Device and method for manufacturing a fiber composite component

• US 8,394,222 B2
• Filed: 11/17/2008
• Issued: 03/12/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 11/15/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH (Airbus SE)
• Original Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH (Airbus SE)
• Inventors: Rettig, Bernd
• Primary Examiner(s): AFTERGUT, JEFFRY H
• Application Number:
  US12/742,443
• Publication Number:
  US 20100252182A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,576 Days
• Field of Search: 156/169, 156/172, 156/173, 156/175, 156/425
• US Class Current: 156/169
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 53/582 comprising reinforcements, e.g. wires, threads
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 53/588 having a non-linear axis, e.g. elbows, toroids
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 53/68 with rotatable winding feed member
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 53/8016 Storing, feeding or applying winding materials, e.g. reels, thread guides, tensioners
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 70/32 on a rotating mould, former or core
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 70/38 Automated lay-up, e.g. using robots, laying filaments according to predetermined patterns application heads for tyres B29D30/28
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2105/246 Uncured, e.g. green
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2707/04 Carbon
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 50/40 Weight reduction

Abstract

A device for manufacturing an FC component with at least one distributing device for placing at least band-shaped material onto a surface of a tool mold or semi-finished product for manufacturing the FC component, wherein the device has at least one bogie truck that carries the distributing device and a guide way that runs around the surface at least partially in its circumferential direction, on which the bogie truck for traversing the distributing device can be moved relative to the surface, as well as a method for manufacturing a fiber composite component and a component fabricated according to such a method.

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing an FC component with at least one distributing device for placing band-shaped material onto a surface of a tool mold or semi-finished product for manufacturing the FC component, the method comprising:

arranging the distributing device on a bogie truck such that the distributing device traverses along a guide way that runs around the surface at least partially in its circumferential direction, wherein the distributing device is rotatably articulated on the bogie truck and comprises a receiving roller for receiving and dispensing band prepreg material such that the band prepreg material is placed on the surface,

holding an end section of the tool mold or semi-finished product by means of a coupling device in order to execute a feed motion of the tool mold or semi-finished product relative to the guide way.

2. A device for manufacturing a FC component with at least one distributing device for placing material onto a surface of a tool mold or semi-finished product to manufacture the FC component, wherein the device comprises:

a circumferentially extending guide way,

a feeder for moving the tool mold or semi-finished product relative to the guide way,

a bogie truck with a distributing device respectively comprising a roller set, the bogie truck being supported by the guide way and being movable along the guide way, wherein the distributing device is rotatably articulated on the bogie truck and comprises a receiving roller for receiving and dispensing band prepreg material, and

the feeder has a coupling device for holding an end section of the tool mold or semi-finished product in order to execute a feed motion of the tool mold or semi-finished product relative to the guide way.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the device is realized such that the bogie truck is movable relative to the surface and die tool mold or the semi-finished product is movable relative to the bogie truck.

4. The device of claim 2, wherein the feeder has a robot arm with the coupling device.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the robot arm is arranged outside the bogie truck, and at least sectionally envelops an end section of the tool mold or semi-finished product.

6. The device of claim 2, wherein the device has a feed path and a feed truck traversable thereupon, which can hold the tool mold or semi-finished product.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the feed path has at least one rail for accommodating a roller set of the feed truck.

8. The device of claim 6, wherein the feed path has at least one toothed section, which can be engaged with at least one driving wheel of the feed truck.

9. The device of claim 2, wherein the device has a motion controller for at least one of:

(i) the bogie truck along a path of motion, (ii) the distributing device along a swiveling axis, (iii) the tool mold or semi-finished product, and (iv) the feed motion relative to the guide way.

10. The device of claim 2, wherein the movement of the bogie truck along the guide way as well as the feed motion of the tool mold or semi-finished product and the guide way can be coupled with each other by means of a coupling device.

11. The device of claim 2, further comprising a motion controller designed in such a way that, given a predetermined curvature of the tool mold or semi-finished product in a longitudinal direction with a radius of curvature (RK) that is variable or non-variable along the longitudinal direction, the direction of the radius of curvature (RK) toward a midpoint of a region on which the band material is being placed by the distributing device onto the surface of the tool mold or semi-finished product deviates by at most 30 degrees from a radial plane (E) that is mounted by the guide way, or by a tangential plane at the instantaneous location of the truck.

12. The device of claim 3, wherein the coupling device has a gripper designed in such a way that it can envelop the tool mold or semi-finished product at least sectionally at one end.

13. The device of claim 2, wherein the distributing device can be pivoted around a swiveling axis that runs transversely to the guide way.

14. The device of claim 2, wherein the guide way is designed on an annular carrier part that circles the tool mold or semi-finished product.

15. The device of claim 2, wherein the guide way has at least one rail for accommodating a roller set of the bogie truck.