K2013: Kaufmann aims for mass produced/lightweight composite parts

Swiss mould maker Georg Kaufmann, together with partners, has developed the LIPA (Lightweight Integrated Process Application) technology for the mass production of lightweight composite parts.

Cut-to-size blanks of Tepex organic sheet – a fabric-reinforced thermoplastic – are first pre-heated and then placed in the mould, where they are thermoformed and at the same time provided with moulded-on ribs, bearing eyes and other working parts with the aid of the long-fibre direct injection moulding process developed by German injection moulding machine maker Arburg

The result is a lightweight part of extremely high strength and stiffness. The entire production process will be demonstrated at K2013 on the Arburg exhibition stand (A13 in Hall 13) on a hydraulic Allrounder 820 S equipped with servo hydraulics. The machine and mould will be producing a demonstration part similar, for example, to a swing arm for a bicycle or a structural element in a car seat.

For the production of the demonstration lever, two cut-to-size organic sheet blanks of different thicknesses are gently heated up to thermoforming temperature in synchronism with the moulding cycle of the machine. A robot equipped with a vacuum gripper safely transfers the blanks with a minimum of delay into the mould cavity where they are thermoformed into a W-shaped profile. This not only increases the rigidity of the lever but also ensures a full-surface, firmly pressed, positive connection between the two component sheets. Stiffening ribs and an edging of long fibre-reinforced plastic are then injection moulded onto the organic sheets.

As the temperature of the organic sheets is only slightly below the melting temperature of the base polymer, a perfect bond is ensured. For the same reason it is also possible to produce moulded-on elements (e.g. screw bosses) by injecting through the organic sheet without causing any damage to the fibre structure in the moulded part. In order that it can be connected to a mating part in a downstream process, the demonstration lever is provided with a corresponding hole during the moulding operation without adversely affecting the fibre structure.

Apart from the mass production, other benefits include:

  • Improvement in the lightweight coefficient through local application of different thicknesses of organic sheet according to the load distribution within the moulded part.
  • Reliable bond between the component organic sheets through full-surface, firmly pressed, positive connection.
  • Creation of hole in the organic sheet without damaging the fibre structure.
  • Encapsulation of the exposed fibres of the cut-to-size organic sheets through a moulded-on all-around edging.
  • Reduction in heat-up temperatures for the organic sheet through minimum temperature loss during the moulding cycle.
  • Long-fibre direct injection moulding readily permits flexible combinations of material through variations in fibre length and content.
  • Significant cost benefits offered by long-fibre direct injection moulding thanks to use of cost-saving starting materials.
Project partners include the following:

Arburg:
Injection moulding machine equipped with an injection
unit in which thelong glass fibres are cut and mixed
into the melt directly from the roving


Bond Laminates:
Fabric-reinforced sheets with thermoplastic matrix
(Tepex organic sheet)


FPT Robotik GmbH & Co. KG:
Design and production of process automation system

Georg Kaufmann Concept GmbH:
Part design; Moldflow simulation of injection moulding
operation


Georg Kaufmann Formenbau AG(LIPA initiator):
LIPA mould, process design and engineering

HRS:
Hot runner system with needle valve nozzles
suitable for LFRTs


ILK/LZS GmbH:
Calculation and simulation of the part

Kistler Instrumente AG (LIPA partner):
Mould sensor technology

Krelus Infrared (LIPA partner):
Infrared heater and control unit

Lanxess Deutschland GmbH:
Cutting pattern organic sheet, drape simulation of
the part


SKZ - KFE gGmbH:
Process monitoring and quality control

(PRA)

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