DE19733126A1 - Plastic film thermoforming and coating process and in-line process plant - Google Patents

Abstract

In a plastic film thermoforming process, the film(2) can be heated during transfer to the forming tool and/or during forming to maintain a prescribed temperature distribution. Also claimed is a process equipment including a carrier for a tool with a three-dimensionally profiled surface, an arrangement for drawing the film(2) onto the profiled surface and a film heater, at least part(16) of which moves with the film between the heating(6) and forming(7) stations.

Description

The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for thermal forms of plastic films, in particular a ver drive and a device for applying or laminating Plastic film cuts from z. B. plastic foams through z. B. gluing on in particular spatially contoured carriers parts.

Are laminated z. B. Interior parts of motor vehicles such as door sill trims, dashboards, glove compartment cover or the like. The lamination takes place automatically or semi-automatic laminating machines on laminate tools, which are also called carrier part holders. Known are so-called inline laminating systems in which the foils are cuts applied to the carrier part by means of vacuum and the Contour to be deformed accordingly. It is for the deformation required that the film be at a certain temperature is heated.

The heating station is in the known inline laminating systems spatially of the deformation station having the carrier part receptacle preceded so that the heating and deforming both spatially is carried out separately as well as shifted in time by the film cut from the heating station to the Ver form station transported and prepared there for shaping and deformed.  

The known inline laminating systems are particularly in Ver formation area large volume and very material-intensive and com complicated, u. a. because a so-called under table for Positioning of the tool can be precisely moved up and down must be driven and stored and the drive means and the Table itself require a lot of space.

The film cut preheated to a certain temperature experiences after leaving the heating station during the trans ports and before and during the deformation considerable heat loss that significantly affect the formability. This Depending on the film type, heat losses can be up to e.g. B. 15 ° C per se customer, with transport and preparation times of 6 within 8 seconds with reasonable means are. The heat losses are uncontrollable and cannot who is compensated by preheating to higher temperatures because the foils have only limited changes without changing their properties th temperature ranges can be treated. Particularly emp the more and more used TPO films react sensitively, because their heat capacity is relatively low.

There are also smaller so-called single-place lamination systems known in which a heater from the side in the Deformation station is arranged movable. The heating takes place in the forming station with retracted heating device at abge lowered under table from above and below at the same time in front of the ver to form. After heating up, the heating device moves out of the Deforming station and then after booting of the under table deformed. During the time of this drive out and starting up the film cut also experiences one significant heat loss, which is like the larger, above described inline laminating systems has a negative impact.

The object of the invention is to provide a method and an apparatus create heat losses with relatively simple means of film cuts before shaping and preferably also largely avoided during deformation.  

This task is accomplished by a process with the characteristics of Claim 1 and by a device with the features of Claim 14 solved.

Another object of the invention is to provide a simple and inexpensive device for thermal molding of plastic films.

This object is achieved by a device with the features of Claim 32 solved. Advantageous developments of the invention are marked in the subclaims.

The invention is illustrated in the following example with reference to the drawing explained in detail. They show schematically:

Fig. 1 is a laminating apparatus for the surface application of Kunstoffolienzuschnitten in side view;

Fig. 2 shows the deformation station of the Kaschiervor direction shown in Figure 1 in side view.

Fig. 3 shows an alternative embodiment of the Verformstation shown in Figure 2 in side view.

FIG. 4a to 4h, the laminating apparatus of Figure 1 during successive steps on respectively in the side view.

Fig. 5, the Verformstation of Figure 2 at an edge portion of a mold with a clamping frame and frame structure in a partial section.

FIG. 6 shows an arrangement of the terminal strips of the deformation station shown in FIG. 3 in partial section; and

Fig. 7 shows another terminal block in cross section.

A laminating device 1 is a thermoforming device with which a plastic film blank 2 is thermally shaped and applied to a spatially contoured carrier part 3 .

Such a laminating device 1 has a cutting station 5 , a heating station 6 and a shaping station 7 , which are arranged in a line in this order and form a so-called inline laminating system ( FIG. 1).

The laminating device 1 is also provided with a transport device for transporting the film blanks 2 in the transport direction 9 from the cutting station 5 , to the heating station 6 and to the deforming station 7 . The transport device (not shown) has two pairs of longitudinal clamping strips, each with an upper and a lower longitudinal clamping strip 10 , 11 . The longitudinal clamping strips 10 , 11 extend horizontally in the transport direction 9 , with one pair of the longitudinal clamping strips 10 , 11 being arranged on the right-hand side in the conveying direction 9 and the other pair 10 , 11 on the left-hand side of the work stations 5 to 7 . The pairs of longitudinal clamping strips 10 , 11 are arranged at the same height, so that a sheet cut between the longitudinal clamping strips 10 , 11 cut 2 extends in a horizontal plane and is arranged on a transport level 8 , on which the cut sheet 2 along the individual work stations 5 to 7 be promoted. The longitudinal clamping strips 10 , 11 are guided in rails (not shown) and are driven by means of a conveyor chain (not shown).

