Method and device for infrared welding of polymer composites
AssigneeLuxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (List)
InventorsHenri Perrin, Loïc Borghini, Sébastien Klein
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system and a method for infrared welding of two carbon-fibre reinforced thermoplastic workpieces that enables to obtain pieces of better quality and strength. The system removes the heating means and engages the contact between the two workpieces faster.
Claims9
A system for infrared welding a first workpiece made of carbon-fiber reinforced thermoplastic polymers (CFRTP) to a second workpiece made of CFRTP, the system comprising:
- an upper tool, for holding the first workpiece, wherein the upper tool is movable in a vertical direction;
- a lower tool, for holding the second workpiece;
- a heating assembly comprising infrared heating means and configured to move in a transverse direction between an operative position where the heating means can simultaneously heat a respective portion of the first workpiece and of the second workpiece, and a resting position;
- and
- a mechanism configured for moving synchronously the upper tool and the heating assembly, the mechanism comprising:
- a mechanical connection connecting the upper tool to the heating assembly;
- and
- an actuator acting directly on one of the upper tool or the heating assembly, whereas the other one of the upper tool or the heating assembly is moved via the mechanical connection.
A method for infrared welding a first workpiece made of carbon-fiber reinforced thermoplastic polymers (CFRTP) to a second workpiece made of CFRTP, the method being carried out with a system comprising:
- an upper tool, for holding the first workpiece, wherein the upper tool is movable in a vertical direction;
- a lower tool, for holding the second workpiece;
- a heating assembly comprising infrared heating means and configured to move in a transverse direction between an operative position where the heating means can simultaneously heat a respective portion of the first workpiece and of the second workpiece, and a resting position;
- and a mechanism configured for moving synchronously the upper tool and the heating assembly, the mechanism comprising:
- a mechanical connection connecting the upper tool to the heating assembly;
- and an actuator acting directly on one of the upper tool or the heating assembly, whereas the other one of the upper tool or the heating assembly is moved via the mechanical connection, the method comprising:
- heating a respective portion of the first and second workpieces with the infrared heating assembly;
- synchronously moving:
- the heating assembly transversally;
- and
- the upper tool downwardly.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.