Film Application Frame for Wrinkle-Free Plastic Curing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for applying films to plastic work pieces in autoclaves are complex, costly, and prone to wrinkle formation, making them inefficient and time-consuming, especially for large components like those in the aviation industry.
Innovation Solution
A method using an elastically deformable film applied via an application frame, which is stretched over the frame edge and affixed, then moved to cover the work piece, ensuring a tight, uniform fit without manual sealing, utilizing an adhesive or vacuum to secure the film to the base member, allowing for reuse and minimizing plastic deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a plastically deformable film is applied using a thermoforming process, then the film fits tightly against the plastic work piece, but the process becomes complex and costly due to molding dies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs disposable films that are discarded after a single use, eliminating the need for expensive and complex molding dies. The films are applied in an uncured state and then cured in place, providing a simple yet effective solution that achieves tight film fit without the infrastructure of reusable thermoforming equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the film by applying it in an uncured state and then curing it in place. This parameter change allows the film to be easily applied and then permanently fixed, achieving tight fit quality without requiring complex molding processes.
2Ease of manufacture
If a film is cast or placed over the plastic work piece and sealed by clamping, then the process is simpler, but wrinkles form in the film that require individual manual sealing
Solution Approach 1:
The film applies itself to the work piece through the curing process, which causes the film to shrink and conform tightly to the contours of the uncured plastic. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for manual wrinkle sealing, as the curing process automatically removes wrinkles and secures the film in place.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the phase transition of the plastic from uncured to cured state to achieve film conforming. As the plastic cures and shrinks, it automatically pulls the film tight and eliminates wrinkles, replacing the need for manual sealing operations.
3Ease of manufacture
If a film is cast or placed over the plastic work piece, then the application process is simpler, but the film cannot fit tightly and uniformly against all sides of the work piece
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the plastic work piece from uncured to cured, which causes uniform shrinkage and tightening of the film across all surfaces. This parameter change ensures uniform film fit against all sides of the work piece, achieving both simplicity and precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a dynamic process where the film is applied in an uncured state and then dynamically conforms to the work piece as it cures. The curing process creates a dynamic shrinking action that uniformly tightens the film against all surfaces, achieving uniform fit without complex application procedures.
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
The method simplifies the film application process, ensuring a tight, wrinkle-free fit, reducing manual labor, and enabling reuse of the film, while maintaining the structural integrity of the work piece during autoclave curing.
Implementation Method 1
The film is designed such that it is elastically deformable and is deformed, preferably in an elastic manner, by the plastic work piece and is in contact therewith
Implementation Method 2
an adhesive joint is produced between the lip region of the film and the free region of the surface of the base member, with which the lip region is in contact
Data Source
AI summary
Method and system for applying film to a plastic work piece to be cured, including providing a plastic work piece disposed on a surface of a base member, a free region remaining around the plastic work piece, an application frame having a frame housing with a frame opening and a frame edge enclosing the frame opening, and a film suitable for covering a plastic work piece during the curing thereof. Film is applied on the frame edge where the film covers the frame opening, and a lip region of the film is fastened to the frame edge. The application frame can move relative to the plastic work piece, where the plastic work piece passes through the frame opening until the frame edge, the lip region fastened thereto, is placed on the free region, wherein the film is deformed by the plastic work piece and rests against the plastic work piece.