DE102018203360B4 - Temperature control device for and an organic strip material plant for the production of flat fiber composite semi-finished products, as well as a corresponding production process - Google Patents

Abstract

Temperature control device (100) for flat fiber composite semi-finished products (40), having at least the following components: - a lower tool plate (1); - an upper tool plate (2), with a tool gap between the lower tool plate (1) and the upper tool plate (2) (3) is formed with a lower contact surface (11) and an upper contact surface (12) for treating continuously fed prepreg strip material (44); - a material inlet (4) for guiding continuously fed prepreg strip material (44) into the Tool gap (3); - a material outlet (5) for continuously pulling out prepreg strip material (44) fed into the tool gap (3), the tool gap (3) being temperature-controllable to a predetermined process temperature, characterized in that the lower contact surface (11 ) and the upper contact surface (12) of the tool gap (3) can be guided towards one another in such a way that one arranged in the tool gap (3) and / or through the tool gap (3) guidable prepreg strip material (44) can be loaded with a predetermined compacting pressure, the upper tool plate (2) being mounted in a tension spring-loaded manner in the transverse direction (31) to the tool gap (3) with a tensile force towards the lower tool plate (1).

Description

The invention relates to a temperature control device for flat fiber composite semifinished products according to the preamble of claim 1, an organic tape material plant for the production of flat fiber composite semifinished products, and a corresponding manufacturing method according to the preamble of claim 8.

Technical area

• - eine untere Werkzeugplatte;
• - eine obere Werkzeugplatte,

wobei zwischen der unteren Werkzeugplatte und der oberen Werkzeugplatte ein Werkzeugspalt mit einer unteren Kontaktfläche und einer oberen Kontaktfläche zum Behandeln von kontinuierlich zugeführtem Prepreg-Bandmaterial gebildet ist;

• - einen Materialeinlauf zum Führen von kontinuierlich zugeführtem Prepreg-Bandmaterial in den Werkzeugspalt;
• - einen Materialauslauf zum kontinuierlichen Ausziehen von in den Werkzeugspalt zugeführtem Prepreg-Bandmaterial,

wobei der Werkzeugspalt auf eine vorbestimmte Prozesstemperatur temperierbar ist.The invention relates to a temperature control device for flat fiber composite semifinished products, which has at least the following components:

• - a lower die plate;
• - an upper tool plate,

wherein a tool gap with a lower contact surface and an upper contact surface for treating continuously fed prepreg strip material is formed between the lower tool plate and the upper tool plate;

• a material inlet for guiding continuously fed prepreg strip material into the tool gap;
• - a material outlet for the continuous pulling out of prepreg strip material fed into the tool gap,

wherein the tool gap can be tempered to a predetermined process temperature.

• - kontinuierliches Zuführen von thermoplastischem reaktivem Prepreg-Bandmaterial zu dem Materialeinlauf; und
• - vom Materialeinlauf bis zum Materialauslauf Konsolidieren des zugeführten Prepreg-Bandmaterials.

The invention further relates to a manufacturing method for continuously producing compacted prepreg strip material by means of at least one temperature control device according to the preceding description, the manufacturing method comprising at least the following steps:

• - continuous feeding of thermoplastic reactive prepreg tape material to the material inlet; and
• - Consolidation of the supplied prepreg strip material from the material inlet to the material outlet.

State of the art

Such a temperature control device is, for example, from US 2005/0 214 465 A1 known. Therein, according to the abstract, a method for producing a composite material (33) consisting of [fiber] reinforcing elements (29) and a thermoplastic polyamide is disclosed, which allows production at high speed with continuous process control using simple equipment. The impregnated [fiber] reinforced element (30) is heated and polymerized in a heating unit without being passed through a heated mold and essentially without contact. According to paragraph [0040] the impregnated [fiber] reinforced material 30th sent through a stripping unit 23 to scrape off excess matrix material 24 before the matrix has properly started to polymerize and [after it has started] the viscosity would be too high for stripping at a fast manufacturing rate. According to paragraph [0038], this method has the advantage that this rapid and pressure-free impregnation with a monomer melt and this free polymerization without the use of force result in undamaged composite material with intact fibers.

