Ready-made technologies for fiber-reinforced plastic composites

Abstract

Ready-made technology processes are used to cut the semi-finished products from the textile fabric manufacturing processes, give them the shape of the near net-shape dry preform, assemble, and prepare them for composite material production process. This includes pattern design of the individual preform parts, nesting, and spreading as cutting preparation, as well as cutting and textile assembly of the preform by sewing, welding, and bonding. To ensure mechanical functionality of the composite component, the semi-finished products have to be selected carefully and integrated into the preform structure in the directions of forces. This has to be managed without fold formation and with only a defined change of yarn orientation during draping. In cutting and assembly, CNC-controlled machines or robot-guided handling and joining technologies, among them one-side sewing and industrial handling are required for reasons of reproducibility. Component properties are influenced by the assembly processes. Z-reinforcements are advantageous, while the pricking and piercing reduce in-plane characteristics due to perforation.