Institut für Montagetechnik und Industrierobotik Forschung Publikationen
Simultaneous Grasping and Heating Technology for Automated Handling and Preforming of Continuous Fiber Reinforced Thermoplastics

Simultaneous Grasping and Heating Technology for Automated Handling and Preforming of Continuous Fiber Reinforced Thermoplastics

Kategorien Konferenz (reviewed)
Jahr 2017
Autorinnen/Autoren Bruns, C.; Raatz, A.
Veröffentlicht in Procedia CIRP 66 (2017), pp. 119–124 (1st CIRP Conference on Composite Materials Parts Manufacturing (CCMPM)), 6 pages
Beschreibung

Nowadays large-scale production systems for lightweight car-bodies made of composite materials become increasingly important. Especially, the use of thermoplastic matrix materials makes these composites worthwhile for large quantities. However, these so-called organo-sheets must be heated above melting temperature before manufacturing. In this state, the composite becomes form unstable, which complicates the handling in an automated process. To simplify the handling, this paper presents an approach, which allows the handling, heating and preforming of organo- sheets. This includes the introduction of a robot-tool, which is composed of heatable vortex-grippers and a folding mechanism, as well as a analysis of its automation potential.

DOI 10.1016/j.procir.2017.03.286