The cutting station is of a common design, which is why it is not is explained in more detail.

The heating station 6 and the deforming station 7 are arranged on a common frame base frame 13 , which has several short, vertical support posts 14 and horizontal side members 15 .

The heating station 6 is provided with an upper and lower Heizeinrich device 16 , 17 .

The heating devices 16 , 17 each have a horizontal frame 18 which is rectangular in plan view. The upper heating device 16 is located above and the lower heating device 17 below the transport level 8 . In the frame 18 , heating elements 19 are arranged , preferably distributed over the area spanned by the frame 18 . The surface area covered by the frame 18 and the heating elements 19 located therein corresponds at least to the surface of a plastic blank 2 . The heating elements 19 are preferably designed as infrared radiant heaters for short-wave infrared radiation.

One or more temperature sensor elements 20 , which preferably have an infrared sensor 21 , are used in the two heating devices 16 , 17 . The sensor elements 20 are with their temperature sensors 21 oriented pointing towards the transport level 8, so that they can exercise 22 a temperature in the range of a veau to TRANSPORTNI 8 facing Abtastkegels.

The lower heating device 17 is arranged on a lifting device 25 such that it can be raised and lowered. The lifting device 25 has a crank mechanism 27 for raising or lowering the lower heating device 17 , which consists of an eccentric disc 28 and a connecting rod 29 . The eccentric disc 28 is rotatably mounted about a horizontal axis 30 , which is arranged on the side member 15 of the base frame 13 . The connecting rod 29 is articulated with a crank bearing 31 on the eccentric 28 and a connecting rod bearing (not shown) on the frame 18 of the lower heater 17 .

On the side members 15 are two vertically upward he extending guide cylinder 33 , in each of which a piston rod 34 is slidably mounted. The piston rods 34 are connected at their upper ends to the frame 18 of the lower heating device 17 . The guided in the guide cylinders 33 piston rods 34 hold the base plate 18 when lifting or lowering in an exactly horizontal position.

The upper heating device 16 is arranged on a further lifting and moving device (not shown), so that the upper heating device 16 is raised or lowered in the region above the Transportni level 8 and in and opposite to the direction of transport 9 between the heating station 6 and the deformation station 7 is movable.

In the area of the heating station 6 , two pairs of cross terminal strips, each with superimposed, upper and lower cross terminal strips 36 , 37 are arranged. The transverse clamping strips 36 , 37 are each formed from an angular profile with a horizontal web 38 and a vertical clamping web 39 . The vertical clamping webs 39 each have a clamping edge 40 pointing in the direction of the transport level 8 . The clamping edges 40 of the pairs of transverse clamping strips 36 , 37 are arranged opposite one another, so that a film blank 2 can be clamped in between.

The lower cross terminal strips 37 are placed on the frame 18 of the unte ren heater 17 and attached thereto, so that they are moved up and down together with the lower heater 17 .

The upper cross terminal strips 36 are stationary with their clamping edges 40 at the level of the transport level 8 . The upper cross terminal strips 36 are structurally separate from the upper heating device 16 so that it can be raised independently of the upper cross terminal strips 36 and moved in the transport direction 9 .

The deformation station 7 has a tool carrier device 50 and above this an upper clamping frame 51 and a z. B. a knife, a cooling device and / or other conventional tool or machining devices carrying, serving as the upper table top frame structure 52 ( Fig. 1, 2).

The tool carrier device 50 , the clamping frame 51 and the frame structure 52 are surrounded by a frame-like machine frame 53 with vertical support columns 54 and far above the tool carrier device 50 arranged spanning crosshead carriers 55 .

The tool carrier device 50 is arranged stationary on a table 56 lying on the longitudinal beams 15 of the base frame 13 . On the under table top 56 , several vertical support columns 57 are provided, which, for. B. are designed as stud bolts. The support columns 57 are preferably mounted on a recess formed on the lower table plate 56 reinforcing strip 56 a. The support columns 57 carry a tool mounting base 58 , which is supported by support columns 57 . The tool base 58 has a horizontal platen 60 and all around the edge of the platen 60 , downward he extending side walls 61 . On the underside of the clamping plate 60 are formed in one piece vertically downwardly extending lugs 62 . The lugs 62 are each firmly connected to one of the support columns 57 . A vertically extending suction channel 63 is formed in the center of the tool mounting base 58 .