Furthermore, such a production method is, for example, from WO 2014/086 482 A1 known. This discloses a method for producing a two-layer or multi-layer web-shaped semi-finished material with at least one unidirectional fiber-reinforced layer and a system for carrying out the method. According to page 6, lines 4 to 9, a pressing device is used to consolidate the fabric, which is designed in particular as a double belt press, which has two closed pressing surfaces that are rotatable in opposite directions and facing one another, the fabric being pulled through between the pressing surfaces by rotating the pressing surfaces and is pressed in the process. From the description on page 8, lines 7 to 12, it becomes clear that the aim is for the pieces of material to be in a resting state relative to the carrier web. According to the disclosure, this has the advantage that positioning errors or positioning inaccuracies when placing the pieces of material as a result of [editorially added: not] existing relative movement between pieces of material and carrier web can be effectively avoided.

the DE 10 2013 226 739 A1 shows a molding tool for deforming a semi-finished product containing reinforcing fibers which is fed to the molding tool in a continuous process and comprises a first molding tool element and a second molding tool element opposite the first molding tool element. The mold elements are moved together with the first section of the semifinished product in the conveying direction of the semifinished product as long as the mold elements apply pressure to the first section of the semifinished product and the mold elements are controlled into an open position and moved relative to the first section of the semifinished product against the conveying direction of the semifinished product until the mold elements are arranged in a position in which they can again be controlled into a closed position.

The impregnation tool of the DE 10 2013 226 730 A1 is set up to impregnate a reinforcing fiber material of varying thickness with a plastic material in a continuous process. The reinforcing fiber material is a dry reinforcing fiber fabric, the reinforcing fibers of which are not impregnated with a plastic material.

the DE 10 2011 090 143 A1 shows a device for the production of a fiber composite material in the form of a polymer-impregnated wide fiber band 2. For this purpose, the device has a heating and pressure application device which is carried by a machine frame, and the individual fiber bands are brought together in the heating and pressure application device.

the DE 10 2008 011 411 A1 shows a deformation device or a molding tool or a pultrusion device for deforming a flat, ie rollable or band-shaped semifinished product into a profiled fiber composite material (FVW) semifinished product. Here, it is proposed that during the continuous movement of the semi-finished product, the tool halves are opened at time intervals and brought back to their deformation distance, the tool halves being movable to one another by exerting pressure by means of an adjustment device and a drive device coupled to this, so that the tool halves as Press tool can work.

the DE 10 2016 119 766 A1 shows a method for producing a thermoplastic window or door hollow chamber profile. According to paragraph 22 there, during the strand production process 3 according to there 1 Continuous reinforcing glass fibers 5 are integrated into the thermoplastic matrix 4 of the hollow chamber profile 1 and are initially preheated in a preheating station 7. Here, by means of a drawing tool 8, the freshly produced hollow chamber profile 1 is pulled out of the heated pultrusion tool 9 via the endless reinforcing fibers 5 in the production direction x. The reactive pultrusion 3 is used to produce an endlessly fiber-reinforced thermoplastic core profile 10 of the hollow chamber profile 1 that has a plurality of hollow chambers 2.

the DE 23 52 554 A Figure 12 shows a reservoir from which reinforcement material is drawn through a resin impregnation bath to soak the material. The material then passes through a high frequency heater before going through a heated compression molding press. A haul-off machine pulls the material through the device.

Object of the invention

Compared to the previously known temperature control devices, the invention is based on the object of finding a fast and cost-effective manufacturing method in which the continuously produced fiber-reinforced thermoplastic material is already compacted. This object is achieved by the features specified in claim 1.

The object is also achieved by an organic tape material system according to patent claim 7.

In contrast to the previously known production methods, the invention is based on the object of finding a production method in which continuously produced fiber-reinforced thermoplastic material can be provided quickly and inexpensively. This object is achieved by the features specified in claim 8.

Solution of the task

According to claim 1, the tool gap, in which the material is tempered, has a lower contact surface and an upper contact surface, which can be guided towards one another in such a way that a prepreg strip material arranged in the tool gap and / or guided through the tool gap can be loaded with a predetermined compacting pressure is, wherein the upper tool plate is spring-loaded in the transverse direction to the tool gap with a tensile force towards the lower tool plate, so that the material is already consolidated as a continuous strip material with the help of the temperature control of the tool gap to a predetermined process temperature, i.e. transferred and compressed or respectively in a polymerized state is compacted.

According to claim 8, a tool gap that is rigid in the direction of travel of the material is used to compress the material, a tool gap with a lower contact surface and an upper contact surface for treating continuously fed prepreg strip material being formed between a lower tool plate and an upper tool plate, and the upper tool plate is spring-loaded in the transverse direction to the tool gap with a tensile force towards the lower tool plate, so that the effort and costs are reduced compared to a treadmill system and also the start-up times are shortened and the efficiency is increased because the heat loss is local due to the tool gap that is rigid in the material running direction Bound heating is low compared to a continuous dissipation of heat via a continuous belt. So far it has been assumed that a relative movement between the compressing tool and prepreg tape would cause fibers to move and wrinkles to form. On this side, however, it was found that this is not the case when prepreg strip material is fed in with sufficiently precise fiber orientation and the result is entirely satisfactory.

