Preform Immobilization on Take-Up Roller

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Solution Overview

Problem

During the manufacturing of turbomachine parts in composite materials, preforms often slip on the first call roll, leading to irregular mesh spacing and potential mechanical weaknesses in the final composite material part.

Innovation Solution

A process involving the immobilization of the preform on the first call roll using a flange, which applies pressure to maintain tension and prevent slipping, ensuring uniform mesh spacing and mechanical integrity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the preform is allowed to move freely on the first take-up roller during installation stops, then the installation can be easily stopped and restarted, but the preform slips causing irregular mesh spacing and potential mechanical weaknesses

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveEase of stopping and starting installationVSAvoidMesh spacing uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The flange is positioned in advance at a predetermined location on the first take-up roller. When the installation needs to stop, the flange is already in position to prevent preform slip, eliminating the need for reactive measures and ensuring mesh spacing uniformity is maintained even during stops

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The flange acts as an intermediary element between the preform and the first take-up roller. It mediates the interaction by providing a mechanical barrier that prevents the preform from slipping off the roller during installation stops, thereby maintaining manufacturing precision without compromising operational ease

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If a flange is added to immobilize the preform on the first take-up roller, then mesh spacing uniformity is maintained, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveMesh spacing uniformityVSAvoidNumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flange on the first take-up roller serves multiple functions: it acts as a structural component of the roller assembly, provides a stopping barrier for the preform during installation stops, and maintains mesh spacing uniformity. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby minimizing the increase in device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 immobilization process maintains consistent tension throughout the weaving process, preventing mesh relaxation or contraction, thereby ensuring the mechanical properties of the preform and the final composite material part are uniform and robust.

Implementation Method 1

a first take-up roller known by the English expression 'puller' is mounted just at the exit of the weaving zone and upstream of the storage roller

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

the flange moves towards the first take-up roller so that the preform is compressed between the first take-up roller and the flange

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 3

driving the preform in a direction of movement towards the storage roller which applies a predetermined tension to the preform

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTension: Tension

Data Source

PatentEP4281267B1Method for manufacturing a preform for a turbomachine component and installation for weaving such a preform
Publication Date: 2025.04.16 SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES SAS
  • EP4281267B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4281267B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4281267B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a preform (15) for a turbomachine component with a weaving installation comprising at least a first delivery roll (36) and a storage roll (34), the method comprising the following steps: - feeding the weaving installation with weft and warp filaments, - weaving the weft and warp filaments together to form the preform, - driving the preform in a direction of travel towards the storage roll, applying a predetermined tension on the preform, - winding the preform onto and storing it on the storage roll. According to the invention, the method comprises a step of immobilizing the preform on the first delivery roll positioned upstream of the storage roll in the direction of travel of the preform.