In the tool mounting base 58 temperature control channels 46 are introduced, which open at water connections 47 , at which tempered water can be pumped through the tool mounting base 58 into the temperature control channels 46 .

A molding tool 64 , which is also referred to as a carrier part receptacle, is seated on the tool mounting base 58 or its clamping plate 60 , since a carrier part 3 to be laminated can be placed on the molding tool 64 . The molding tool 64 is a spatial, solid casting with a contoured surface 65 , a peripheral side surface 66 a and a lower surface 66 b ( Fig. 5). The surface 65 has a contour which corresponds to the contour of the carrier part 3 to be laminated.

The molding tool 64 is flush with its peripheral side surface 66 a with the periphery 58 a of the tool base 58 .

The contoured surface 65 has at the edge a downwardly offset region 67 , on which the carrier part 3 usually does not rest and which is only used to hold a film protrusion of the plastic film blank 2 ( FIG. 5). At the outermost, on the peripheral side surface 66 a adjacent Randbe rich of the contoured surface 65 , it has a constant height all around.

In the molding tool 64 , a knife groove 68 arranged circumferentially on the molding tool 64 is introduced in the offset region 67 .

The outer contour of the mold 64 and the tool mounting base 58 have a rectangular shape.

On the lower surface 66 b, the molding tool 64 has a flat recess 69 , which serves as a suction chamber and into which suction channels 70 penetrate the molding tool vertically ( FIG. 2).

In the molding tool 64 and in the tool mounting base 58 , several pairs of aligned holes are made, in each of which fastening bolts 72 and ejection devices 73 are arranged. The mold 64 is connected to the Befestigungsbol zen at which it transmitted Werkzeugaufspannsockel fixed 72 58, wherein the mold 64 and the supporting it toolholders tightening substrate 58 form a stationary tool unit.

This tool unit 64, 59 is of an upwardly open preliminary blowing box 75 surrounded having a bottom wall 76, and and having at margins peripherally to the bottom wall 76 from the bottom wall 76 perpendicularly upwardly extending side walls 77, namely, narrow side walls 77 a and longitudinal side walls 77 b (Figure . 2).

The upward-pointing, free edges 78 of the side walls 77 act as clamping edges 78 , as will be explained in more detail below. Holes 79 are made in the bottom wall 76 , through which one of the support columns 57 extends in a suitable manner. The holes 79 are sealed with a sealing ring 80 gas-tight against the support columns 57 .

On the narrow side walls 77 horizontally projecting holding plates 82 are arranged on the outside, approximately at 2/3 of their height, which preferably each have at least one vertically downwardly extending, for. B. triangular, fixed to the side walls 77 support plate 83 are secured.

Lifting devices 85 engage under the holding plates 82 of the pre-blow box 75 . Such a lifting device 85 consists of a piston-cylinder unit 86 and a piston rod 87 . The Hubzy cylinders are perpendicular to the reinforcing bar 56 a of the horizontal under table top 56 .

In a starting position ( FIGS. 1, 2), the pre-blow box 75 sits with its bottom wall 76 on leveling centering blocks 89 , which are arranged on the under-table plate 56 . The maxi male stroke of the lifting device 85 is at least so large that the pre-blow box 75 with its clamping edges 78 on the Transportni veau 8 , on which the film blanks 2 between the individual NEN work stations 5 to 7 can be raised. When raising or lowering the pre-blow box 75, the side walls 77 slide approximately form-fittingly on the periphery 58 a, the tool unit 64 , 59 not being moved.

The arranged on the tool carrier device 50 Spannrah men 51 comprises four arranged in a square clamping webs, namely two running parallel to the conveying direction 9 longitudinal clamping studs 91 and two transversely to the conveying direction 9 arranged transverse clamping webs 92nd The clamping webs 91 , 92 each form a clamping edge 94 with their downward-pointing edges. The clamping edges 94 of the clamping frame 51 are arranged in vertical alignment over the clamping edges 78 of the pre-blow box 75 , so that the rectangular clamping frame profiles defined by the clamping webs 91 , 92 or by the clamping edges 78 match.

In the clamping edges 78 of the blow box 75 are z as Fixierele elements. B. small cone tips 93 or pointed strips or the same and on the clamping edges 91 , 92 of the clamping frame 51 cor responding fixing recesses, for. B. in the form of conical recesses 95 GE ( Fig. 5).

