Laser fiber chopper
AssigneeLear Corporation
InventorBari W. Brown
Life of this patent
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Abstract
This apparatus uses laser beams in place of existing standard glass chopper units affixed to resin mix heads. Conventional glass choppers use steel blades that eventually wear out or break, adding to maintenance costs. The laser device operates in a manner that allows one to set the pulse rate for the specific purpose of varying the fiber length. During the injection operation, intensity of the laser may be adjusted to accommodate cutting or different sizes and kinds of fibers. The laser apparatus preferably produces long fiber reinforced urethane substrates such as interior door panels for automobile doors.
Claims19
An apparatus for chopping continuous fibers into discrete fiber lengths comprising:
- a laser creating a laser beam;
- means for feeding continuous fibers into the laser beam wherein the continuous fibers are glass fiber strands;
- means for discharging discrete fiber lengths from the laser beam;
- a fluid discharge block for propelling the discrete fiber lengths from the laser;
- and
- a controller that controls the laser to rapidly cut the grass fiber strands with minimal physical damage and with minimal heat damage to the glass fiber strands.
An apparatus for chopping continuous fibers into discrete fiber lengths comprising:
- a laser creating a laser beam;
- a body for housing the laser;
- means for feeding continuous glass fiber strands into the body;
- means for directing the laser beam at the strands;
- means for discharging discrete strand lengths from the body;
- a fluid discharge block for propelling the discrete fiber lengths from the body;
- and
- a controller that controls the laser to rapidly cut the strands with minimal physical damage and with minimal heat damage to the strands;
- and
- wherein the means for discharging the discrete strand lengths causes the strand lengths to be ejected from the body along a primary path, wherein the body includes a means for directing a resin spray into the primary path of the strand lengths.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.