Advantageous further developments of the invention are characterized in the subclaims.

Description of the invention

1. (a) Tränken von textilen Strukturen mit einer Mischung enthaltend Lactam, Katalysator und gegebenenfalls Aktivator,
2. (b) Abkühlen der getränkten textilen Strukturen,
3. (c) Konfektionieren der abgekühlten textilen Strukturen zum faserverstärkten, flachen Halbzeug.

First of all, it should be pointed out that a continuous process for the production of fiber-reinforced flat semi-finished products with a polyamide matrix is already available from the WO 2012/116 947 A1 is known and the content of this disclosure belongs to the subject matter of this application without limiting effect, as far as the illustration of an exemplary production of the prepreg tape material is concerned. The abstract describes that the manufacturing process includes the following steps:

1. (a) Impregnation of textile structures with a mixture containing lactam, catalyst and optionally activator,
2. (b) cooling the impregnated textile structures,
3. (c) Converting the cooled textile structures into fiber-reinforced, flat semi-finished products.

• - eine untere Werkzeugplatte;
• - eine obere Werkzeugplatte,

wobei zwischen der unteren Werkzeugplatte und der oberen Werkzeugplatte ein Werkzeugspalt mit einer unteren Kontaktfläche und einer oberen Kontaktfläche zum Behandeln von kontinuierlich zugeführtem Prepreg-Bandmaterial gebildet ist;

• - einen Materialeinlauf zum Führen von kontinuierlich zugeführtem Prepreg-Bandmaterial in den Werkzeugspalt;
• - einen Materialauslauf zum kontinuierlichen Ausziehen von in den Werkzeugspalt zugeführtem Prepreg-Bandmaterial,

wobei der Werkzeugspalt auf eine vorbestimmte Prozesstemperatur temperierbar ist.According to a first embodiment of the invention, a temperature control device for flat fiber composite semifinished products is proposed, having at least the following components:

• - a lower die plate;
• - an upper tool plate,

wherein a tool gap with a lower contact surface and an upper contact surface for treating continuously fed prepreg strip material is formed between the lower tool plate and the upper tool plate;

• a material inlet for guiding continuously fed prepreg strip material into the tool gap;
• - a material outlet for the continuous pulling out of prepreg strip material fed into the tool gap,

wherein the tool gap can be tempered to a predetermined process temperature.

The temperature control device is primarily characterized in that the lower contact surface and the upper contact surface of the tool gap can be guided towards one another in such a way that a prepreg strip material which is arranged in the tool gap and / or can be guided through the tool gap can be loaded with a predetermined compacting pressure.

The thermoplastic continuous fiber reinforced semi-finished products available on the market today can be divided into thermoplastic unidirectional continuous fiber reinforced materials with thin walls (so-called tapes) and multi-directional continuous fiber reinforced thick materials (so-called organic sheets). The manufacturing methods of these two materials differ only slightly. First the dry and non-impregnated fiber material is prepared and then pressed with the plastic material. The plastic material is introduced via direct melt impregnation, foil impregnation or powder impregnation or a pultrusion nozzle. However, a polymerized plastic (e.g. polyamide or polypropylene) is always used as the starting material. The semi-finished products produced in this way are, however, very expensive, which is currently inhibiting their use in large-scale production. Furthermore, the technically achievable fiber volume content of these semi-finished products and thus the mechanical properties such as rigidity and strength are limited.

In an upstream, first step, a thermoplastic fiber-reinforced semi-finished product, a so-called prepreg, is produced (cf. WO 2012/116 947 A1 ). However, unlike in WO 2012/116 947 A1 , not cut to size and further processed in a downstream process, but immediately and continuously guided as an endless belt through a temperature-controlled tool, which is referred to here as a temperature control device or, for better delimitation, is also referred to as a compacting system. This can be integrated, for example, into the manufacturing process of an existing system concept, for example as in the WO 2012/116 947 A1 described, include.

