cover section 80 between the heating section 40 and the target object 100. The cover section 80 of the modified example is surrounded by four plates and is formed in a box shape with openings on the upper and lower sides in the z direction. The cover section 80 surrounds the side of the heating section 40 facing the target object 100. The cover section 80 also surrounds the area on the surface 101 side of the target object 100 that faces the heating section 40.

[0080] In the fiber condition evaluation device 5 of the modified example, light irradiated from the heating unit 40 is illuminated inside the cover unit 80 and is further irradiated onto the target object 100. In the fiber condition evaluation device 5 of the modified example, the cover unit 80 is provided, thereby suppressing interference of external light and heat with the heating region 400 formed by the heating unit 40.

[0081] 9(B), the cover portion 80 has an upstream end 80L in the moving direction D that is linear. The cover portion 80 is provided such that the end 80L is aligned along a direction intersecting with the moving direction D. In the fiber condition evaluation device 5 of the modified example, the end 80L of the cover part 80 is formed in a straight line. Therefore, the upstream end 400U of the heating region 400 formed in the target object 100 by the heating part 40 becomes a straight line along the width direction W. In this manner, in the fiber condition evaluation device 5 of the modified example, it is possible to uniform the heating conditions in the moving direction D of the target object 100 by the heating part 40.

[0082] <Hardware configuration of computer 60> FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the computer 60. As shown in FIG.

[0083] As shown in Fig. 10, the computer 60 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 601, which is a computing means, and a main memory 603 and a hard disk drive (HDD) 605, which are storage means. The CPU 601 executes various programs such as an operating system (OS) and application software. The main memory 603 is a storage area that stores various programs and data used for executing the programs. The HDD 605 is a storage area that stores input data for the various programs and output data from the various programs. These components included in the computer 60 execute the various functional components described in Fig. 3 and the like.

[0084] The computer 60 is provided with a communication interface (communication I / F) 607 for communicating with external devices such as the infrared thermograph 50. The programs executed by the CPU 601 (for example, the programs for executing the above-mentioned evaluations) can be stored in the main memory 603 in advance, or can be stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM and provided to the CPU 601, or can be provided to the CPU 601 via a network (not shown).

[0085] <Modification> In this embodiment, the temperature rise of the object 100 is identified based on the temperatures measured at two positions, the first measurement line S1 and the second measurement line S2, and the object 100 is evaluated, but this is not limited to the embodiment. For example, the measurement position of the temperature of the object 100 by the infrared thermography 50 may be a single measurement line, as long as it is downstream of the upstream end, which is the upstream end of the heating area 400. In this case, the computer 60 evaluates the internal state of the object 100 based on the temperature measured at the single measurement line. Specifically, when there is a part of the object 100 measured at a single measurement line where the temperature is equal to or lower than a predetermined threshold, the part may be evaluated as an unimpregnated part.

[0086] <Modification> In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the state of the object 100 is evaluated while the object 100 is moved has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, the fiber state evaluation device 5 may evaluate the state of the object 100 while the object 100 is stationary and not moved. In this case, the heating unit 40 heats the entire surface 101 of the object 100. For example, when the object 100 has a constant width in the x direction and a constant width in the y direction, the heating region 400 formed on the object 100 by the heating unit 40 can be the entire width in the x direction and the entire width in the y direction.

[0087] Then, the infrared thermograph 50 and the computer 60 measure the temperature rise of the object 100 from the back surface 103 side of the object 100. In this case, the temperature measurement area 500 by the infrared thermograph 50 is formed over the entire area of ​​the object 100, similar to the heating area 400, for example. The evaluation unit 63 also specifies the rise in temperature, which is the difference between the temperature measured when the heating unit 40 starts heating and the temperature measured after a predetermined time (for example, 5 to 15 seconds) has elapsed since the heating unit 40 started heating. The evaluation unit 63 then evaluates the internal state of the object 100, such as the presence or absence of an unimpregnated part, based on the rise in temperature. Furthermore, the evaluation result output unit 64 outputs the evaluation of the evaluation unit 63 as state information. Even in this modified example, the fiber condition evaluation device 5 can acquire condition information regarding the internal condition of the object 100 over a wide range of the object 100. And, even in the modified example, the fiber condition evaluation device 5 can efficiently acquire the condition information of the object 100.

[0088] <Modification> In the fiber state evaluation device 5 of the present embodiment, non-contact heating of the object 100 is performed by using light (infrared rays) from a halogen lamp or the like, but the object 100 is not limited to being heated in a non-contact manner. For example, a heat source may be provided inside one of the rotating rolls in the impregnation device 37, so that the surface 101 of the object 100 is heated by the impregnation device 37.

[0089] Furthermore, in the fiber condition evaluation device 5 of the present embodiment, the surface 101 of the object 100 is heated by forming a heating area 400 by the heating unit 40 on the moving path of the object 100, for example, but is not limited to this aspect. The fiber condition evaluation device 5 is only required to be able to heat the surface 101 of the object 100, and does not necessarily need to determine the heating area 400. For example, the fiber condition evaluation device 5 may be such that the heated area on the surface 101 of the object 100 is not constant but changes, for example, by blowing hot air onto the object 100.