At the cross clamps 92 horizontal holding strips 96 are attached on the outside, which are supported by downwardly extending, arranged on the cross clamps 92 , triangular support plates 97 th. With the holding plates 96 of the clamping is frame (not shown) at a further lifting device 51 is arranged with which the clamping frame 51 is lowered until it rests its clamping edge 94 on the clamping edges 78 of the Vorblaskastens 75 and at least increased to a level above the TRANSPORTNI veaus 8 can.

The frame structure 52 has four frame webs 99 arranged in a rectangle. The frame webs 99 have an inner and an outer side surface 100 , 101 ( FIG. 5) and an upper and lower end surface 102 , 103 . A flat, step-shaped recess 104 is formed on the inner side surface 100 in the region of the lower end surface 103 . In the area of the recess 104 , threaded bores 105 are made in the frame webs 99 transversely to the side surfaces 100 , 101 . The edge between the outer side surfaces 101 and the lower side surface 103 of the frame webs 99 are chamfered.

Cutting knives 107 are inserted in the recess 104 in the frame webs 99 . The cutting knives 107 consist of thin-walled, elongated knife plates, each of which extends over the entire length of the frame webs 99 . The cutting blades 107 are fastened to the frame webs 99 by means of screws 108 , which pass through holes 109 in the cutting blades 107 and are inserted into the threaded bores 105 . The cutting knives 107 project downward on the frame webs 99 and have a cutting edge 110 pointing downward at their projection.

On the frame webs 99 , 103 support strips 112 are arranged on their upper end faces, which are attached to an upper table plate 113 . The upper table top 113 is suspended by means of two guide rods 114 vertically displaceably on the cross-main beam 55 of the machine frame of the deforming station 7 , whereby the frame construction 52 can be lowered so far by a further lifting device (not shown) that the cutting knife 107 in the groove 68 of the mold 64 immerse.

A deformation station 7 of a further exemplary embodiment of the laminating device according to the invention is shown in FIGS . 3 and 6.

This deforming station is essentially the same as the one above written deformation station; accordingly, the parts are the same provided with the same reference numerals.

This further deformation station 7 has instead of the clamping frame 51 clamping strips 120 , which are on the outside on the side walls 77 of the pre-blow box 75 adjacent to the clamping edges 78 angeord net.

The terminal strips 120 have clamping webs 126 which are arranged with hinge joint joints 122 on the outside of the side walls 77 . The hinge joints 122 consist of first and second joint parts 123 , 124 and in each case a pivot axis 125 passing through the joint parts 123 , 124 . The first joint parts 123 are attached to the outside of the side walls 77 and the second joint parts 124 are connected to one of the clamping webs 126 . The clamping webs 126 extend over the entire length of the side walls 77 of the pre-blow box 75 and have two broad side faces 127 a, 127 b and two elongated end faces 128 a, 128 b.

The second, pivotable hinge parts 124 are connected to the clamping webs 126 on one of the broad side surfaces 127 a, so that when the hinge joint 122 is extended, the clamping webs 126 are arranged parallely to the side walls 77 , the pivot axes 125 being approximately centered between the side walls 77 and the Clamping bars 126 are located ( Fig. 3).

A distance d between the center of the pivot axes 125 and the inner surface of the side walls 77 corresponds to half the width b of the clamping webs 126 measured from the end face 128a to the vertical, which stands on the clamping web 126 and passes through the center of the pivot axis 125 ( FIG. 3).

The first hinge parts 123 are arranged on the side walls 77 such that the center of the pivot axes 125 is offset relative to the clamping edges 78 of the side walls 77 by a distance h which is a distance H between the center point of the pivot axes 125 and the one with the second Joint parts 124 connected broad side surfaces 127 a corresponds to the clamping webs 126 ( Fig. 6)
In an angled position of the hinge joint 122 , the second joint parts 124 are angled upward at a right angle with respect to the first joint parts 123 and the clamping webs 126 are arranged horizontally above the axes 125 , so that they each have an adjacent clamping region 128 a facing the end face 128 of the molding tool 64 130 of the broad side surface 127 a rest on the clamping edges 78 of the side walls 77 . In the clamping area 130 are corresponding to the fixing elements, for. B. to the cone tips 93 of the clamping edges 78 corresponding Fixierausneh tion, such as conical recesses 133 , introduced.

A preferred embodiment of the longitudinal clamping strips 10 , 11 , which convey the film blank 2 between the individual work stations 5 to 7 , is shown in cross section in FIG. 7.

These longitudinal clamping strip 10 is similar to the terminal block 120 having a clamping web 126 and a hinge 122 ausgebil det. The hinge joint 122 has first and second joint parts 123 , 124 which can be pivoted about a pivot axis 125 .

