Vacuum forming method for film-like materials including protruding structures and forming equipment therefor

Abstract

The vacuum molding method and molding equipment for a film-like object including a protruding structure include the following steps: fixing a planar film including a protruding structure on a sealing device; fixing a product model on a vacuum exhaust device; clamping a conveying device on the protruding structure; heating the planar film using a heating device to soften the planar film; controlling the conveying device to move the protruding structure to a predetermined molding position; bringing the sealing device into close contact with the vacuum exhaust device; the vacuum exhaust device extracting air between the planar film and the product model to generate negative pressure, completely attaching the planar film to the surface of the product model to mold a finished film including a protruding structure; and removing the finished film including the protruding structure after cooling.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for quickly forming a thin-shell plastic structure and the equipment for forming it, specifically to a vacuum forming method for a film-like object including a protruding structure and its forming equipment, particularly referring to a special protruding structure on a thin-shell plastic.

Background Art

[0002] The processing and manufacturing of plastics and other plastic molecular structures have already been quite mature with the development of science and technology. Conventional plastic molecular structures can quickly attach a plasticized film-like object to the surface of a mold by evacuating air, and can produce a thin-shell plastic structure such as the contour of the mold surface.

[0003] This forming method is suitable for manufacturing irregular contours or specific customized products. For example, for an inconspicuous mouthpiece, since each patient's teeth have specific irregular contours, after manufacturing a tooth mold of the corresponding dimensions for the patient, it can be formed using the above-mentioned conventional technology.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, such conventional forming techniques are uncontrollable. When quickly attaching a film-like object to the surface of a mold, they lack regularity and are disadvantageous for calculation. Therefore, a special structure was designed at a specific position on the finished product of the thin-shell plastic structure. For example, an engaging structure was designed on the side of an inconspicuous mouthpiece. Therefore, it is difficult to guarantee the forming position of the engaging structure, and defective products are likely to occur. If the special structure is fixed to the finished product of the thin-shell plastic structure by an adhesive method, problems such as poor stability will occur.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] Therefore, to address the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a solution in which, before forming the film-like material, a special structure is simulated in advance using a computer, and the special structure is pre-formed at a predetermined position on the film-like material. When the film-like material is softened via a controllable transport device, the special structure is pre-moved along a simulated path to the molding position, and then the film-like material is vacuum-formed onto the surface of the mold, thereby producing a thin-shell plastic structure having a special structure.

[0006] The present invention provides a vacuum forming method for a film-like material including a protruding structure, comprising the steps of: forming one or more protruding structures on a planar film; fixing the planar film including the protruding structures on a sealing device; fixing a product model on a vacuum exhaust device; and forming one or more of the protruding structures transport The process includes: holding each of the planar film on a conveying device; heating the planar film using a heating device to soften the planar film; controlling the conveying device to move the protruding structure to a predetermined molding position estimated based on the position where the product model is fixed on the vacuum exhaust device, or to hold the protruding structure at the predetermined molding position; bringing the sealing device into close contact with the vacuum exhaust device and positioning the planar film above the product model; and the vacuum exhaust device extracting air between the planar film and the product model to generate negative pressure, thereby completely adhering the planar film to the surface of the product model and forming a finished film including the protruding structure.

[0007] More specifically, the method for forming the protruding structure on the planar film is either by adhesion or by integral molding during the manufacturing of the planar film.

[0008] More specifically, the heating device heats the bottom of the planar membrane.

[0009] More specifically, the transport device is controlled by a three-dimensional vector to displace the protruding structure.

[0010] More specifically, after the finished film is cooled and removed, it is trimmed to form the final product.

[0011] The present invention further includes molding equipment for carrying out the method described above.

