Process for preparing moulded articles from fibre-reinforced composite materials—II
US10780608B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 25, 2016 |
| Grant date | Sep 22, 2020 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 8, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB29K2995/0097
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The present invention relates to low or zero-tack composite materials such as pre-pregs and their use in automated manufacturing, particularly robotic pick and place. The present invention further relates to an automated process for preparing an article, particularly a molded article, from a fiber-reinforced composition material.The molded articles prepared by the process described herein are particularly suitable as components for transport applications, and particularly the automotive industry. The automotive components prepared by the present invention are particularly suitable as mid- or high-volume automotive parts, in which cost and speed of production are paramount. The present invention provides a process in which the cutting and handling of pre-preg materials is greatly simplified, providing advantages of efficiency and economy. The lay-up time according to the present invention is significantly reduced, allowing a reduction in the unit cost per component and/or allowing the high volume of component production desired in the automotive industry.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.