Splice device, and composite material automated lamination device

A splice device comprising:

• a first support rod around which a first prepreg sheet is wound;
• a second support rod around which a second prepreg sheet having the same configuration as that of the first prepreg sheet is wound;
• a first detection unit that detects first information necessary for acquiring a residual amount of the first prepreg sheet wound around the first support rod;
• a second detection unit that detects second information required for acquiring a residual amount of the second prepreg sheet wound around the second support rod;
• a first cutting part that separates a rear end portion of the first prepreg sheet from the first support rod by cutting the first prepreg sheet in a width direction;
• a second cutting part that separates a rear end portion of the second prepreg sheet from the second support rod by cutting the second prepreg sheet in the width direction;
• a pressure-bonding mechanism that is disposed on a downstream side of the first and second cutting parts, pressure-bonds the rear end portion of the first prepreg sheet and a tip portion of the second prepreg sheet after the first prepreg sheet is cut in the width direction, and pressure-bonds the rear end portion of the second prepreg sheet and a tip portion of the first prepreg sheet after the second prepreg sheet is cut in the width direction;
• and
• a control device that controls the first cutting part, the second cutting part, and the pressure-bonding mechanism,
• wherein the control device acquires the residual amount of the first prepreg sheet on the basis of the first information, causes the first cutting part to cut the first prepreg sheet when the residual amount of the first prepreg sheet reaches a preset first residual amount, then causes the pressure-bonding mechanism to pressure-bond the rear end portion of the first prepreg sheet and the tip portion of the second prepreg sheet, acquires the residual amount of the second prepreg sheet on the basis of the second information, causes the second cutting part to cut the second prepreg sheet when the residual amount of the second prepreg sheet reaches a preset second residual amount, and then causes the pressure-bonding mechanism to pressure-bond the rear end portion of the second prepreg sheet and the tip portion of the first prepreg sheet, and
• wherein the pressure-bonding mechanism includes:
• a first suction plate including a first suction surface that suctions an inner surface of the rear end portion of the first prepreg sheet or an inner surface of the tip portion of the first-prepreg sheet,
• a second suction plate including a second suction surface that suctions an inner surface of the tip portion of the second prepreg sheet or an inner surface of the rear end portion of the second prepreg sheet, the first suction surface and the second suction surface being arranged to face each other in a vertical direction, and
• an elevating part that pressure-bonds the first prepreg sheet and the second prepreg sheet with the first and second suction plates in a state in which the first suction surface and the second suction surface are made to face each other by raising and lowering at least one of the first and second suction plates.