# US 12,179,443 B2 · Method and tool system for manufacturing a component from a fiber-reinforced plastic

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- Number: US 12,179,443 B2
- Document ID: US12179443B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/536,052
- Filed: 2021-11-28
- Published: 2022-05-19
- Granted: 2024-12-31
- Earliest claimed: 2019-07-30
- Assignees: Airbus Operations GmbH
- Applicants: Airbus Operations GmbH
- Inventors: Hauke Seegel
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12179443B2

## CPC

- B29C 70/48: and impregnating the reinforcements in the closed mould, e.g. resin transfer moulding [RTM] {, e.g. by vacuum}
- B29C 33/3828: {Moulds made of at least two different materials having different thermal conductivities}
- B29C 33/405: {Elastomers, e.g. rubber (B29C33/50 takes precedence)}
- B29C 70/443: {and impregnating by vacuum or injection}
- B29C 70/546: {Measures for feeding or distributing the matrix material in the reinforcing structure}
- B29K 2995/0012: having particular thermal properties
- B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00)
- B29K: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR {MOULDS, } REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS

## Abstract

A method for producing a component from a fiber-reinforced plastic, wherein at least one ply of a semifinished fiber product having a peripheral contour is applied to the molding tool at a first temperature, wherein the contour lies within the peripheral edge. A compensating body, having a coefficient of thermal expansion which is greater than a coefficient of thermal expansion of the molding tool, is arranged along the peripheral edge, such that the compensating body extends from the edge in the direction of the peripheral contour. After sealing the arrangement, resin is introduced, and the arrangement is heated. As a result, the compensating body expands to a greater extent than the molding tool and encloses the semifinished fiber product in a flush manner, with the result that a shape of the component can correspond to an intended final shape and no longer has to be finish-machined.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for producing a component from a fiber-reinforced plastic, comprising:
providing a molding tool with a tool surface having a peripheral edge;
positioning at least one ply of a semifinished fiber product, having a peripheral contour which lies within the peripheral edge, on the tool surface at a first temperature;
arranging a compensating body, having a coefficient of thermal expansion which is greater than a coefficient of thermal expansion of the molding tool, along the peripheral edge, such that the compensating body extends from the edge in a direction of the peripheral contour;
sealing an arrangement of the at least one ply and of the compensating body by a closure device to form a closed mold;
heating the mold, such that the compensating body expands to a greater extent than the mold;
introducing resin into the mold; and
curing, cooling, and removing the component;
wherein the compensating body is narrower at longitudinal edges than at transverse edges of the molding tool before being arranged on the molding tool.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein heating the mold comprises:
heating the mold from the first temperature to a second temperature at which the compensating body expands to an extent that exceeds expansion of the mold by an amount such that the compensating body partially fills an interspace formed between the peripheral contour and the peripheral edge; and
wherein curing the component comprises:
heating the mold from the second temperature to a limit temperature at which the resin initiates crosslinking in the semifinished fiber product and the compensating body further expands to an extent that exceeds further expansion of the mold such that the compensating body exactly fills the interspace; and
heating the mold from the limit temperature to a third temperature at which curing of the resin is completed.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The method of claim 2, wherein the second temperature is in a range of from 70° C. to 150° C.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The method of claim 3, wherein the third temperature is in a range of from 150° C. to 220° C.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the molding tool has a coefficient of thermal expansion of at most 30·10−6 K−1, and the compensating body has a coefficient of thermal expansion of at least 100·10−6 K−1.