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Heated Vacuum Table

Heated table with vacuum equipment, heated by electrical power.

The thermoplastic technology at the IBK is based on process engineering like the vacuum consolidation, the vacuum molding and processes in a heated press. The development of these process technologies is extensively optimized. The emphasis of the research work today is under use of these process technologies in the combination of different reinforced and homogeneous qualities of thermoplastic material into new design methods. To limit the investment cost for consolidation and shaping plants to process continuous fiber reinforced thermoplastics, the research is concentrated on vacuum consolidation with a heated table.

The heated table consists of an electrical heating with single zone control to ensure a homogenous warming up of the table surface and for the controlling of the temperature distribution over the whole area. In the surface of the heated plate, channels for vacuum are integrated, which serve for the creation of a vacuum after the laminate lay-up and the vacuum foil are applied. An integrated cooling system permits the cooling down of the plant first with water vapour and after reaching the boiling temperature with cooling water.

Properties:

• max. temperature: 400 °C
• Working area: 1200 x 3000 mm (only limited by today’s configuration)

On this table flat plates or curved shapes can be heated and consolidated. For extremely curved surfaces, additional heating emitters or heating mats should be used.

The table can be used due to its work temperature both for consolidating CF-PEEK (400 °C) or for vacuum infusion with the process VARI and RTM6 (180 °C).

Due to the modular building method a simple change of size is possible to other dimensions by changing over or providing heating racks and substitution of the iron plate. Contrary to heated press and autoclaves thus large parts without furnace can be manufactured cost effective.