[0012] The vacuum forming apparatus for a film-like material including the protruding structure of the present invention includes at least a vacuum exhaust device, a sealing device, a conveying device and a heating device, the vacuum exhaust device having a positioning platform, the positioning platform having a positioning member, the positioning member being used to fix a product model, a sealing ring further attached around the positioning platform, the sealing device corresponding to the vacuum exhaust device, a ring being tightly attached to the inner edge of the sealing device, one or more planar films of the protruding structure being sandwiched between the engaging ring and the sealing device, a lifting device being fixed on the sealing device, the lifting device being electrically connected to a control console, and the control console is When the lifting device is driven, the sealing device is raised and lowered above the vacuum exhaust device, and when it is lowered, the sealing ring comes into close contact, forming a sealed space between the planar membrane and the positioning platform. The conveying device is located on one side of the sealing device and grips or displaces the protruding structure on the planar membrane. The conveying device is connected to a drive unit and controls the movement of the conveying device. The drive unit is electrically connected to the control console. The heating device is located on one side of the sealing device and heats the planar membrane sandwiched between the engagement ring and the sealing device. A moving device is fixed on the heating device, and the heating device and the moving device are electrically connected to the control console.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the product model has a base, the bottom of which is connected to the positioning member, and the product model is positioned on the positioning platform.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the positioning member uses a recessed structure, an engaging mechanism, or a claw to assemble the product model and the positioning platform.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the driver controls the conveying device to move in two or three dimensions.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment, the heating device heats using infrared rays.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017] [Figure 1] It is a diagram showing the overall structural arrangement of the vacuum forming equipment including the protruding structure film-like object of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a partial cross-sectional view showing the vacuum exhaust device of the vacuum forming equipment including the protruding structure film-like object of the present invention. [Figure 3] It is an exploded perspective view showing the sealing device of the vacuum forming equipment including the protruding structure film-like object of the present invention. [Figure 4] It is a cross-sectional view when the vacuum forming equipment including the protruding structure film-like object of the present invention performs heating. [Figure 5] It is a cross-sectional view when the vacuum forming equipment including the protruding structure film-like object of the present invention performs vacuum exhaust. [Figure 6] It is a cross-sectional view when the vacuum forming equipment including the protruding structure film-like object of the present invention performs film forming. [Figure 7] It is a diagram showing the planar film manufactured by the vacuum forming equipment including the protruding structure film-like object of the present invention.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings.

[0019] The method of the present invention will be illustrated and described by the following examples, but the present invention is not limited to the examples described below.

[0020] As used in this specification, the term "integrally formed" refers to corresponding structures produced at different positions, shapes and functions on the same main body or coupled to the same main body when manufacturing one structure or a plurality of structures.

[0021] The method for forming a film-like object including the protruding structure of the present invention uses the film-like object including the protruding structure for one-time vacuum forming, and the steps of the method are as follows. A: One or more protruding structures are formed on a flat film, and the forming method is either through adhesion or integrally formed when manufacturing the flat film; B: Fix the flat film including the protruding structure on a sealing device; C: Fix the product model on a vacuum evacuation device; D: Install one or more conveying devices, and each of these conveying devices clamps on each protruding structure respectively; E: Install a heating device, move this heating device to the bottom of the flat film, heat the bottom of the flat film to soften the flat film, and after the heating is completed, move the heating device aside; F: Operate the conveying device, control it with a three-dimensional vector, bend or pull the protruding structure, or calculate a predetermined forming position based on the position where the product model is moved and fixed on the vacuum evacuation device; G: Synchronously displace the conveying device and the sealing device above the vacuum evacuation device, make the sealing device adhere closely to the vacuum evacuation device, and correspond the flat film above the product model; H: The vacuum evacuation device extracts the air between the flat film and the product model to generate a negative pressure, and completely adheres the flat film to the surface of the product model to form a finished product film including the protruding structure; I: After cooling, take out the finished product film including the protruding structure and trim it to form the final product.

[0022] In addition to the above-described method, the present invention further includes a vacuum forming facility including a protruding structure film-like object. In the following description of preferred embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of the specification, the technical content, features, and effects of the forming facility will become clear.

[0023] As used in this specification, the articles "a", "one", and "any" refer to the grammar of an article that means one or more (i.e., at least one). For example, "a member" means one member or more than one member.

[0024] In this specification, the terms “fixed,” “attached,” “mounted,” “connected,” or “installed” in the description of structural assembly relationships broadly refer to joining multiple structures together in such a way that they do not easily separate or fall apart, or they may be connected in a removable manner, or they may be integrally connected, mechanically connected, or electrically connected, or they may be connected directly physically or indirectly through an intermediate medium, for example, by using any of the following methods: screws, cam pins, hooks, nails, adhesives, or high-frequency.

[0025] The term "up" used in this specification to describe the location of a structure does not refer to the generally used directional "upper" or "upper surface," while the terms "upper" and "lower" used to describe the location of a structure refer to the generally used directional location of the structure.

[0026] This will be explained with reference to Figure 1. In this embodiment, the fabrication of a mouthpiece will be explained as an example. The present invention includes at least a vacuum exhaust device 1, a sealing device 2, a conveying device 3, a heating device 4, and a control console 5. A tooth-shaped product model 6 is fixed onto the vacuum exhaust device 1. The sealing device 2 is used to fix the planar membrane 7, which includes the protruding structure 71.

