The invention pertains to a method for producing a composite part from a first moulded part and a second moulded part by means of injection moulding, injection compression moulding or back compression moulding of a plastic material.
Nowadays, numerous objects are produced from or by utilizing plastics because plastics provide various advantages. Plastics are organic materials of high molecular weight that exist in numerous variations and are predominantly produced synthetically, wherein a variety of chemical compounds with different material properties is available as source materials for a synthesis. Accordingly, plastic materials can be produced in large quantities and with a broad variety of material properties (mechanical, chemical, electrical properties, etc.), for example, in the form of thermoplastic polymers, thermosetting polymers, foamed plastics, elastomers, electrically conductive plastics, materials with embedded plastics as a mechanical reinforcement (for example, fiber-reinforced materials), etc.
Unshaped source products of plastic (polymer melts) can be processed into shaped products (moulded parts, semi-finished products) in a relatively cost-efficient fashion with a series of standard processes, for example, by means of injection moulding or injection compression moulding plastic materials with the aid of suitably shaped moulding tools or by means of back compression moulding of plastic materials (in this context, this refers to “pressing a plastic material on the back of a given material structure”) with a suitably shaped moulding tool.
Such techniques make it possible to precisely and cost-efficiently produce large quantities of plastic products with nearly arbitrary shapes and with reproducible material properties.
A suitable choice of the plastics to be processed makes it possible to optimize the material properties of the respective moulded parts for specific applications.
Moulded parts frequently should fulfill several different optimization criteria simultaneously, for example, with respect to the mechanical strength and the elastic properties, the electric conductivity, the optical properties, the quality of the surface with respect to friction or an optical impression, the resistance to certain chemicals, the thermal properties, etc. However, it is usually impossible to simultaneously fulfill several such varied requirements with a single material.
In order to create moulded parts that fulfill various technical requirements, the experts aim to combine different materials with one another (for example, different plastics or a plastic and other materials) and to process these materials into a moulded part in combined form.
For example, WO 99/47328 discloses different processes and corresponding devices for the back injection moulding or back compression moulding of a plastic on the back of decorative materials (for example, carpets, textiles, foils): according to this method, a flat structure of a decorative material and a plastic are processed into a moulded part by respectively injecting and moulding (in a mould cavity with stationary mould cavity walls) or compressing and moulding (in a mould cavity with movable mould cavity walls in order to compress the plastic) a fictile (non-hardened) plastic mass on one side of the respective structure. During this process, the decorative material and the plastic are bonded to one another on a common boundary surface during the hardening of the plastic and thusly form a moulded part, the shape of which is defined by the shape of the respective mould cavity. One portion of the surface of such a moulded part is formed by one side of the decorative material while the plastic portion of the moulded part serves as a substrate for the decorative material and ensures the required mechanical stability.
In order to create complex structures of plastic or by utilizing plastic, it can be attempted to connect different moulded parts into a composite part with the aid of a plastic or plastics, respectively, wherein the composite part should also have a predetermined shape, if so required. However, the realization of such a composite part to be produced from different moulded parts may be problematic. For example, certain regions of the surface of at least one of the respective moulded parts could feature a material incapable of producing a chemical and/or physical bond that can be subjected to mechanical loads during the injection moulding or injection compression moulding or back compression moulding of a plastic. This limits the options for connecting one moulded part and another moulded part into a composite part by means of injection moulding or injection compression moulding or back compression moulding of plastic materials.
The invention aims to solve this problem. The invention is based on the objective of developing a process and a system for producing a composite part from a first moulded part and a second moulded part by means of injection moulding or injection compression moulding or back compression moulding of a plastic material in which the material or the materials of one of the moulded parts can be largely chosen independently of the material or the materials of the other moulded part. It should also be possible, in particular, to bond the two moulded parts to one another by means of the plastic if this plastic does not produce a bond that can be subjected to a load with one of the moulded parts on a boundary surface with this moulded part.
This objective is attained with a process with the characteristics of claim 1.
