Method and device for manufacturing a composite part with a complex shape
AssigneeRoctool
InventorJosé Feigenblum
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for making a three-dimensional composite part with a thermoplastic matrix and continuous reinforcement. A pre-impregnated fibrous perform is obtained by three-dimensional knitting. The preform is placed on the punch or in the matrix of a tooling, defining between them a sealed closed cavity. The tooling is closed so as to apply a first pressure to the preform. The cavity is brought to the melting temperature of the polymer impregnating the preform by maintaining the first pressure. The cavity comprising the preform is cooled to a temperature suitable for demolding by maintaining the second pressure. The mold is opened and the part is demolded.
Claims11
A method for making a three-dimensional composite part with a thermoplastic matrix and continuous reinforcement, comprising:
- obtaining a three-dimensional shaped half shell of a suitcase comprising three-dimensional corner fittings fibrous preform with continuous reinforcement pre-impregnated of a polymer forming the thermoplastic matrix corresponding to a shape of the three-dimensional composite part by a three-dimensional knitting;
- placing the three-dimensional preform between a paired punch and die of a tooling having a closed and an open state comprising a gap between the paired punch and die, defining a sealed closed cavity between the paired punch and die when the tooling is in the closed state;
- closing the tooling so as to apply a first pressure to the three-dimensional preform;
- bringing the sealed closed cavity to a melting temperature of the polymer impregnating the preform, referred to as an impregnation polymer, by maintaining the first pressure;
- cooling the sealed closed cavity comprising the preform to a temperature suitable for demolding while maintaining a second pressure;
- opening the sealed closed cavity and demolding the three-dimensional shaped composite part.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.