Device and method for forming a composite panel from a thermoplastic matrix
First Claim
1. A system to stamp a thermoplastic matrix composite blank, the thermoplastic composite blank comprising a fibrous reinforcement in the form of continuous fibers that cannot be deformed physically, the system comprises:
- a frame;
a stamping die;
a machined blank, made of a thermoplastic composite comprising non-deformable continuous fibers, routed according to a contour comprising cut out of holes configured to receive positioning elements of the frame;
a plurality of cleats fixed on the frame at adjustable positions and extending towards an interior of the frame and delimiting a surface of an internal opening of the frame, free from any obstacle;
a locator linked to a cleat and configured to cooperate with a guiding hole machined in the machined blank;
radiant panels to heat the machined blank while the machine blank is on the frame; and
wherein said cleat linked to the locator is made of a material having a thermal diffusivity at least 10 times higher than a thermal diffusivity of a polymer forming the thermoplastic matrix composite blank, such that the cleat linked to the locator forms a heat sink; and
wherein an outside perimeter of the stamping die is inscribed in the internal opening of the frame.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and method for stamping a thermoplastic matrix composite blank, in view of heating and stamping the blank. The apparatus includes a machined blank and a frame. A plurality of cleats are fixed on the frame, extend towards the interior of the frame. The cleats delimit an internal opening surface of the frame, free from any obstacle. A locator is linked with a cleat and configured to cooperate with a hole machined in the blank. A heat sink is located near the locator and configured to maintain locally the blank temperature under the melting temperature of the polymer constituting the matrix, during the heating and transfer of the blank.
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Citations
7 Claims
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1. A system to stamp a thermoplastic matrix composite blank, the thermoplastic composite blank comprising a fibrous reinforcement in the form of continuous fibers that cannot be deformed physically, the system comprises:
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a frame; a stamping die; a machined blank, made of a thermoplastic composite comprising non-deformable continuous fibers, routed according to a contour comprising cut out of holes configured to receive positioning elements of the frame; a plurality of cleats fixed on the frame at adjustable positions and extending towards an interior of the frame and delimiting a surface of an internal opening of the frame, free from any obstacle; a locator linked to a cleat and configured to cooperate with a guiding hole machined in the machined blank; radiant panels to heat the machined blank while the machine blank is on the frame; and wherein said cleat linked to the locator is made of a material having a thermal diffusivity at least 10 times higher than a thermal diffusivity of a polymer forming the thermoplastic matrix composite blank, such that the cleat linked to the locator forms a heat sink; and wherein an outside perimeter of the stamping die is inscribed in the internal opening of the frame. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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Specification