Vacuum forming method for membrane-like substance containing raised structure body and forming device thereof

Abstract

A vacuum forming device for a membrane-like substance containing a raised structure body (71). A forming method comprising the following steps: fixing a planar membrane (7) containing the raised structure body (71) to a sealing apparatus (2); fixing a product model (6) onto a vacuumizing apparatus (1); clamping a transfer apparatus (3) onto the raised structure body (71); using a heating apparatus (4) to heat the planar membrane (7) so as to soften the planar membrane (7); and controlling the transfer apparatus (3) to move the raised structure body (71) to a predetermined forming position, the sealing apparatus (2) being tightly attached to the vacuumizing apparatus (1), and the vacuumizing apparatus (1) extracting air between the planar membrane (7) and the product model (6) so as to create a negative pressure and ensure that the planar membrane (7) is completely adhered to the surface of the product model (6), thereby forming a finished membrane containing the raised structure body (71); and taking out the finished membrane containing the raised structure body (71) after cooling.

Description

Vacuum forming method and forming equipment for membrane containing protruding structures Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vacuum forming method and forming equipment for a membrane containing a protruding structure, a method and forming equipment for rapidly forming a thin shell-like plastic structure, and particularly to a thin shell-like plastic structure containing a special protruding structure. Background Art

[0002] With the development of science and technology, the processing and manufacturing of plastics or other plastic molecular structures has become quite mature. Currently, one type of plastic molecular structure is to use vacuum to allow a plastic film to quickly adhere to the surface of a mold, and then further manufacture it into a thin shell-like plastic structure that conforms to the contours of the mold surface.

[0003] This molding method is suitable for manufacturing irregular contours or specific customized products, such as invisible braces. Each patient's teeth have specific irregular contours. Therefore, after manufacturing a tooth mold of the patient's corresponding size, the above-mentioned existing technology can be used to mold them. Technical issues

[0004] However, this molding technology is currently uncontrollable because the membrane is not regular and difficult to calculate when it is quickly attached to the mold surface. Therefore, if special structures are designed at specific locations on the finished thin-shell plastic structure, for example, if a snap-fit ​​structure is designed on the side of invisible braces, it is difficult to ensure the molding position of the snap-fit ​​structure, which is prone to defective products. If the special structure is fixed to the finished thin-shell plastic structure by gluing, it will have the problem of poor stability. Technical Solutions

[0005] To address the above-mentioned problem, the present invention employs a method of constructing a special structure using computer simulation and pre-forming it at a predetermined position on the membrane before the membrane is formed. A controllable transfer device is used to pre-displace the special structure along the simulation path to the forming position when the membrane softens. The membrane is then vacuum-formed on the mold surface to produce a thin shell-like plastic structure having the special structure. This is the solution of the present invention.

[0006] The present invention provides a method for forming a film containing protruding structures, comprising the following steps: forming one or more protruding structures on a flat film; fixing the flat film containing the protruding structures on a sealing device; fixing a product model on a vacuum device; clamping one or more transfer devices on each of the protruding structures; heating the flat film using a heating device to soften the flat film; controlling the transfer device to move the protruding structure to a predetermined forming position calculated based on the position of the product model fixed on the vacuum device; the sealing device is tightly fitted to the vacuum device so that the flat film can correspond to the top of the product model; the vacuum device extracts the air between the flat film and the product model to generate negative pressure, allowing the flat film to completely adhere to the surface of the product model and be formed into a finished film containing protruding structures.

[0007] More specifically, the protruding structure is formed on the planar film by gluing or integrally forming the protruding structure when manufacturing the planar film.

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

[0009] More specifically, the transfer device displaces the protruding structure through three-dimensional vector control.

[0010] More specifically, the finished film is cooled and taken out and then trimmed to become the final product.

[0011] The present invention also covers a molding device for implementing the above method.

