Moulding procedure for plastic-coated braided metal component uses induction heating to melt thermoplastic fibers during manufacture and recycling

摘要

The procedure consists of inserting a component (20) made from braided metal filaments and thermoplastic fibers in a mould cavity (12) and heating the metal by induction to melt the thermoplastic. The heat is then shut off to allow the plastic to cool and set, and the plastic coated component is then removed from the mould. A section of the braided component can be stretched or compressed to reduce or increase its diameter while it is being inserted in the mould, and during the heating and cooling stages it can be held against the walls of the mould cavity by a magnetic field, using electromagnets (15) for braiding of a magnetic material. The braided component can alternatively be made from plastic-coated metal filaments.