The thermoplastic (reactive) prepreg strip material is heated here in the temperature control device and at the same time compacted to the required semi-finished product thickness. For this purpose, a lower tool plate and an upper tool plate are provided, which are arranged rigidly and through which the prepreg strip material is pulled for treatment. At least one of the tool plates can be heated in such a way that the tool gap formed between the tool plates, and thus the prepreg strip material drawn through, can be tempered. In addition, a (compacting) pressure can be exerted on material in the tool gap, for example on the prepreg strip material drawn through, which is preferably over the width of the prepreg Band material is even transversely to the material running direction in the gap plane. The compaction pressure that can be exerted is sufficient to compact or compress the prepreg strip material to a required semi-finished product thickness. The lower contact surface and the upper contact surface of the tool gap can therefore be guided towards one another with a compacting force, for example force-controlled, so that a prepreg strip material arranged in the tool gap and / or guided through the tool gap can be loaded with the predetermined compacting pressure. In other words, or by using a path-controlled regulation instead of a force-controlled regulation, the lower contact surface and the upper contact surface of the tool gap can be brought together to a predetermined minimum gap width, so that a prepreg arranged in the tool gap and / or guided through the tool gap -Band material can be loaded with the predetermined compacting pressure.

At the entrance to the tool gap, a material inlet is provided for guiding continuously fed prepreg strip material into the tool gap. This is set up, for example, to accommodate an angled run-up of the prepreg strip material and to feed it parallel to the tool gap.

Opposite the entrance to the tool gap, a material outlet is provided for continuously pulling out of the tool gap from the tool gap the and now consolidated, ie tempered and compacted or compressed, prepreg strip material. This is set up, for example, to allow the consolidated prepreg strip material to run out at an angle, while the prepreg strip material is guided in parallel in the tool gap.

Depending on the type of raw material used, different thermoplastic intermediate products are created at the end of the process chain. If textile semi-finished products are used, organic sheets are created; if spread rovings are used, thermoplastic tapes are created. These can then be further processed, for example in tape laying processes. The manufactured material can either be wound as continuous goods on rolls or cut to size and stacked as sheet goods. The product can be stored almost indefinitely and can be transported under simple conditions.

The lower tool plate and / or the upper tool plate can be constructed in several parts or in one piece. In addition, an embodiment is advantageous in which, in a series-connected arrangement of pairs of tool plates or temperature control devices, the complete consolidation of the prepreg strip material to be treated is only achieved at the single or at the last material outlet. Such an embodiment allows further intermediate treatment steps.

A tool plate preferably comprises several, for example electrical or fluidic, heating circuits which form temperature control zones. The temperature control zones can be controlled separately and preferably regulated with separate temperature detection. In one embodiment, the at least one heating circuit is arranged on the outside, for example on the rear, of at least one of the tool plates. The at least one heating circuit is preferably integrated into at least one of the tool plates, as a result of which good heat transfer and high efficiency can be achieved.

The reaction shrinkage can be compensated for by means of the rigid, adjustable and preferably controllable spacing of the contact surfaces of the tool gap in the material running direction, i.e. in the X direction with the Y direction as the width direction, which can improve the surface quality. In addition, excessive moisture absorption by the prepreg strip material can be prevented by means of a (rigid) housing for the temperature control device and thus impairment of the polymerization. Furthermore, a fiber volume fraction can be set by means of a corresponding degree of compaction. For this purpose, for example, a reservoir for excess matrix material is provided in the temperature control device. This process is facilitated by an inclined position of the tool plates relative to one another. A low pore content or good impregnation of the fiber material in the prepreg can thus be achieved. A constant pull-off force can also be set.

In contrast to a double belt press, the tool has no parts moving in the direction of material travel. It can be operated constantly at the same temperature without great effort. The investment costs are significantly lower compared to a double belt press. Set-up times, maintenance and wear and tear as well as the start-up phase (setting the production parameters) are less complex than with double belt presses.

In the case of the temperature control device, the upper tool plate is mounted in a tension spring-loaded manner in the transverse direction to the tool gap with a tensile force towards the lower tool plate.

In this embodiment, a, preferably floating, spring-loaded mounting of the upper tool plate is on the lower tool plate, preferably in the Z direction, that is, along the Gravity, provided. For example, the preload of the springs and thus the contact pressure that acts on the semi-finished product during production can be specifically adjusted by means of screws. At the same time, the springs ensure that too high cavity pressure is avoided. This is advantageous for a constant material feed and a constant tensile force. The floating, sprung mounting of the upper half of the tool only works in the Z direction. A relative movement of the upper tool plate to the lower tool plate, for example by means of column guides, is prevented along the X direction and the Y direction, that is to say the material plane. According to an advantageous embodiment, the tension spring force can be adjusted in a controlled manner, preferably with control modules, so that increased precision of the material thickness and / or different material thicknesses can be provided without interrupting the continuous process.

In an advantageous embodiment of the temperature control device, the material inlet tapers in the material flow direction, preferably in several stages or in a curve, the material inlet tapering more strongly in an inlet-side section than in a gap-side section, and / or preferably solely on the upper tool plate or alone on the lower tool plate the tool gap is widened.

