Composite Panel Sintering via Resin Powder Compression

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for producing composite panels from wood chippings face challenges such as increased production costs, reduced productivity, and poor water resistance and fire retardancy due to the use of waste materials and complex processing systems, leading to heavy, heterogeneous panels that are difficult to handle and require costly treatments.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that involves preparing resin powder and other particulate materials, mixing them, and subjecting the mixture to mechanical compression and heat between 200°C and 350°C under 400-800 MPa pressure for thermal-mechanical sintering, allowing for rapid and cost-effective production of high-quality panels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If waste materials are used to replace quality wood chippings, then production cost is reduced and material availability is improved, but panel heterogeneity increases and adhesive ratio must be increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesive ratioVSAvoidpanel heterogeneity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state of the adhesive from liquid to powder form, allowing it to be mixed with waste materials in a dry state before compression. This parameter change enables better distribution of adhesive particles throughout the heterogeneous waste material matrix, improving bonding without requiring excessive adhesive quantities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite material system where powder adhesive and waste materials are combined in a controlled mixture before compression. This composite approach allows the heterogeneous waste materials to be bound together effectively, transforming the heterogeneity from a defect into a manageable characteristic of the final panel structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Quantity of substance

If increasing amounts of waste materials are used, then production cost is reduced, but panel weight increases and handling becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewaste material contentVSAvoidpanel weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional liquid resin system with a powder adhesive system that is applied in a dry state and then activated through compression and heating. This substitution changes the fundamental mechanism of material binding, allowing waste materials to be incorporated more efficiently without proportionally increasing panel weight, as the powder adhesive requires less volume and mass to achieve effective bonding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Strength

If conventional liquid resin and hot pressing is used, then material bonding is achieved, but production time increases and productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial bondingVSAvoidproduction speed
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention utilizes phase transitions by starting with dry powder materials and transforming them through compression and heating into a bonded solid structure. The powder adhesive transitions from a loose particulate state to a bonded matrix that binds waste materials together, achieving strong material bonding while significantly reducing the time required compared to liquid resin systems that require extended curing periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #36Phase transitions

4Adaptability or versatility

If panels are made with porous honeycomb structure, then waste materials are incorporated, but water resistance and fire retardancy are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial incorporation flexibilityVSAvoidwater absorption and fire susceptibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state and application method of the adhesive from liquid to powder form, which fundamentally alters how the panel structure forms during compression. This parameter change enables the creation of a denser, less porous panel structure compared to traditional liquid resin systems, thereby improving water resistance and fire retardancy while still incorporating waste materials effectively.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach results in high-strength, cost-effective, and quickly produced panels with improved water resistance and fire retardancy, enabling efficient handling and use of a wide range of materials, including waste and recycled materials, while minimizing environmental impact.

Implementation Method 1

subjecting the mixture to a mechanical compression action at a pressure of between 400 MPa and 800 MPa and to a heating action at a temperature of between 200°C and 350°C in such a way as to determine a thermal-mechanical sintering between the first and the second material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSintering: Sintering

Data Source

PatentEP3024626B1Method and system for making a multi-purpose panel from composite material
Publication Date: 2017.11.29 BIRNBAUM RICHARD
  • EP3024626B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3024626B1 patent drawingFigure 4
  • EP3024626B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

Described is a method for making a multi-purpose panel from a composite material, comprising the steps of preparing a first particulate material (2) in the solid state comprising a resin powder, preparing a second particulate material (3) in the solid state, mixing the first (2) and the second material (3) to obtain a mixture (10), introducing the mixture (10) in the solid state in a moulding cavity (4), subjecting the mixture (10) to a mechanical compression action at a pressure of between 400 and 800 MPa and a heating action carried out at a temperature of between 250 and 350°C so as to determine a thermal-mechanical sintering between the first (2) and the second material (3) and cooling the mixture (10) to obtain a solid product (11) in which the first (2) and the second material (3) are aggregated monolithically together.