[0012] The molding device of the film-like object containing protruding structures of the present invention comprises at least a vacuum device, a sealing device, a transfer device, a heating device and a control host. The vacuum device has a positioning platform, a positioning component is provided on the positioning platform, and the positioning component is used to fix a product model. A sealing ring is also installed on the periphery of the positioning platform; the sealing device corresponds to the vacuum device, and a buckle can be tightly fitted on the inner edge of the sealing device to clamp a flat film containing one or more protruding structures between the buckle and the sealing device. A lifting device is fixed on the sealing device, and the lifting device is electrically connected to a control host. The control The host can drive the lifting device to drive the sealing device to rise and fall above the vacuum device, and when it descends, it can be close to the sealing ring, so that a sealed space is formed between the flat film and the positioning platform; the transfer device is located on one side of the sealing device, for clamping or displacing the protruding structure on the flat film, and the transfer device is connected to a driver for controlling the movement of the transfer device, and the driver is electrically connected to the control host; the heating device is located on one side of the sealing device, for heating the flat film clamped between the buckle and the sealing device, and a displacer is fixed on the heating device, and the heating device, the displacer and the control host are electrically connected.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the product model has a base, and the bottom of the base is combined with the positioning component to position the product model on the positioning platform.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the positioning component uses a concave-convex structure, a buckle or a tenon to combine the product model and the positioning platform.

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

[0016] In a preferred embodiment, the heating device uses infrared heating. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0018] FIG1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall structural configuration of a vacuum forming apparatus containing a protruding structure membrane according to the present invention.

[0019] FIG2 is a partial cross-sectional schematic diagram of a vacuum pumping device of a vacuum forming apparatus containing a protruding structure membrane according to the present invention.

[0020] FIG3 is a perspective exploded schematic diagram of a sealing device of a vacuum forming apparatus containing a protruding structure membrane according to the present invention.

[0021] FIG4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the heating implementation of the vacuum forming apparatus of the present invention containing a film-like object with protruding structures.

[0022] FIG5 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a vacuum forming apparatus for a membrane-like object containing protruding structures according to the present invention during vacuuming.

[0023] FIG6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a film forming process of a vacuum forming apparatus for forming a film-like object containing a protruding structure according to the present invention.

[0024] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a flat film produced by a vacuum forming apparatus for a membrane-like object containing protruding structures according to the present invention.

[0025] Description of Reference Numerals

[0026] 1: Vacuum device

[0027] 11: Positioning platform

[0028] 12: Positioning components

[0029] 13: Sealing ring

[0030] 2: Sealing device

[0031] 21: Buckle slot

[0032] 22: Buckle

[0033] 23: Lifting device

[0034] 3: Transfer device

[0035] 31: Drive

[0036] 4: Heating device

[0037] 41: Displacer

[0038] 5: Control host

[0039] 6: Product Model

[0040] 61: Base

[0041] 7: Flat film

[0042] 71: Protruding structure. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0043] The method of the present invention is illustrated by the following examples, but the present invention is not limited by the following examples.

[0044] As used herein, the term "integrally formed" refers to a structure or multiple structures that are combined into a single body during manufacturing, or corresponding structures on the same body due to different positions, shapes and functions.

[0045] The method for forming a membrane containing a protruding structure of the present invention is used for one-time vacuum forming of a membrane containing a protruding structure, and the steps of the method are as follows:

[0046] A. forming one or more protruding structures on a planar film, which can be formed by gluing or integrally forming the protruding structures when manufacturing the planar film;

[0047] B. fixing the planar film containing the protruding structure on a sealing device;

[0048] C. Fixing a product model on a vacuum device;

[0049] D. providing one or more transfer devices, each of which is clamped on each of the protruding structures;

[0050] E. Setting a heating device, moving the heating device to the bottom of the flat film, and heating the bottom of the flat film to soften the flat film, and then moving the heating device aside after heating is completed;

[0051] F. operating the transfer device to fold, pull, or move the protruding structure to a predetermined forming position calculated based on the position of the product model fixed on the vacuum device using three-dimensional vector control;

[0052] G. The transfer device and the sealing device are synchronously moved to above the vacuum device, and the sealing device is tightly fitted to the vacuum device, so that the flat film can correspond to the top of the product model;

[0053] H. The vacuum device extracts the air between the flat film and the product model to generate negative pressure, allowing the flat film to completely adhere to the surface of the product model and be formed into a finished film containing protruding structures;

[0054] I. After cooling, the finished film containing the protruding structures is taken out and trimmed into the final product.

[0055] In addition to the above method, the present invention also includes a vacuum forming device containing a protruding structure membrane. The technical content, characteristics and functions of the forming device will be clearly presented in the detailed description of the preferred embodiment below in conjunction with the drawings of the specification.

[0056] As used herein, the articles "a," "an," and "any" refer to one or more than one (ie, at least one) of an item. For example, "a component" means one component or more than one component.