A tool gap that tapers at the material inlet ensures that the material is gently compacted or compacted. According to a preferred embodiment, the tool allows the resulting cavity, through which the material is continuously guided, to be of variable design. A multi-part material inlet or one formed with a (smooth) curve is preferably formed, in which the inlet cross-section initially tapers strongly and then slightly in the direction of material flow. The material outlet preferably has a cavity gap that increases in the direction of material flow.

Preferably only one of the two tool plates, particularly preferably the upper tool plate, has a recess in the Z direction that is necessary for forming the cavity in the case of a straight, flat design on the other tool plate, so that the maintenance work or control on the material inlet or outlet is vertical Lifting the tool plate in question is limited. In this way, the cavity preferably only expands on one side when the prepreg strip material is fed through in a pressure-controlled manner.

In an advantageous embodiment of the temperature control device, the tool gap has an inlet for a coating material on the top and / or underside, with a material gap that can be filled with the coating material being formed before the inlet or immediately after the inlet between the fed prepreg strip material and the tool gap, with preferably the inlet temperature can be controlled by means of the respective tool plate.

According to this embodiment, the prepreg strip material can be provided with an additional surface layer, for example a so-called coating, in one work step in the same tool, that is to say the temperature control device. The additional layer is preferably applied in the tool after the thermoplastic matrix, for example comprising lactam, has polymerized. In one embodiment, the reaction shrinkage of the plastic during polymerisation can be used for the necessary layer volume, i.e. the tool gap is designed with a constant gap height, or the tool plates are inclined to one another or, preferably on the inlet side, i.e. in the upper tool plate with an inlet on the top introduced a cavity step. The resulting free space enables the liquid coating material to be applied to the semi-finished product. This coating material is, for example, a reactive thermoplastic monomer material, for example a lactam, or a melted thermoplastic polymer material.

The coating material can be introduced from above and / or below. The temperature control of the injection channel is preferably ensured by means of the temperature control zones in the relevant mold plate through which the inlet is passed.

In an advantageous embodiment of the temperature control device, the upper tool plate and / or the lower tool plate is formed in one piece in the direction of material flow, and the coating material is a polymer material which can be consolidated until the compacted prepreg strip material is pulled out of the material outlet, the coating material preferably being in the tool gap can be tempered.

The coating material is preferably consolidated within the temperature control device and thereby forms a plastic layer on the fed and now consolidated prepreg strip material. Alternatively, or additionally in the case of a multiple coating, the method can also be carried out with two temperature control devices arranged directly one behind the other, and an inlet, for example as a separate unit, is preferably arranged in the direction of material flow between two temperature control devices or between two pairs of tool plates.

In an advantageous embodiment of the temperature control device, the inlet comprises an injection unit in order to feed the coating material to the prepreg strip material under excess pressure.

The coating material can be fed in without pressure or with pressure, possibly involved in the compacting or compression.

In an advantageous embodiment of the temperature control device, the tool gap has a low-friction contact surface on the top and / or bottom, which is preferably nitrided or chrome-plated.

As a result, there is little wear on the tool, a friction-related stretching process of the fibers in the fed prepreg strip material is reduced and a good surface quality can be achieved.

• - eine Prepreg-Vorrichtung zum kontinuierlichen Erzeugen von Prepreg-Bandmaterial, welches Fasern und eine reaktive Thermoplastmatrix umfasst;
• - zumindest eine in Materiallaufrichtung hinter der Prepreg-Vorrichtung angeordnete Temperiervorrichtung nach einer Ausführungsform gemäß der obigen Beschreibung;
• - eine Auszugeinheit zum kontinuierlichen Ausziehen des kompaktierten Prepreg-Bandmaterials.

According to a further aspect of the invention, an organic strip material plant for the production of flat fiber composite semifinished products, preferably organic sheets or tapes, is proposed, which has at least the following components:

• a prepreg device for the continuous production of prepreg strip material, which comprises fibers and a reactive thermoplastic matrix;
• - At least one temperature control device arranged in the material running direction behind the prepreg device according to an embodiment according to the above description;
• - A pull-out unit for continuously pulling out the compacted prepreg strip material.

For the description of the prepreg device, reference is made to the exemplary embodiment according to FIG WO 2012/116 947 A1 referenced. The tempering step and the consolidation are in the manufacturing process between step (a), i.e. impregnation, and step (b), i.e. cooling, or between step (b) and step (c), i.e. packaging or alternatively a winding of the consolidated prepreg strip material is switched and the at least one temperature control device is arranged accordingly.

