LAYERED CONSTRUCTION OF A FIBROUS BODY

Abstract

A method to produce a fibrous body that includes structures crosslinked in a fluid-permeable manner. The method includes constructing the fibrous body in layers by alternately applying a fiber-matrix material to a layer substrate and fusing each applied layer of the fiber-matrix material. The fiber-matrix material contains a matrix material and a plurality of short fibers and/or fiber particles.

Claims

1. A method for producing a fibrous body, comprising constructing the fibrous body in layers by alternately applying a fiber-matrix material to a layer substrate and fusing each applied layer of the fiber-matrix material to the layer substrate, wherein the fibrous body comprises a plurality of crosslinked structures and wherein the fiber-matrix material contains a matrix material and a plurality of one or more of short fibers and fiber particles.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the fiber-matrix material is applied by a micro-nozzle.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the fiber-matrix material is or comprises a thermoplastic.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein thermoplastic is a polymer.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein application of the fiber-matrix material comprises blowing the matrix material and the short fibers or fiber particles onto each layer substrate or comprises blowing the matrix material or the short fibers or fiber particles onto each layer substrate.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the application comprises flooding the entire surface of the layer substrate with the fiber-matrix material, which is locally solidified in a targeted manner.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the application comprises bathing retaining matter in the fiber-matrix material.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein bathing of the retaining matter comprises bathing of at least one vertically taut fiber.

9. The method according to claim 1, comprising changing the fiber-matrix material when alternately applying and fusing layers.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the fusing step comprises heating using one, two or more heat sources.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the fusion is carried out by one or more of light and hot gas.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the layer substrate comprises an electrically conductive material, and wherein the fusing comprises connecting at least part of the layer substrate to a current source.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein application of the fiber-matrix material comprises one or more of spraying the material onto the layer substrate heated by the flow of current and immersing, in the fiber-matrix material, at least part of the layer substrate heated by the flow of current.

14. A method for producing a component, comprising: producing a fibrous body, wherein producing the fibrous body comprises constructing the fibrous body in layers by alternately applying a fiber-matrix material to a layer substrate and fusing each applied layer of the fiber-matrix material to the layer substrate, wherein the fibrous body comprises a plurality of crosslinked structures and wherein the fiber-matrix material contains a matrix material and a plurality of one or more of short fibers and fiber particles; and infiltrating the fibrous body with one or more of a thermosetting matrix and a thermoplastic matrix.

15. The method according to claim 14, further comprising curing the infiltrated fibrous body by one or more of hot pressing and in an autoclave.

16. A device for producing a fibrous body, comprising: an applicator for applying layers of a fiber-matrix material, which contains a matrix material and a plurality of at one or more of short fibers and fiber particles, to a layer substrate; and a fusing mechanism for fusing each applied layer of the fiber-matrix material to the layer substrate; wherein the device is configured for producing a fibrous body, comprising constructing the fibrous body in layers by alternately applying a fiber-matrix material to a layer substrate and fusing each applied layer of the fiber-matrix material to the layer substrate, wherein the fibrous body comprises a plurality of crosslinked structures and wherein the fiber-matrix material contains a matrix material and a plurality of one or more of short fibers and fiber particles.

17. A device for producing a component, comprising: an applicator for applying layers of a fiber-matrix material, which contains a matrix material and a plurality of at one or more of short fibers and fiber particles, to a layer substrate; and a fusing mechanism for fusing each applied layer of the fiber-matrix material to the layer substrate; wherein the device is configured for producing a component, comprising: producing a fibrous body, wherein producing the fibrous body includes constructing the fibrous body in layers by alternately applying a fiber-matrix material to a layer substrate and fusing each applied layer of the fiber-matrix material to the layer substrate, wherein the fibrous body comprises a plurality of crosslinked structures and wherein the fiber-matrix material contains a matrix material and a plurality of one or more of short fibers and fiber particles, and infiltrating the fibrous body with one or more of a thermosetting matrix and a thermoplastic matrix.

18. The device according to claim 17, wherein the device is further configured for curing the infiltrated fibrous body by one or more of hot pressing and in an autoclave.

19. A fibrous body comprising a plurality of crosslinked structures, wherein the fibrous body is produced in layers from a fiber-matrix material which contains a matrix material and a plurality of one or more of short fibers and fiber particles.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] Some embodiments of the disclosure herein will be described in more detail in the following with reference to the drawings. Of course, the schematic individual elements and components can also be combined in ways other than those shown and/or have different designs, and the method according to the disclosure herein is not restricted to the variants shown.

[0033] In the drawings:

[0034] FIG. 1 shows an example of a device according to the disclosure herein for producing a fibrous body.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] FIG. 1 shows an example of a device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, which is designed (i.e. suitable) to produce a fibrous body 1 using a method according to the disclosure herein in one embodiment; in the FIGURE details of the method are shown in detail in the circle.

[0036] The device 100 comprises a portal system 11, by which a micro-nozzle 7 can be moved over a height-adjustable table 9 in order to position layers of a fiber-matrix material 2 thereon in order to produce the fibrous body 1; in this case the fiber-matrix material is conveyed from a container 10 to the micro-nozzle 7. The portal system 11 and the height-adjustable table 9 are preferably automatically controlled by at least one computing unit (not shown). Similarly to the micro-nozzle 7, a heat source 8 is also arranged on an arm of the portal system.

[0037] The heat source 8 is designed or configured to heat up each applied layer 4 of the fiber-matrix material and to locally weld each layer 4 to the layer substrate immediately after it has been applied and before any other layer is applied. The orientation of the heat source 8 is preferably controllable such that it can be oriented towards a region to be welded in a targeted manner.

[0038] An embodiment which comprises a temperature measurement device (not shown) for recording a temperature of the heat source and/or heat applied, and in which the power of the heat source can be automatically regulated on the basis of a temperature recorded by the temperature measurement device, is advantageous.

[0039] The fiber-matrix material 2 contains a matrix material 5 (for example a polymer) and a plurality of short fibers 6 (e.g. carbon fiber pieces and/or glass fiber pieces), which preferably have a length of from 0.1 mm to 1 mm. In the situation shown, a layer 4 is applied to a layer substrate 3, which is a previously applied layer of the fiber-matrix material in this case.

[0040] While at least one exemplary embodiment of the present invention(s) is disclosed herein, it should be understood that modifications, substitutions and alternatives may be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art and can be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. This disclosure is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the exemplary embodiment(s). In addition, in this disclosure, the terms comprise or comprising do not exclude other elements or steps, the terms a or one do not exclude a plural number, and the term or means either or both. Furthermore, characteristics or steps which have been described may also be used in combination with other characteristics or steps and in any order unless the disclosure or context suggests otherwise. This disclosure hereby incorporates by reference the complete disclosure of any patent or application from which it claims benefit or priority.