METHOD AND DEVICE FOR PRODUCING A FIBER-REINFORCED SEMI-FINISHED PLATE BY ULTRASONIC WELDING

Abstract

The present invention provides a continuous method for producing a fiber-reinforced semi-finished plate. The present invention also provides a device for carrying out the continuous method for producing a fiber-reinforced semi-finished plate. The present invention provides the fiber-reinforced semi-finished plate.

Claims

1. A process for producing a fiber-reinforced semifinished panel comprising the following operations: (1) unrolling two or more unidirectionally fiber-reinforced semifinished products from rolls; (2) joining the two or more unidirectionally fiber-reinforced semifinished products to afford a fiber-reinforced semifinished panel sheeting by ultrasonic welding; (3) cutting the fiber-reinforced semifinished panel from the fiber-reinforced semifinished panel sheeting.

2. A process for producing a fiber-reinforced semifinished panel, wherein two or more face to face superposed unidirectionally fiber-reinforced semifinished products are inseparably conjoined by ultrasonic welding.

3. The process according to claim 1, wherein the two or more unidirectionally fiber-reinforced semifinished products are conjoined to an extent of more than 99%, based on the surfaces with which they face each other.

4. The process according to claim 1, wherein the process is performed continuously.

5. The process according to claim 1, wherein the alignment of the fibers of at least one of the two or more unidirectionally fiber-reinforced semifinished products is distinct from the alignment of the fibers of the other unidirectionally fiber-reinforced semifinished product or products.

6. The process according to claim 1, wherein the alignment of the fibers of the two or more unidirectionally fiber-reinforced semifinished products is identical.

7. The fiber-reinforced semifinished panel produced by the process according to claim 1.

8. An apparatus for implementing the process according to claim 1, wherein parallel to the advancement direction of the unidirectionally fiber-reinforced semifinished products at least one sonotrode is arranged above or below said products and as an abutment to the at least one sonotrode at least one anvil wheel is mounted on the side of the unidirectionally fiber-reinforced semifinished products facing away from the at least one sonotrode.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein a pressing roller is mounted downstream of the sonotrode in the advancement direction.

10. A method comprising producing housing parts or housings or covers for IT devices, housings or housing parts of household appliances, and parts, of automobiles or parts of aeroplanes utilizing the fiber-reinforced semifinished panel according to claim 7.

Description

[0180] The apparatus according to the invention is shown in exemplary and simplified form in FIGS. 1 to 4 without any intention to limit the invention to the embodiments depicted in these figures.

[0181] FIG. 1 plan view of a section of the inventive apparatus for producing a fiber-reinforced semifinished panel, wherein the sonotrodes are arranged in a zigzag.

[0182] FIG. 2 plan view of a section of the inventive apparatus for producing a fiber-reinforced semifinished panel, wherein the sonotrodes are arranged in straight line.

[0183] FIG. 3 plan view of a section of the inventive apparatus for producing a fiber-reinforced semifinished panel, wherein the sonotrodes are arranged in inclined alignment over the width of the tape/semifinished panel sheeting.

[0184] FIG. 4 side view of a section of the inventive apparatus for producing a fiber-reinforced semifinished panel.

[0185] The reference numerals have the following meanings: [0186] 1 advancement direction [0187] 2 sonotrode(s) [0188] 3 pressing roller [0189] 4 fiber-reinforced semifinished panel sheeting [0190] 5 anvil wheel [0191] 6 tape(s) [0192] 7 support for fiber-reinforced semifinished panel sheeting [0193] 8 axis/axes of the sonotrode(s) [0194] 9 axis of the anvil roller