Modular Pressing Fixture for Adhesive Bonding of Fibre Components
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for connecting fibre-reinforced components require precise positioning and prolonged handling to ensure a reliable, firmly bonded connection, which limits efficiency and requires multiple handling units, making it difficult to connect multiple components within a short time period.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a main-device and module-devices, where the module-device has a pressing section for receiving the first component's connection section with an adhesive layer, and a main-device with a grabbing unit for releasable connection to a handling unit, allowing for sequential attachment and curing of multiple components to a second component.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a handling device is used to position and press the first component to the second component with adhesive layer, then a reliable firmly bonded connection is achieved, but the handling device must remain in position for several hours until the adhesive is fully cured, making it unavailable for further components
Solution Approach 1:
The handling device is divided into two independent functional modules: a positioning device that positions the first component, and a pressing device that applies pressure during curing. These modules can operate independently, allowing the positioning device to be released after positioning while the pressing device remains to maintain pressure during the curing process. This segmentation enables the positioning device to be reused for subsequent components immediately, while the pressing device continues its function, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and productivity.
2Productivity
If multiple handling units are used to connect multiple first components to the second component simultaneously, then productivity is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing device is designed as a multi-functional module that can serve multiple first components sequentially. After curing one component, the pressing device can be released and reused for the next component while maintaining the bonded connection. This universal pressing device replaces the need for multiple complete handling units, achieving high productivity with a single multi-functional device rather than multiple dedicated units, thus reducing device complexity and cost.
3Reliability
If the first component is pressed with high pressure (0.4-0.6 bar) to ensure full contact with the adhesive layer, then bonding reliability is improved, but the handling device must maintain this pressure for several hours until curing is complete
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing function is extracted as a separate independent module from the positioning function. The pressing device applies the necessary pressure (0.4-0.6 bar) to ensure full contact between the first component and adhesive layer, then can be released and removed after curing begins. This extraction allows the positioning device to be freed for immediate reuse on subsequent components, while the bonding reliability is maintained by the dedicated pressing device that remains in place during curing.
Data Source
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AI summary
System (2) for handling a first component (4), comprising: a main-device (8) and a module-device (10), wherein the module-device (10) comprises a pressing section (22) being arranged to form an outer surface of the module-device (10), wherein the module-device (10) is adapted for releasably receiving the first component (4), such that a connection section (12) of the first component (4) is releasably, in particular planar, attachable to the pressing section (22) of the module-device (10), wherein the module-device (10) is configured to be releasably connected to a second component (6), wherein the main-device (8) comprises a grabbing unit (26), which is adapted for releasably connecting the module-device (10), such that the pressing section (22) is arranged to form a first outer surface section of the main-device (8), and wherein the main-device (8) comprises a connector (36), in particular a connector plate, adapted for being connected to a handling-unit, in particular a robot, for arranging the main-device (8) at the second component (6), such that the connection section (12) of the first component (4), if attached to the pressing section (22) of the module-device (10), is at least indirectly attachable to a front surface (38) of the second component (6). The present disclosure further relates to a method for ahdesively connecting a first component (4) to a second component (6) by means of the system (2).