According to the invention, the following steps (a) to (c) are carried out in order to produce a composite part from a first moulded part and a second moulded part by means of injection moulding or injection compression moulding or back compression moulding of a plastic:
(a) producing the first moulded part from a first plastic by means of injection moulding or injection compression moulding or back compression moulding of the first plastic such that the first moulded part features at least one elevation on one side,
(b) removing a segment of the first moulded part by punching out, cutting out or otherwise removing the segment and arranging the second moulded part on the first moulded part instead of the removed segment of the first moulded part in such a way that the respective elevation is situated on an edge of the second moulded part, and
(c) applying a layer of a second plastic on the second moulded part on the side facing away from the first moulded part by means of injection moulding or injection compression moulding or back compression moulding of the second plastic, namely in such a way that both one surface of the elevation and the second moulded part are at least partially covered by the layer and the first plastic and the second plastic form a bond that holds the two moulded parts together in the region of the elevation.
Moulding tools suitable for the injection moulding or the injection compression moulding or the back compression moulding of plastics can be used for producing the first moulded part in accordance with step (a) and for applying the layer in accordance with a step (c). Consequently, such moulding tools may be constructed in accordance with known principles. In step (b), it is ensured that both moulded parts are suitably positioned relative to one another such that step (c) can be carried out. Step (b) can be carried out manually or automatically.
It is essential for the invention that the first moulded part is moulded during the injection moulding or the injection compression moulding or the back compression moulding of the first plastic such that it features at least one elevation on one side, i.e., a region of the surface that outwardly protrudes over adjacent regions of the surface. The first moulded part and the second moulded part are connected into a composite part in that the layer consisting of the second plastic is bonded to the elevation and at least partially covers the second moulded part on the side facing away from the first moulded part in accordance with step (c). The bond between the layer and the elevation on the surface of the first moulded part results in the second moulded part being at least mechanically held between the layer and the first moulded part due to the bond with the elevation. This ensures that the first moulded part and the second moulded part are also held together if the second plastic does not firmly adhere to the surface of the second moulded part or the second plastic is not chemically or physically bonded at the surface of the second moulded part.
In order to ensure that the elevation is accessible to the second plastic when the layer is applied during the injection moulding or the injection compression moulding or the back compression moulding in accordance with step (c), the second moulded part should be arranged on the first moulded part such that the respective elevation is situated on an edge of the second moulded part in accordance with step (b). Such an edge may consist, for example, of the edge of a hole extending through the second moulded part. However, the edge may also be realized on the periphery of the second moulded part, for example, on a recess or indentation in the surface of the second moulded part.
It is therefore possible to hold together the first moulded part and the second moulded part regardless of the choice of material used for the second moulded part. This is the reason why the invention makes it possible to largely choose the material of the second moulded part independently of the material of the first moulded part and the second plastic, respectively.
The bond between the first moulded part and the second moulded part can be realized in different ways.
For example, the second plastic may be chosen such that the connection between the first moulded part and the second moulded part is realized due to chemical bonds between the first plastic and the second plastic. The first plastic and the second plastic, for example, may be identical or have similar melting points if the two plastics are not identical. In these instances, the layer can be applied at a temperature at which the first plastic is softened or liquefied in at least a section of the elevation. The first plastic and the second plastic can mix on a boundary surface between the elevation and the layer under these prerequisites and be connected to one another by means of chemical and/or physical bonds. This type of connection is particularly stable and can be realized quite easily with respect to the process technology.
In another variation of the inventive process, the respective elevation can be realized in such a way in step (a) that it features at least one undercut and the layer is bonded to the elevation in the region of the undercut. In this case, the layer and the second moulded part are bonded to the elevation and therefore to the first moulded part by means of a mechanical connection in any case. This variation provides the advantage that the first moulded part and the second moulded part can also be connected into a composite part if the second plastic does not adhere to the first moulded part or if the second plastic cannot be chemically and/or physically bonded to the material of the first moulded part.
For example, this variation can also be utilized if the first plastic and the second plastic differ significantly with respect to their melting points (for example, if the first plastic has a much higher melting point than the second plastic such that the first plastic does not become soft or slightly melts when the layer consisting of the second plastic is applied).
The elevation of the first moulded part and the edge that is realized on the second moulded part and, according to step (b), positioned on the respective elevation can be optimized in accordance with different criteria and functionally adapted to one another, if so required.