In order to ensure a uniform feed speed of the material, there is a pull-out unit at the end of the process chain, outside the air-conditioned prepreg system, consisting of the prepreg device and the temperature control device. In a simple embodiment, this pull-out unit consists of a hand winch and a frame. In one embodiment for series production, driven rollers and / or conveyor belts are preferably provided. On the one hand, this enables a higher material throughput and, on the other hand, the simple trimming of the material to a desired format. The pull-out speed is preferably based on the desired properties of the prepreg strip material, for example the material thickness, surface properties, requirements for the fiber arrangement and more, preferably in conjunction with the compacting pressure set on the temperature control device, for example regulated, on the compacting pressure that is arranged in the tool gap and / or through Prepreg tape material guided by the tool gap, adjustable.

• - kontinuierliches Zuführen von thermoplastischem reaktivem Prepreg-Bandmaterial zu dem Materialeinlauf; und
• - vom Materialeinlauf bis zum Materialauslauf Konsolidieren des zugeführten Prepreg-Bandmaterials.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a production method for the continuous production of compacted prepreg strip material by means of at least one temperature control device according to an embodiment according to the above description is proposed, which comprises at least the following steps:

• - continuous feeding of thermoplastic reactive prepreg tape material to the material inlet; and
• - Consolidation of the supplied prepreg strip material from the material inlet to the material outlet.

• - Ausziehen des konsolidierten Prepreg-Bandmaterials in Materiallaufrichtung hinter dem Materialauslauf mittels einer Auszugeinheit, bevorzugt einer Bandrolle.

The manufacturing process is primarily characterized in that the contact surfaces of the tool gap are rigid in the direction of material travel and the following step is also provided:

• - Pulling out the consolidated prepreg strip material in the material running direction behind the material outlet by means of a pull-out unit, preferably a roll of tape.

Consolidation, i.e. compacting or compression and tempering, takes place here already in the prefabrication step for the provision of the semi-finished product and not only when it is placed in a mold. However, no double belt rolls are necessary for this.

The prepreg tape material is in an upstream manufacturing process, for example as in WO 2012/116 947 A1 described, provided. This prepreg strip material is fed to the at least one temperature control device.

The contact surface of the tool gap is rigid in the material running direction and is tension-spring-tensioned in the Z-direction or can be adjusted to a preferably changeable (compacting) pressure, i.e. to a predetermined gap height and / or gap shape, for example with an inclined position of the tool plates relative to one another , whereby a relative movement between the prepreg Tape material and the contact surfaces of the tool gap is present according to the pull-out speed.

The pull-out unit is, for example, a conveyor belt which, for example, feeds the prepreg tape material to a cutting unit, or a tape roll on which, for example, the prepreg tape material can be stored and transported.

In an advantageous embodiment of the production method using an organic tape material plant according to the above description, the compacting follows the provision of the reactive prepreg tape material directly and continuously, the speed of pulling the compacted prepreg tape material from the material outlet preferably at the speed of the provision of thermoplastic reactive prepreg Tape material by means of the prepreg device is identical.

Preferably, only a single pull-out unit is used in this process, it being possible to provide guide elements and other intermediate transport units that are regulated in interaction with the pull-out unit. If no or only a negligible stretching process takes place, the pull-out speed of the prepreg device located upstream and the material outlet of the temperature control device within the organic strip material system is (almost) identical. A buffer section, for example by means of a tension roller unit, comprising one or more tension rollers for deflecting the prepreg strip material, is preferably provided between the two devices and / or within a device for short downtimes that may occur on one of the two devices.

Figure list

• 1 in einer schematischen Darstellung eine Organobandmaterialanlage,
• 2 eine Temperiervorrichtung im Schnitt,
• 3 in einer geschnittenen perspektivischen Ausschnittsansicht eine Temperiervorrichtung,
• 4 in einer schematischen Schnittdarstellung eine Temperiervorrichtung mit Zulauf für ein Beschichtungsmaterial, und
• 5 in einer schematischen Schnittansicht wie in 4 gekennzeichnet eine Temperiervorrichtung.

Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing. Show it

• 1 a schematic representation of an organic tape material plant,
• 2 a temperature control device in section,
• 3 in a cut perspective detail view a temperature control device,
• 4th a schematic sectional view of a temperature control device with an inlet for a coating material, and
• 5 in a schematic sectional view as in 4th characterized a temperature control device.

