B29C2945/76461

Optimization of layup process for fabrication of wind turbine blades using model-based optical projection system
11554556 · 2023-01-17 · ·

A method to design the kits and layup the reinforcement layers and core using projection system, comprising a mold having a contoured surface; a layup projection generator which: defines a plurality of mold sections; identifies the dimensions and location for a plurality of layup segments. A model-based calibration method for alignment of laser projection system is provided in which mold features are drawn digitally, incorporated into the plug(s) which form the wind turbine blade mold, and transferred into the mold. The mold also includes reflective targets which are keyed to the molded geometry wherein their position is calculated from the 3D model. This method ensures the precision level required from projection system to effectively assist with fabrication of wind turbine blades. In this method, digital location of reflectors is utilized to compensate for the mold deformations.

METHOD OF MOULDING AND MOULD TOOL
20230010076 · 2023-01-12 ·

A mould tool comprising: a first tool part defining a first mould cavity portion; a second tool part defining a second mould cavity portion; and, a cavity alignment system comprising: a temperature control system configured to control the temperature of a first zone of the first tool part to thereby effect thermal expansion and/or contraction in the first zone of the first tool part; a sensor configured to measure movement of a part of the first tool part in response to the said thermal expansion and/or contraction; and, a controller configured to control the temperature control system in response to feedback from the sensor to thereby control the position of the first mould cavity portion relative to the second mould cavity portion.

Semi-automated layup process for fabrication of wind turbine blades using laser projection system

A system for fabrication of a wind turbine blade including a laser projection which identifies the dimensions for a plurality of layup segments; determines the sequence of layup segments within first and second sections of the mold, wherein the sequence of layup segments within the second section of the mold are synchronized with the layup segments within a first section of the mold. The system also includes a projection device visually depicting the boundaries of a plurality of layup segments onto the mold. This system automates fabrication of composite structures by setting a pace for each task and ensuring operators complete each task within the allotted period. The projection system and layup delivery mechanism can advance with respect the mold to ensure the pace is maintained and an overall product cycle time is adhered to.

INJECTION MOLDED COMPONENT
20220390086 · 2022-12-08 ·

An injection molded component has a functional portion and a quality control portion. The quality control portion comprises a set of protrusions which are adapted to distort visibly in response to injection molding shrinkage, thereby to enable visual quality control inspection.

Injection Molding Machine Management System
20220379533 · 2022-12-01 ·

An injection molding machine management system, which manages an injection molding unit including an injection molding machine and a peripheral device that performs a previous step or a subsequent step of a molding step, includes a first display unit that displays a first screen for displaying a state of the molding step of the injection molding machine. The first screen includes a first screen area and a second screen area. The first screen area displays a first indicator related to quality in the molding step of the injection molding machine, and the second screen area displays a second indicator related to quality in the previous step of the molding step or the subsequent step of the molding step.

TEMPERATURE SENSOR
20230095309 · 2023-03-30 · ·

A temperature sensor used in a molding machine is provided. The temperature sensor comprises a cylindrical fiber probe through which an optical fiber is inserted; an outer housing having a shaft, into which the fiber probe is inserted to be displaceable in an axial direction; a protective window disposed on a tip end side of the fiber probe and configured to protect a tip end of the fiber probe; and an elastic member that presses the fiber probe toward the protective window.

PART CONTROL DEVICE AND METHOD
20220339835 · 2022-10-27 ·

The present description concerns a device for controlling parts being manufactured, comprising at least one image sensor configured to form, for each part at last one first image by thermography and at least one second image by polarimetry.

Open/close counting device
11609744 · 2023-03-21 · ·

An open/close counting device to be attached to one of a first die and a second die which constitute a die, the die being opened by relatively moving the first die and the second die, the open/close counting device counting the number of open/close times of the die. The open/close counting device includes an open/close detecting section provided so as to face a target face of the other of the first die and the second die and to detect relative displacement of the target face along a die moving direction in non-contact condition, and includes an output section to output the open/close times counted based on detection of open/close by the open/close detecting section.

SEMI-AUTOMATED LAYUP PROCESS FOR FABRICATION OF WIND TURBINE BLADES USING LASER PROJECTION SYSTEM
20230133820 · 2023-05-04 ·

A system for fabrication of a wind turbine blade including a laser projection which identifies the dimensions for a plurality of layup segments; determines the sequence of layup segments within first and second sections of the mold, wherein the sequence of layup segments within the second section of the mold are synchronized with the layup segments within a first section of the mold. The system also includes a projection device visually depicting the boundaries of a plurality of layup segments onto the mold. This system automates fabrication of composite structures by setting a pace for each task and ensuring operators complete each task within the allotted period. The projection system and layup delivery mechanism can advance with respect the mold to ensure the pace is maintained and an overall product cycle time is adhered to.

Display device
11397550 · 2022-07-26 · ·

A display device to be attached to a die, the display device including a display to rewrite and display die management information obtained in an information acquisition section to obtain the die management information for managing the die. The display uses electric power when display content is rewritten, and the display uses no electric power for keeping the display.