The size of the surface of the elevation can be suitably varied in order to optimize the strength (i.e., the stability under mechanical loads) of the bond between the elevation and the layer consisting of the second plastic. The strength of this bond usually increases with the size of the boundary surface, at which the second plastic is in contact with the respective elevation. In this case, the second plastic does not have to completely cover the respective elevation. The elevation can also penetrate the layer consisting of the second plastic in such a way that the respective elevation is only in contact with the layer in the region of lateral surfaces and an upper part of the elevation respectively protrudes over the layer.
If the elevation needs to have a small cross-sectional surface for space reasons, the strength of the bond between the elevation and the layer can be optimized by choosing the height of the elevation and the thickness of the layer accordingly. According to one variation of the inventive process, it is therefore proposed that the respective elevation has such dimensions that it protrudes over the second moulded part on the respective edge. The height of the elevation is chosen such that the bond between the layer applied in step (c) and the respective elevation reaches a predetermined strength.
The shape of the respective elevation is not subject to any general restrictions and may be suitably chosen in dependence on the respective application. An elevation may have a round or angular cross-sectional surface and be realized, for example, in the form of a pin or a column or a cylinder or a cone or a rib.
According to another variation of the inventive process, the second moulded part features at least one hole or one recess and the hole or the recess forms the respective edge, wherein the second moulded part is arranged in such a way that the elevation protrudes into the hole or the recess or penetrates the hole or the recess. This variation provides the advantage that the respective elevation can be used for easily adjusting the second moulded part relative to the first moulded part while step (b) is carried out, i.e., before step (c): each elevation on the surface of the first moulded part merely needs to be positioned opposite of the corresponding hole or the corresponding recess in the second moulded part. This variation provides a particular advantage if the first moulded part features several elevations and the second moulded part features several corresponding holes or recesses, respectively: in this case, the second moulded part is already arranged relative to the first moulded part as required in step (b) due to the positions of the elevations and the positions of the corresponding holes or recesses.
The above-described variations provide other advantages in applications in which the second moulded part consists of a structure of a flexible material, for example, of textiles and/or a woven fabric and/or a braiding and/or a foil and/or a carpet fabric and/or decorative material. The elevations realized on the first moulded part and the holes or recesses produced in the second moulded part make it possible to adjust the flexible structure with respect to the elevations in step (b) and, if so required, to hold the flexible structure on the elevations in such a way that it is clamped between the elevations. In this case, the back injection moulding or back compression moulding of the second plastic in accordance with step (c) makes it possible to produce a composite part in which a section of the surface is lined with the flexible structure. The above-described method of adjusting the flexible structure on the elevations and clamping the flexible structure between the elevations provides significant advantages in the production of such composite parts: the quality of the surfaces is improved; the composite parts can be produced with greater accuracy and improved reproducibility.
Embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to various schematic drawings. In these drawings:
In a first step, the first moulded part 16 is produced from a first plastic 8 by means of a moulding tool 1 (
In this variation, the moulding tool 1 is used as an injection moulding tool. The first plastic 8 supplied through a supply line 7 is injected under high pressure into the mould cavity 5 of the closed moulding tool via a channel 6—in plasticized form (injection moulding polymer melt)—until the mould cavity 5 is completely filled. The first plastic 8 transforms into the solid state in the mould cavity 5 due to a suitable control of the operating conditions. Subsequently, the moulding tool 1 can be opened and the finished moulded part 10 can be removed.
According to
According to
The moulding tool 12 is used for connecting the moulded parts 10 and 15 into a composite part 30 with the aid of a second plastic 21. In this example, the moulding tool 12 is used as an injection moulding tool. The second plastic 21 may (but does not have to) be identical to the first plastic 8.
According to
According to
The second plastic 21 supplied through a supply line 7 is injected under high pressure into these clear recesses of the mould cavity 20 via a channel 6—in plasticized form (injection moulding polymer melt)—until the recesses are completely filled. A suitable control of the operating conditions ensures that the second plastic 21 transforms into the solid state in the mould cavity 20 and forms a layer 20′ that covers part of the second moulded part 15 and the elevations 11′.
In this context, it is assumed that the second plastic 21 is connected to the first plastic 8 by means of chemical and/or physical bonds in the region of the elevations 11′. The first moulded part 10 and the second moulded part 15 are connected into the composite part 30 in this fashion. Subsequently, the moulding tool 12 can be opened and the finished composite part 30 can be removed.
