METHOD OF MANUFACTURING A COMPOSITE MATERIAL

摘要

A method of manufacturing a structural member includes preheating a plurality of fibers to a first temperature, moving the preheated fibers along an assembly line, applying a binder to at least one of the preheated fibers, providing a die shaped to receive the preheated fibers, wherein the die moves together with the preheated fibers along at least a portion of the assembly line, maintaining a temperature of the plurality of fibers at a temperature substantially similar to the first temperature, and compressing the plurality of fibers within the die while maintaining a temperature.

主权项

1. A method of manufacturing a structural member, the method comprising:
preheating a plurality of fibers to a first temperature; moving the preheated fibers along an assembly line; applying a binder to at least one of the preheated fibers, wherein when the binder is applied, the fibers are spaced apart and extend across a first area; providing a die having a first portion with a first diameter positioned to receive the preheated fibers and a second portion with a second diameter positioned downstream of the first portion, wherein the first diameter is greater than the second diameter and wherein the die is tapered between the first portion and the second portion; after applying the binder, guiding the plurality of fibers along the die; decreasing a distance between the plurality of fibers with the die, wherein after decreasing the distance between the plurality of fibers, the fibers extend across a second area that is smaller than the first area; after decreasing, maintaining the temperature of the plurality of fibers at a temperature substantially similar to the first temperature; while maintaining the temperature, shaping the plurality of fibers with a first shaping station; while maintaining the temperature, shaping the plurality of fibers with a second shaping station, spaced from the first shaping station; and while maintaining the temperature, shaping the plurality of fibers with a third shaping station, spaced from the first and second shaping stations.