Best way to carry out the invention

1 shows an organic tape material plant 200 , in which a prepreg device on the left in the illustration 300 , in the middle of the illustration a temperature control device 100 and on the right in the illustration of a pull-out unit 50 , which is shown here as a roll of tape, are provided. In the prepreg device 300 become fibers in a known manner 41 with a thermoplastic matrix 46 by means of application nozzles 48 in a separate shelter 47 , preferably with a reduced humidity of less than 1%. The soaked fibers 41 are covered with a protective film on the top and bottom 42 related, for example to protect them from the increase in humidity. These protective films 42 be behind the shelter 47 peeled off again, leaving a prepreg tape material 44 is generated, namely before being fed to the temperature control device 100 . This is used in the entire organic tape material plant 200 constant material direction 30th from left to right of the temperature control device 100 fed. Here a (compacting) pressure is applied in the transverse direction 31 , i.e. perpendicular to the material plane (XY plane, compare 2 ), onto the prepreg tape material 44 abandoned and passed through a temperature control, which is below the melting temperature of the thermoplastic. Then an organic sheet or tape is used 45 on the roll of tape 50 wound up. The temperature control device 100 is located within the encased prepreg device 300 the organic tape material plant 200 , in which a dry climate with a relative humidity of less than 10% is regulated. This ensures that the moisture-sensitive material does not absorb any inadmissibly high moisture from the ambient air during compaction or compression.

2 shows in section an embodiment of a temperature control device 100 The low level of complexity compared to a double-belt system is already evident here. The tool plates 1 and 2 were made larger than the actual tool in the specific exemplary embodiment in order to be able to use larger tools for this technology. For a temperature control device 100 , with which high material throughputs are to be guaranteed, a direct temperature control in the tool is advantageous, since less heat losses are to be expected. The material inlet is on the left in the picture 4th and on the right in the picture the material outlet 5 for the one between the lower tool plate 1 and the upper die plate 2 formed tool gap 3 , in which a lower contact surface 11th and an upper contact surface 12th are arranged facing the material. In this embodiment there are guide pillars 14th provided, which are shown enlarged here in detail and a tension spring 13th exhibit, by means of which the upper tool plate 2 , preferably (in addition to) along the force of gravity acting in the negative Z-direction, the tool gap 3 narrowed and towards the lower tool plate 1 is pulled. This creates a (compacting) pressure in the transverse direction 31 built up. Furthermore (regardless of the type of storage of the lower tool plate 1 to the upper die plate 2 ) are a lower first heating circuit 15th , a lower second heating circuit 16 , as well as an upper first heating circuit 17th and an upper second heating circuit 18th provided, which are preferably separately adjustable. For example, it is in the direction of the material 30th a temperature rise from the material inlet 4th until the material outlet 5 set so that the polymerization and thus the increase in viscosity initially take place slowly, so that a high conversion rate can initially be achieved on the inlet side.

3 shows a further embodiment of the temperature control device in a cut perspective detail view 100 with a tool gap 3 between the lower die plate 1 and the upper die plate 2 with the material running direction shown 30th . Below the tool gap 3 is a lower heating circuit 15th and above an upper heating circuit 17th intended. At the material inlet 4th a cavity is provided, this cavity extending into an inlet-side section 6th with a steeper and a slit-side section 7th then divided into a flattening curve transitioning shape. In this case, the cavity is created solely by a setback in the Z direction as shown in FIG 2 realized. The lower tool plate 1 points at the material inlet 4th even one towards the upper die plate 2 inclined surface. The upper tool plate 2 will, along the transverse direction 31 , for example by their weight, on the lower tool plate 1 pressed.

In 4th is a schematic section of a temperature control device 100 shown at which, here central, an inflow 8th is formed. The inflow 8th is by means of an injection unit 10 with a coating material 43 supplied, which is in a material gap 9 in material direction 30th down the inlet 8th on top of the prepreg tape 44 distributed. This is done on the upper contact surface 12th For example, a recess is provided or the shrinkage of the material of the prepreg tape material is used. From the lower contact surface 11th In the example shown, there is no inlet to the tool gap 3 provided, but this is not excluded. The reactive, i.e. not yet polymerized, prepreg tape material 44 , which is via the material inlet 4th the tool gap 3 is fed, occurs at the material outlet 5 due to the pressure load in the transverse direction 31 consolidated, and preferably with also consolidated coating material 43 , out again. In the 4th a section plane AA is marked, the section of which in 5 is shown.

In 5 the section AA is as in 4th and reference is made to the description of the same reference numerals. In the illustrated embodiment, the material gap is 9 over the entire width (Y-direction) of the prepreg strip material 44 arranged. For very wide material it may be advantageous to have a plurality of inlets 8th for an even distribution of coating material 43 on the prepreg material 44 to be provided.