The composite part 30 produced in accordance with the inventive process is illustrated in
In a first step, the first moulded part 60 is produced from a structure 50 of a flexible material and a first plastic 8 by means of a moulding tool 40 (
Before the moulding tool 40 is closed, the structure 50 is placed against the wall of the first part 41 on the side of the mould cavity. According to
In the example shown, the moulding tool 40 is used as an injection moulding tool. The first plastic 8 supplied through a supply line 49 is injected under high pressure behind the structure 50 in the mould cavity 45 of the closed moulding tool 40—in plasticized form (injection moulding polymer melt)—until the mould cavity 45 is completely filled. A suitable control of the operating conditions ensures that the first plastic 8 transforms into the solid state in the mould cavity 45 and forms a layer 45′ that is bonded to the structure 50. Subsequently, the moulding tool 40 can be opened and the finished moulded part 60 can be removed.
In this case, the structure 50 forms a surface of the first moulded part 60 while the layer 45′ serves as a substrate for the structure 50 and provides the moulded part 60 with the required mechanical stability.
According to
A composite part 90 featuring a structure of a flexible material that differs from the structure 50 in a region of its surface should be produced of the moulded part 60 in additional processing steps.
As indicated in the
According to the invention, the second moulded part 80 can now be arranged on the thusly modified first moulded part 60 instead of the removed segment 60.1 and connected to the moulded part 60 by back injection moulding or back compression moulding of a second plastic.
The moulding tool 70 according to
The moulding tool 70 is divided into a first part 71 and a second part 72. The parts 71 and 72 can be moved relative to one another in order to open and close the moulding tool 70.
After removing the segment 60.1, the first moulded part 60 is placed into the mould cavity 75 in such a way that the structure 50 adjoins the wall of the first part 71 on the side of the mould cavity and is supported by elevations 86 in edge regions. The layer 45′ and the elevations 47′ are accessible from the mould cavity 75 under these conditions.
A structure of a flexible material is used as the moulded part 80. According to
The second moulded part 80 is arranged relative to the first moulded part 60 in such a way that the elevations 47′ protrude into corresponding holes 81 in the second moulded part 80. According to the definition of the invention, the second moulded part 80 therefore is arranged on the first moulded part 60 in this position such that the respective elevation 47′ is situated on an edge of the second moulded part 80.
According to
The second plastic 21 supplied through a supply line 49 is injected under high pressure into the clear recesses of the mould cavity 75 via a channel 76—in plasticized form (injection moulding polymer melt)—until the recesses are completely filled. A suitable control of the operating conditions ensures that the second plastic 21 transforms into the solid-state in the mould cavity 75 and forms a layer 75′ that covers one side of the second moulded part 80 and the elevations 47′.
In this context, it is assumed that the second plastic 21 is connected to the first plastic 8 by means of chemical and/or physical bonds in the region of the elevations 47′. The first moulded part 60 and the second moulded part 80 are connected into the composite part 90 in this fashion. Subsequently, the moulding tool 70 can be opened and the finished composite part 90 can be removed.
The composite part 90 produced in accordance with the inventive process is illustrated in
The embodiments illustrated in
The invention makes it possible to embed a variety of materials in composite parts by means of injection moulding or injection compression moulding or back compression moulding of a plastic material, e.g., metal and/or wood and/or other materials that cannot be connected to plastics by means of chemical and/or physical bonds.
All materials suitable for injection moulding or injection compression moulding or back compression moulding may be considered for use as plastics, for example, thermoplastic polymers such as polycarbonate (PC), ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene polymers) or polypropylene or thermoplastic rubbers, as well as thermosetting bulk moulding compounds such as, e.g., polyester resins, epoxy resins or polyurethane.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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04405684.4 | Nov 2004 | EP | regional |
This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/667,196, filed on May 24, 2007, which in turn is a national stage application of PCT/CH2005/000659 filed Nov. 8, 2005. The International Application under PCT article 21(2) was not published in English. This application also claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 of European Application No. 04405684.4 filed Nov. 8, 2004.
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 11667196 | May 2007 | US |
Child | 11805822 | May 2007 | US |