Fiber Reinforced Resin Sheet Production Method

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for producing fiber reinforced resin sheet materials using thermoplastic resins face issues such as resin adhesion to conveying belts or sheets, fiber misalignment, and uneven impregnation, leading to increased production costs and reduced productivity due to the high viscosity of thermoplastic resins and difficulties in peeling off the resin sheet material without damaging it.

Innovation Solution

A production method involving the superimposition of a fiber sheet material and a resin sheet material, where the fiber sheet material is conveyed with tension across its entire width, and the resin sheet material is integrated and solidified within the fiber sheet material using heating and pressing, with specific steps to ensure uniform thickness and impregnation, including fluid spreading and lateral vibration of the fiber bundles to prevent adhesion and maintain fiber alignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If thermoplastic resin is used as matrix resin, then toughness and recyclability are improved, but viscosity increases making impregnation difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovetoughnessVSAvoidimpregnation difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The resin sheet material is pre-heated to a temperature above its melting point before impregnation, reducing its viscosity in advance to facilitate easier penetration into the fiber sheet material during the subsequent impregnation process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The temperature of the thermoplastic resin is changed from ambient temperature to above its melting point, transforming its physical state and dramatically reducing viscosity to enable effective impregnation into the fiber bundle

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If resin sheet material is heated and pressed for impregnation, then impregnation is achieved, but resin adheres to conveying belt

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimpregnation uniformityVSAvoidresin adhesion
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A release agent is introduced as an intermediary substance between the heated resin sheet material and the conveying belt, preventing direct adhesion while allowing the resin to be conveyed and impregnated effectively

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

A disposable release paper or film is placed between the resin and conveying belt for each production cycle, serving as a sacrificial barrier that prevents resin adhesion to the expensive conveying belt while being discarded after single use

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Ease of operation

If fiber sheet material is conveyed without tension, then handling is easier, but fiber alignment deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandling easeVSAvoidfiber alignment
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The conveying system dynamically adjusts tension application, applying tension during critical stages such as superimposition and impregnation to maintain fiber alignment, while reducing or releasing tension during handling and transport stages

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 method enables continuous and stable production of fiber reinforced resin sheet materials with improved impregnation uniformity and reduced adhesion issues, enhancing productivity and cost-effectiveness by preventing resin adhesion to conveying materials and maintaining fiber alignment.

Implementation Method 1

a first heating roll 1A and a second heating roll 1B... heating and pressing while conveying the superimposed fiber sheet material Ts and resin sheet material Js... melting the resin sheet material Js

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

a first cooling roll 2A and a second cooling roll 2B... cooling while conveying the composite sheet material... solidifying step of solidifying a resin by cooling

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCooling: Cooling

Data Source

PatentEP3333214B1Production method for fiber reinforced resin sheet material
Publication Date: 2020.07.22 FUKUI PREFECTURE
  • EP3333214B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3333214B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3333214B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a production method for a fiber reinforced resin sheet material, the method being capable of continuously and stably obtaining the fiber reinforced resin sheet material by using a fiber sheet material and a resin sheet material and melting the resin sheet material and impregnating or semi-impregnating the same into the fiber sheet material. The method includes the steps of: superimposing a fiber sheet material Ts and a resin sheet material Js, sandwiching these materials between conveying belts 7 and conveying the same; heating and pressing these materials between the heating rolls 1; and after the above steps, cooling and pressing the resulting material between cooling rolls 2 and thereby melting and impregnating or semi-impregnating the resin sheet material Js into the fiber sheet material Ts and thereby obtaining a fiber reinforced resin sheet material Ps, in which side end portions 8, 9 of the fiber sheet material Ts are arranged outside side end portions 10, 11 of the resin sheet material Js, respectively, and the fiber sheet material Ts and the resin sheet material Js are superimposed.