초록 ▼

The specification of the instant invention discloses improvements in methods for making various types of mats of fiberous material. In particular, the improvements relate to methods for making continuous fiber glass strand mats using reciprocating strand feeders and a programmable motion controller

The specification of the instant invention discloses improvements in methods for making various types of mats of fiberous material. In particular, the improvements relate to methods for making continuous fiber glass strand mats using reciprocating strand feeders and a programmable motion controller to control both the rate of reciprocation and the rate at which strand is deposited from the feeders onto a moving conveyor so as to form mats of uniform density and thickness. Electric servomotors are used to reciprocate the feeders and also deposit strand therefrom. A closed-loop feedback circuit is used to accurately monitor and control the position of the feeders with respect to the conveyor as well as the rate of strand deposition. Methods for using the programmable motion controller described herein can increase the uniformity of needled, resin-impregnated, and uni-directional fiber glass mats.

대표청구항 ▼

In a method for making a mat of continuous fiber strands by reciprocating at least one strand feeder back and forth across the surface of a moving conveyor, said strand feeder being caused to traverse the width of said conveyor by a first electric motor, said feeder also drawing at least one strand

In a method for making a mat of continuous fiber strands by reciprocating at least one strand feeder back and forth across the surface of a moving conveyor, said strand feeder being caused to traverse the width of said conveyor by a first electric motor, said feeder also drawing at least one strand from a supply source and depositing it onto the surface of said conveyor by means of a second electric motor carried on said feeder, said supply source being a fiber glass bushing assembly issuing a plurality of individual streams of molten glass which are cooled and attenuated into individual glass fibers and subsequently gathered into at least one continuous strand of glass fibers, the improvement comprising: independently changing both the velocity profile with which said feeder is traversed across the width of said conveyor and the rate at which strand is attenuated, drawn, and advanced onto the surface of said conveyor as a function of the changing position of said strand feeder with respect to the width of said conveyor so as to attenuate individual fibers of substantially constant diameter and distribute the strand formed therefrom upon the surface of said conveyor, thereby forming a loose mate of glass fiber strand having substantially uniform thickness and density.