[0090] <Modification> Furthermore, in this embodiment, when performing an evaluation based on a temperature change of the object 100, the object 100 is heated by the heating unit 40, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, the temperature of the front surface 101 of the object 100 is lowered using a cooling unit that cools the object 100, and the temperature drop temperature on the back surface 103 of the object 100 is specified. As with the heating by the heating unit 40 described above, when an unimpregnated portion exists in the object 100, the temperature drop in the unimpregnated portion is smaller than that in other portions. Therefore, the evaluation unit 63 can evaluate the portion with the smallest temperature drop as the unimpregnated portion. In this way, the fiber state evaluation device 5 may change the temperature of the object 100 by cooling the object 100, and evaluate the internal state of the object 100.

[0091] In the above embodiment, the target object 100 is described as being made of carbon fiber reinforced resin, but is not limited thereto. In other words, the target object 100 may be made of a material other than a composite material as long as the material is made of a plurality of materials having different thermal conductivities. Furthermore, the target object 100 may be made of, for example, glass, a semiconductor, a polymer film, a liquid crystal, or the like.

[0092] The impregnation device 37 is an example of a moving section. The heating section 40 is an example of a temperature change section or a heating section. The infrared thermography 50 is an example of a measurement section, a first measurement section or a second measurement section. The computer 60 is an example of an output section. The heating area 400 is an example of a change area and a heating area. The fiber state evaluation device 5 is an example of an information output device. The first measurement line S1 is an example of a reference position. The second measurement line S2 is an example of a measurement position. The diffusion plate 70 or the change section 45 is an example of a suppression section. The diffusion plate 70 is an example of a diffusion section. The cover section 80 is an example of an enclosure section. The processing device 3 is an example of a processing section.

[0093] Various embodiments and modifications have been described above, but it goes without saying that these embodiments and modifications may be combined together. Furthermore, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be embodied in various forms without departing from the gist of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0094] 1... manufacturing system, 3... processing device, 5... fiber condition evaluation device, 7... post-processing device, 40... heating section, 45... modification section, 50... infrared thermography, 60... computer, 61... temperature acquisition section, 62... temperature rise calculation section, 63... evaluation section, 64... evaluation result output section, 70... diffusion plate, 70L, 80L... end section, 80... cover section, 400... heating area

Claims

1. A moving unit that moves the object in a predetermined moving direction; a temperature change unit that changes a temperature of the object by irradiating a surface of the object with light while the object is moving; an adjustment unit provided between the temperature change unit and the object, which adjusts a temperature change condition of the object; a measuring unit that is provided at a position facing the temperature change unit across the object and measures the temperature of a rear surface of the object that is moving and has a changed temperature; an output unit that outputs state information regarding a state of the object based on the temperature acquired from the measurement unit; Equipped with the temperature change unit forms a change region that changes a temperature of a surface of the object in a region that spans an entire width in a cross direction that crosses the movement direction of the object and a predetermined width in the movement direction of the object, The measurement unit measures a temperature of a region on the back surface of the object corresponding to the change region, the alignment unit receives light from the temperature change unit and straightens an upstream end of the change area in the movement direction. Information output device.

2. An information output device as described in Claim 1, wherein the measurement unit measures the temperature of the back surface of the object at a measurement position located downstream of the upstream end of the area on the back surface.

3. The measurement unit measures a temperature of a rear surface of the object at a reference position provided upstream of the measurement position, The information output device according to claim 2 , wherein the output section outputs the state information using a temperature when the measurement point of the object is located at the reference position and a temperature when the measurement point is located at the measurement position.

4. The information output device as described in Claim 1, wherein the alignment portion has an upstream end formed in a straight line in the movement direction and has a diffusion portion that diffuses the light irradiated by the temperature change portion.

5. The information output device as described in Claim 1, wherein the alignment portion has an upstream end formed in a straight line in the movement direction and has an enclosure portion that surrounds the area on the surface side of the object that faces the temperature change portion.

6. a processing unit that processes an object while moving the object in a predetermined moving direction; a temperature change unit that changes a temperature of the object by irradiating a surface of the object with light while the object is moving; an adjustment unit provided between the temperature change unit and the object, which adjusts a temperature change condition of the object; a measuring unit that is provided at a position facing the temperature change unit across the object and measures the temperature of a rear surface of the object that is moving and has a changed temperature; an output unit that outputs state information regarding a state of the object based on the temperature acquired from the measurement unit; Equipped with the temperature change unit forms a change region that changes a temperature of a surface of the object in a region that spans an entire width in a cross direction that crosses the movement direction of the object and a predetermined width in the movement direction of the object, The measurement unit measures a temperature of a region on the back surface of the object corresponding to the change region, the alignment unit receives light from the temperature change unit and straightens an upstream end of the change area in the movement direction. Manufacturing system.

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