Automated Protective Sheet Peeling Apparatus for FRP Prepregs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing FRP forming systems face inefficiencies due to the lack of automation in peeling protective sheets from prepreg sheets, leading to increased manufacturing costs, quality variations, and prolonged working hours caused by manual operations.
Innovation Solution
An automated peeling apparatus is developed, utilizing a control unit to coordinate the prepreg sheet conveying, air spraying, and protective sheet gripping mechanisms to systematically peel and extract protective sheets from prepreg sheets, ensuring efficient and consistent peeling operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual protective sheet peeling operation is used, then operational simplicity is maintained, but manufacturing cost increases and quality variation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical peeling operations with an automated peeling apparatus that uses air spraying mechanisms to peel protective sheets from prepreg sheets. The air spraying unit sprays air at controlled pressures to separate the protective sheet from the prepreg sheet, eliminating manual labor while ensuring consistent quality through automated control of peeling parameters such as air pressure and spray timing.
2Device complexity
If manual protective sheet peeling operation is used, then equipment complexity is reduced, but productivity decreases due to independent peeling and conveying work
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into an integrated automated peeling apparatus. The apparatus merges the peeling function with the conveying function, where the air spraying unit peels the protective sheet while the gripping unit simultaneously grips and conveys the peeled protective sheet away from the prepreg sheet. This integration allows peeling and conveying to occur in a continuous automated process, eliminating the need for separate manual operations and significantly improving productivity.
3Productivity
If automated peeling apparatus is implemented, then productivity increases and quality consistency improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The automated peeling apparatus is divided into distinct functional units: an air spraying unit that sprays air to peel the protective sheet, a gripping unit that grips and conveys the peeled protective sheet, and a control unit that coordinates their operations. This segmentation allows each unit to perform its specific function efficiently while being controlled through a centralized control system, managing complexity through modular design and coordinated control.
4Ease of manufacture
If manual protective sheet peeling is performed, then initial investment cost is reduced, but manufacturing cost increases due to manual operation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The automated peeling apparatus operates autonomously under control of a control unit that coordinates the air spraying unit and gripping unit without requiring manual intervention. The system performs self-service by automatically detecting when the prepreg sheet arrives, activating the air spraying to peel the protective sheet, and then using the gripping unit to remove and convey the peeled protective sheet. This automation eliminates ongoing manual labor costs while the initial investment is offset by reduced manufacturing costs and improved efficiency.
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 automated peeling apparatus reduces manufacturing costs, minimizes quality issues like wrinkles and distortions, and enables a more efficient workflow by integrating peeling and conveying processes, thus enhancing the overall FRP forming system's automation.
Implementation Method 1
processing for causing the air spraying unit to spray the first air from the front along the prepreg sheet end face, processing for causing the air spraying unit to spray the second air onto peeling boundaries of the protective sheets
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
Provided is an automatable peeling apparatus for peeling a protective sheet from a prepreg sheet. This peeling apparatus 2 is equipped with a loading unit 11, a prepreg sheet conveying unit 12, a leading end position detection unit 13, air spraying units 14, 15, a peeling state detection unit 16, protective sheet gripping/conveying units 17, 18, an extraction unit 19, and a control unit 20. The control apparatus 20 controls the loading unit 11, the prepreg sheet conveying unit 12, the leading end position detection unit 13, the air spraying units 14, 15, the peeling state detection unit 16, the protective sheet gripping/conveying units 17, 18, and the extraction unit 19. The first spraying mechanism 14 sprays first air onto the front of the end face of the prepreg sheet. Thus, peeling of the protective sheet starts. The second spraying mechanism 15 sprays second air and fourth air onto the peeling boundary of the protective sheet and sprays third air onto the peeled protective sheet.