[0057] As used herein, the terms "fixed," "fixed," "installed," "connected," or "set" used to describe a structural combination relationship generally refer to a situation in which multiple structures will not be easily separated or dropped after being combined. The connection may be fixed, detachable, integrally formed, mechanical, electrical, or direct physical, or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, for example, by using threads, latches, fasteners, nails, adhesives, or high-frequency connections.

[0058] As used herein, the term "on" when describing a location on a structure refers to any surface location on the structure and does not refer to the directional nature of "above" or "above" as commonly used. The terms "above" and "below" when describing a location on a structure refer to the directional nature of the location under conventional usage.

[0059] Please refer to Figure 1. This embodiment takes the production of braces as an example. As shown in the figure, it includes at least a vacuum device 1, a sealing device 2, a transfer device 3, a heating device 4 and a control host 5. The vacuum device 1 is used to fix a tooth-shaped product model 6, and the sealing device 2 is used to fix a flat film 7 containing a protruding structure 71.

[0060] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the vacuum device 1 has a positioning platform 11, and a positioning assembly 12 is installed on the positioning platform 11. The positioning assembly 12 is used to fix the tooth-shaped product model 6. The product model 6 has a standard base 61. The bottom of the base 61 is connected to the positioning assembly 12 for positioning the product model 6 on the positioning platform 11. A sealing ring 13 is also installed on the periphery of the positioning platform 11.

[0061] The positioning assembly 12 may be a combination of a concave-convex structure, a buckle or a tenon, etc. This combination is a common technical application, so the details are not repeated here.

[0062] The tooth-shaped product model 6 is a customized mold of human teeth and is formed on the standard base 61. This structural technology is a common tooth mold used in general dentistry to treat patients' teeth, so the details are not repeated here.

[0063] Referring to Figures 1 and 3, the sealing device 2 is annular and has a spiral groove 21 formed around it. The groove 21 allows a retaining ring 22 to be inserted, so that the retaining ring 22 is tightly fitted to the inner edge of the sealing device 2. A lifting device 23 is fixed to the sealing device 2 and is electrically connected to the control host 5.

[0064] The flat film 7 is placed on the sealing device 2. When the buckle 22 is inserted into the buckle groove 21, the flat film 7 can be sandwiched between the buckle 22 and the sealing device 2.

[0065] The control host 5 can drive the lifting device 23 to drive the sealing device 2 to rise and fall above the vacuum device 1. When descending, it can be close to the sealing ring 13, so that a sealed space is formed between the flat film 7 and the positioning platform 12, which is beneficial for the vacuum device 1 to perform vacuuming operations.

[0066] Referring to Figures 1 and 3 to 6, the transfer device 3 is located on one side of the sealing device 2 and is used to clamp the protruding structure 71 on the planar film 7 and to perform a synchronous lifting and lowering action in conjunction with the lifting device 23. If there are two protruding structures 71, at least two transfer devices 3 will be provided to respectively clamp these protruding structures 71. These transfer devices 3 are all connected to a driver 31. These drivers 31 respectively control the transfer devices 3 to perform two-dimensional or three-dimensional movement. The drivers 31 are all electrically connected to the control host 5. Through calculations and settings of the control host 5, it is convenient to control these drivers 31 to operate these transfer devices 3 to fold, pull, or move these protruding structures 71 to a predetermined forming position.

[0067] The transfer device 3 can perform two-dimensional or three-dimensional movement, and a transfer device can be used. The transfer device can be a linear arm (track type), a SCARA arm, or a joint multi-axis transfer device.

[0068] Referring to FIG. 7 , in this embodiment, the transfer devices 3 symmetrically bend the two protruding structures 71 downward and inward. When the planar film 7 is formed into the dental brace of the product model 6, the two protruding structures 71 are symmetrically located on both sides to serve as a structure for fixing and coupling the dental brace. Since the transfer devices 3 still clamp the protruding structures 71 during the formation of the planar film 7, the protruding structures 71 can be prevented from changing position. The position, angle, or direction of these displacements can be calculated in advance by simulating and deducing the entire product forming path using a computer based on the standard positioning position of the base 61 on the positioning platform 11.

[0069] Please refer to Figure 7. In this embodiment, the flat film 7 is used to make braces, and the protruding structures 71 grow on the rear sides of the braces to serve as snap-fit ​​structures (a hook and a buckle) for fixing. However, when used to manufacture different types of products, the protruding structures 71 can be convex structures of any shape or indefinite shape, and their uses will also be different. Since the protruding structures 71 can be pre-formed using other technologies, they can be made into structures with special contours, thereby breaking through the technical limitations of vacuum forming in the past and producing more difficult-to-form braces.