List of reference symbols

100

Temperature control device

200

Organotape material plant

300

Prepreg device

1

lower tool plate

2

upper tool plate

3

Tool gap

4th

Material inlet

5

Material outlet

6th

upstream section

7th

gap-sided section

8th

Intake

9

Material gap

10

Injection unit

11th

lower contact surface

12th

upper contact surface

13th

Tension spring

14th

Guide pillar

15th

lower first heating circuit

16

lower second heating circuit

17th

upper first heating circuit

18th

upper second heating circuit

30th

Material orientation

31

Transverse direction

40

Fiber composite semi-finished products

41

Fibers

42

Protective films

43

Coating material

44

Prepreg tape material

45

Organic sheet / tape

46

Thermoplastic matrix

47

Shelter

48

Application nozzles for thermoplastic matrix

50

Pull-out unit

Claims (9)

Temperature control device (100) for flat fiber composite semifinished products (40), having at least the following components: - a lower tool plate (1); - An upper tool plate (2), between the lower tool plate (1) and the upper tool plate (2) a tool gap (3) with a lower contact surface (11) and an upper contact surface (12) for treating continuously fed prepreg strip material (44) is formed; - A material inlet (4) for guiding continuously fed prepreg strip material (44) into the tool gap (3); - A material outlet (5) for continuously pulling out prepreg strip material (44) fed into the tool gap (3), wherein the tool gap (3) can be tempered to a predetermined process temperature, characterized in that the lower contact surface (11) and the upper Contact surface (12) of the tool gap (3) can be guided towards one another in such a way that a prepreg strip material (44) which is arranged in the tool gap (3) and / or can be guided through the tool gap (3) can be loaded with a predetermined compacting pressure, the upper The tool plate (2) is mounted in a tension-spring-loaded manner in the transverse direction (31) to the tool gap (3) with a tensile force towards the lower tool plate (1). Temperature control device (100) according to Claim 1 , wherein the material inlet (4) tapers in the material running direction (30), preferably in several stages or in a curve, the material inlet (4) tapering more strongly in an inlet-side section (6) than in a gap-side section (7), and / or the tool gap (3) being widened preferably on the upper tool plate (2) alone or on the lower tool plate (1) alone. Tempering device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the tool gap (3) on the top and / or bottom has an inlet (8) for a coating material (43), wherein before the inlet (8) or immediately after the inlet (8) a material gap (9) that can be filled with the coating material (43) is formed between the fed prepreg strip material (44) and the tool gap (3), the inlet (8) preferably being temperature-controllable by means of the respective tool plate (1,2). Temperature control device (100) according to Claim 3 , wherein the upper tool plate (2) and / or the lower tool plate (1) is formed in one piece in the material running direction (30) and the coating material (43) is a polymer material, which is made up to the extraction of the compacted prepreg strip material (44) the material outlet (5) can be consolidated, the temperature of the coating material (43) in the tool gap (3) preferably being controllable. Temperature control device (100) according to Claim 3 or 4th wherein the inlet (8) comprises an injection unit (10) in order to supply the coating material (43) to the prepreg strip material (44) under excess pressure. Tempering device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the tool gap (3) has a low-friction contact surface (11, 12) on the top and / or bottom, preferably nitrided or chrome-plated. Organic strip material plant (200) for the production of flat fiber composite semifinished products (40), preferably organic sheets or tapes, having at least the following components: - A prepreg device (300) for the continuous production of prepreg strip material (44), which comprises fibers (41) and a reactive thermoplastic matrix (46); - At least one temperature control device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, arranged behind the prepreg device (300) in the material running direction (30); - A pull-out unit (50) for continuously pulling out the compacted prepreg strip material (44). Manufacturing method for the continuous production of compacted prepreg strip material (44) by means of at least one temperature control device (100) according to one of the Claims 1 until 6th comprising at least the following steps: - continuous feeding of thermoplastic reactive prepreg strip material (44) to the material inlet (4); and - from the material inlet (4) to the material outlet (5) consolidating the supplied prepreg strip material (44); characterized in that the contact surfaces (11, 12) of the tool gap (3) are rigid in the material running direction (30) and the following step is also provided: - Pulling out the consolidated prepreg strip material (44) in the material running direction (30) behind the material outlet (5) ) by means of a pull-out unit (50), preferably a roll of tape. Manufacturing process according to Claim 8 by means of an organic tape material plant (200) Claim 7 , the compacting immediately following the provision of the reactive prepreg strip material (44), preferably the The speed of pulling out the compacted prepreg strip material (44) from the material outlet (5) is identical to the speed of providing thermoplastic reactive prepreg strip material (44) by means of the prepreg device (300).

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