[0027] The explanation will be given with reference to Figures 1 and 2. The vacuum evacuation device 1 has a positioning platform 11. The positioning platform 11 has a positioning member 12. The positioning member 12 is used to fix the tooth-shaped product model 6. Product model 6 has a base 61 which is of standard size. The bottom of the base 61 is connected to the positioning member 12, the product model 6 is positioned on the positioning platform 11, and the seal ring 13 is attached around the positioning platform 11.

[0028] The positioning member 12 described above may use an assembly structure that corresponds to each other, such as a concave / concave structure, an engaging structure, or a claw portion. This assembly structure utilizes a common technique, so I will not go into detail.

[0029] The aforementioned dental model 6 is formed by transferring a customized human tooth onto a base 61 of standard dimensions. However, since this structural technology is a common dental model used in general dentistry for treating patients' teeth, we will not go into detail.

[0030] The explanation will be given with reference to Figures 1 and 3. The sealing device 2 is annular in shape, and a spiral engagement groove 21 is provided around it. The engagement groove 21 allows the ring 22 to be fitted into it, and the ring 22 is brought into close contact with the inner edge of the sealing device 2. A lifting device 23 is fixed to the sealing device 2. The lifting device 23 is electrically connected to the control console 5.

[0031] The planar membrane 7 is placed on the sealing device 2. When the ring 22 is fitted into the engagement groove 21, the flat membrane 7 is sandwiched between the ring 22 and the sealing device 2.

[0032] The control console 5 drives the lifting device 23 to raise and lower the sealing device 2 above the vacuum exhaust device 1, and then lower it to make the sealing ring 13 tightly contact the surface membrane 7 and the positioning member 12, thereby conveniently performing the operation of expelling air with the vacuum exhaust device 1 to create a vacuum.

[0033] The explanation will be given with reference to Figures 1, 3 to 6. The conveying device 3 is located on one side of the sealing device 2, grips the protruding structure 71 on the planar membrane 7, and performs synchronous lifting and lowering operations in combination with the lifting device 23. If two protruding structures 71 are provided, at least two transport devices 3 are installed, each correspondingly gripping one of the protruding structures 71, and each of the transport devices 3 is connected to a drive unit 31. These drive units 31 move the transport device 3 in two or three dimensions, respectively. The drive units 31 are electrically connected to the control console 5, and calculations and settings on the control console 5 allow these drive units 31 to conveniently operate these transport devices 3 to bend, pull, or move these protruding structures 71 to predetermined forming positions.

[0034] A transport device may be used for the two-dimensional or three-dimensional movement of the transport device 3. The transport device described above may also be a linear arm (rail type), a SCARA arm, or an articulated multi-axis transport device.

[0035] Refer to Figure 7. In this embodiment, when these transport devices 3 symmetrically bend the two protruding structures 71 downward and inward to form the flat film 7 into the mouthpiece of the product model 6, the two protruding structures 71 are positioned symmetrically on both sides and connected and fixed to the mouthpiece, and even when the flat film 7 is being formed, these transport devices 3 still hold the protruding structures 71, thus preventing the position of the protruding structures 71 from changing. The position, angle, or direction of these displacements is calculated by simulating and estimating the molding path of the entire product via a computer, based on a predetermined position on the positioning platform 11 where the base 61, which has standard dimensions, is located.

[0036] The explanation will be given with reference to Figure 7. In this embodiment, the planar membrane 7 described above is used to manufacture a mouthpiece, and the rear sides of the mouthpiece on which the protruding structure 71 described above is formed are used as engaging structures (hook blocks and engaging rings) for fixing purposes. However, when used to manufacture different types of products, the protruding structure 71 may be an outward-convex structure of any shape or an unspecified shape. Since the protruding structures 71 can be manufactured and molded in advance using other technologies, the contour can be made into a special structure, overcoming the limitations of conventional molding techniques that involve expelling air and creating a vacuum, and enabling the production of mouthpieces that are difficult to mold.

[0037] The explanation will be given with reference to Figures 1, 3 to 5. The heating device 4 is located on one side of the sealing device 2 and heats using infrared radiation. A mobile device 41 is fixed to the heating device 4. The heating device 4, the mobile device 41, and the control console 5 are electrically connected.

[0038] When the flat film 7 is sandwiched between the ring 22 and the sealing device 2, the control console 5 drives the moving device 41 to move the heating device 4 below the sealing device 2 and turns on the heating device 4 to heat the flat film 7, allowing the subsequent softening and molding work to proceed smoothly. Since the protruding structure 71 is held by the conveying device 3, the conveying device 3 can dissipate heat from the protruding structure 71. Therefore, the protruding structure 71 does not soften and deform due to heat, and after heating is complete, the control console 5 drives the moving device 41 again to move the heating device 4 from below the sealing device 2.