[0070] 1, 3 to 5, the heating device 4 is located on one side of the sealing device 2 and can use infrared heating. A displacement device 41 is fixed on the heating device 4. The heating device 4 and the displacement device 41 are electrically connected to the control host 5.

[0071] When the flat film 7 is clamped between the buckle 22 and the sealing device 2, the control host 5 drives the displacer 41 to drive the heating device 4 to the bottom of the sealing device 2, and turns on the heating device 4 to heat the flat film 7 to facilitate subsequent softening and molding operations. Since the protruding structure 71 is clamped by the transfer device 3, the transfer device 3 can help the protruding structure 71 dissipate heat so that the protruding structure 71 will not be softened and deformed by heat. After heating is completed, the control host 5 drives the displacer 41 again to drive the heating device 4 to move out from under the sealing device 2.

[0072] The above embodiments are merely selected preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. Any person skilled in the art who understands the aforementioned technical features and embodiments of the present invention and makes equivalent changes or modifications within the scope of protection of the present invention (although this embodiment uses braces as an example, it is not only applicable to the production of braces, but is also applicable to other products such as specially shaped model toy car shells, mobile phone shells, etc.) still falls within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for vacuum forming a membrane containing a protruding structure, characterized in that: It includes the following steps: forming one or more protruding structures on a planar film; Fixing the planar film containing the protruding structure on a sealing device; Fixing a product model on a vacuum device; Clamping one or more transfer devices on each of the protruding structures; heating the planar film using a heating device to soften the planar film; Controlling the transfer device to move the protruding structure to a predetermined molding position calculated based on the position of the product mold fixed on the vacuum device; The sealing device is tightly fitted to the vacuum device, and enables the flat film to correspond to the top of the product model; The vacuum device extracts the air between the flat film and the product model to generate negative pressure, so that the flat film can be completely attached to the surface of the product model and formed into a finished film containing protruding structures.

2. The method for vacuum forming a membrane containing a protruding structure according to claim 1, wherein: The protruding structure is formed on the flat film by gluing or integrally forming the protruding structure when manufacturing the flat film.

3. The method for vacuum forming a membrane containing a protruding structure according to claim 1, wherein: The heating device heats the bottom of the flat film.

4. The method for vacuum forming a membrane containing a protruding structure according to claim 1, wherein: The transfer device is used to displace the protruding structure through three-dimensional vector control.

5. The method for vacuum forming a membrane containing a protruding structure according to claim 1, wherein: After the finished film is cooled and taken out, it is trimmed to become the final product.

6. A vacuum forming device for a membrane containing a protruding structure, characterized in that: include: A vacuum device having a positioning platform, a positioning assembly on the positioning platform, the positioning assembly being used to fix a product model, and a sealing ring is also installed on the periphery of the positioning platform; A sealing device, corresponding to the vacuum device, has a retaining ring tightly fitted on the inner edge of the sealing device, and is used to sandwich a planar membrane containing one or more protruding structures between the retaining ring and the sealing device. A lifting device is fixed to the sealing device, and the lifting device is electrically connected to a control host. The control host is used to drive the lifting device to drive the sealing device to rise and fall above the vacuum device. When lowered, it can be tightly attached to the sealing ring, so that a sealed space is formed between the planar membrane and the positioning platform; a transfer device located on one side of the sealing device for clamping or displacing the protruding structure on the planar membrane, the transfer device being connected to a driver for controlling the movement of the transfer device, and the driver being electrically connected to the control host; and A heating device is located on one side of the sealing device and is used to heat the planar film sandwiched between the buckle and the sealing device. A displacer is fixed on the heating device, and the heating device, the displacer and the control host are electrically connected.

7. The vacuum forming apparatus for a membrane containing a protruding structure according to claim 6, wherein: The product model has a base, and the bottom of the base is combined with the positioning component for positioning the product model on the positioning platform.

8. The vacuum forming apparatus for a membrane containing a protruding structure according to claim 6, wherein: The positioning component uses a concave-convex structure, a buckle or a tenon to combine the product model and the positioning platform.

9. The vacuum forming apparatus for a membrane containing a protruding structure according to claim 6, wherein: The driver controls the transfer device to move in two dimensions or three dimensions.

10. The vacuum forming apparatus for a membrane containing a protruding structure according to claim 6, wherein: The heating device uses infrared heating.