[0039] The embodiments described above are merely preferred embodiments and do not limit the scope of protection of the present invention. Those skilled in the art will understand the aforementioned technical features and embodiments of the present invention and will also be able to make various changes and modifications (in this embodiment, a mouthpiece is used as an example, but it is not limited to the manufacture of mouthpieces; it may also be applied to the exterior of other specially shaped car models, mobile phone cases, etc.) within the scope of protection of the present invention. (Explanation of symbols)

[0040] 1: Vacuum exhaust system 11: Positioning Platform 12: Positioning member 13: Seal ring 2: Sealing device 21: Engagement groove 22: Ring 23: Lifting device 3: Conveying device 31: Drive unit 4:Heating device 41: Mobile device 5: Control Console 6: Product Model 61:pedestal 7: Planar membrane 71: Highlighting the structure

Claims

1. The steps include: forming one or more protruding structures on a planar film; The steps include fixing the planar membrane, including the protruding structure, onto a sealing device; The steps include: fixing the product model onto the vacuum exhaust device; The steps include: holding one or more of the aforementioned protruding structures on the conveying device; The steps include: heating the flat film using a heating device to soften the flat film; The steps include controlling the transport device to move the protruding structure to a predetermined molding position estimated based on the position in which the product model is fixed on the vacuum exhaust device, or to clamp the protruding structure at the predetermined molding position; The steps include: bringing the sealing device into close contact with the vacuum exhaust device and positioning the planar film to correspond to the upper part of the product model; A vacuum forming method for a film-like object including a protruding structure, characterized by comprising the steps of: the vacuum evacuation device extracting air between the planar film and the product model to generate negative pressure, thereby completely adhering the planar film to the surface of the product model and forming a finished film including the protruding structure;

2. The method for forming the protruding structure on the planar film is characterized by either using adhesive or integral molding during the manufacturing of the planar film, as described in claim 1, for vacuum forming a film-like material including a protruding structure.

3. The method for vacuum forming a film-like material, which includes a protruding structure according to claim 1, is characterized in that the heating device heats the bottom of the planar film.

4. The method for vacuum forming a film-like material including a protruding structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the transport device is controlled by a three-dimensional vector to displace the protruding structure.

5. A vacuum forming method for a film-like material including a protruding structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the finished film is cooled and removed, and then trimmed to form the final product.

6. Vacuum forming equipment for film-like materials including a protruding structure, which includes a vacuum exhaust device, a sealing device, a conveying device, and a heating device, The vacuum evacuation device has a positioning platform, on the positioning platform there is a positioning member, the positioning member is used to fix the product model, and a sealing ring is further attached around the positioning platform. The sealing device is positioned on the vacuum exhaust device, a ring is tightly fitted to the inner edge of the sealing device, and one or more planar membranes of the protruding structures are sandwiched between the engagement ring and the sealing device, a lifting device is fixed on the sealing device, the lifting device is electrically connected to a control console, the control console drives the lifting device, and the sealing device is raised and lowered above the vacuum exhaust device. When lowered, the sealing ring tightly fits, forming a sealed space between the planar membrane and the positioning platform. The conveying device is located on one side of the sealing device and grips or displaces the protruding structure on the planar membrane; the conveying device is connected to a drive unit and controls the movement of the conveying device; the drive unit is electrically connected to the control console. Vacuum forming apparatus for a film-like material including a protruding structure, characterized in that the heating device is located on one side of the sealing device and heats the planar film sandwiched between the engagement ring and the sealing device, a moving device is fixed on the heating device, and the heating device and the moving device are electrically connected to the control console.

7. Vacuum forming apparatus for film-like materials, comprising a protruding structure according to claim 6, wherein the product model has a base, the bottom of the base is connected to the positioning member, and the product model is positioned on the positioning platform.

8. Vacuum forming apparatus for film-like materials, including a protruding structure according to claim 6, characterized in that the positioning member uses a recessed or recessed structure, an engaging or claw portion to assemble the product model and the positioning platform.

9. The vacuum forming apparatus for a film-like material, including a protruding structure, according to claim 6, is characterized in that the drive unit controls the transport device to move it in two or three dimensions.

10. The aforementioned heating device is a vacuum forming apparatus for a film-like material including a protruding structure according to claim 6, characterized in that it uses infrared radiation for heating.

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