The second joint part 124 is attached to a broad side surface 127 a of the clamping web 126 . The first joint part 123 is disposed on a supporting strip 135, which has approximately the same width as the clamping web 126, the hinge 122 is between the clamping web 126 and the carrier web is arranged 135, that the two webs 126, 135 par when the joint 122 are arranged allel to each other, their end faces 128 a, 128 b and 136 a, 136 b being in approximately vertical alignment. A further clamping web 138 is arranged on a broad side surface 137 a of the supporting web 135 , on which the first joint part 123 is attached. The clamping web 138 has two broad side surfaces 139 a, 139 b and two end surfaces 140 a, 140 b.

The clamping web 138 is with one of its end faces 140 b on the broad side surface 137 of the support strip 135 adjacent to its distant end wall 136 a from the first joint part 123 and is perpendicular to the support web 135 .

The width of the clamping web 138 corresponds approximately to the length of the extended hinge joint 122 , so that when the hinge joint 122 is extended, the clamping web 126 with its broad side surface 127 a, and in particular a narrow, at the distal end surface 120 a located from the second Ge part 124 an adjacent clamping region 130 rests on the end face 140 a of the clamping web 138 . The clamping region 130 and the end face 140 a thus act as clamping edges, between which a film blank 2 can be clamped. Corresponding fixing elements can be provided on the clamping area 130 and on the end face 140 a.

On the broad side surface facing away from the joint 122 b a spring strip 142 is formed diametrically opposite the clamping web 138 , which can be inserted into a groove 143 inserted into an edge 78 of one of the longitudinal side walls 77 b of the pre-blow box 75 . This plug connection between the longitudinal clamp 10 , 11 and the two longitudinal side walls 77 b ensures a gas-tight connection.

This special embodiment of the longitudinal clamping strips 10 , 11 allows effective use of the film blanks, since the longitudinal clamping strips 10 , 11 in the cutting station 5 take the film cut 2 and hold them until the molding process is completed. A transfer to a tenter or the like in the forming station is not necessary, as a result of which the film overhang of the film blank 2 clamped on the pre-blow box 75 is substantially reduced.

The function of the laminating device according to the invention will be explained with reference to the working steps of the laminating device according to the first exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS . 4a to 4h.

In the cutting station 5 of the laminating device 1 according to the invention, a film blank 2 is cut with a predetermined shape. A TPO foam film (TPO = thermal polyolefins) is often used as the film material. There are a number of other common sheet materials, such as. B. PVC.

The film blank 2 is clamped in the cutting station 5 between the two pairs of longitudinal terminal strips 10 , 11 ( FIG. 4a).

The longitudinal terminal strips 10 , 11 are transported together with the clamped film blank 2 in the transport direction 9 to the heating station 6 , the film blank on the trans port level 8 between the cross terminal strips 36 , 37 and between the upper and lower heating devices 16 , 17 is arranged. The stationary upper transverse clamping strips 36 are already at the transport level 8 when the foil blank 2 is inserted with their clamping edges 40 and the upper heating device 16 lies on the transverse clamping strips 36 .

The lower heating device 17 and the lower cross clamping strips 37 arranged thereon are raised by means of the lifting device 25 until the clamping edges 40 of the lower cross clamping strips 37 abut against the clamping edges 40 of the upper cross clamping strips 36 and the film blank 2 is clamped between the clamping edges 40 ( FIG . 4b).

The foil blank 2 clamped on four sides by the transverse clamping strips 36 , 37 and by the longitudinal clamping strips 10 , 11 is heated by means of the heating elements 19 from above as well as from below. The heating elements 19 preferably emit a short-wave infrared radiation. The temperature sensor elements 20 used in the upper and lower heating devices 16 , 17 receive the thermal radiation emitted by the film blank 2 and convert it into a temperature value which represents the temperature of the film portion 2 . On the basis of this temperature value, the heating process is regulated and the film blank 2 to a predetermined temperature of z. B. heated from 190 ° C to 200 ° C.

After the heating phase, the lower heating device 17 is lowered again together with the lower transverse clamping strips 37 and the heated film blank 2 and the upper heating device 16 are conveyed into the shaping station 7 in the transport direction 9 .

The film blank 2 is clamped on the transport level 8 between the clamping edges 78 , 94 of the pre-blow box 75 and the clamping frame 51 ( FIG. 4c). For this purpose, the clamping frame 51 is arranged with its clamping edges 94 from above onto the film blank 2 and the pre-blow box 75 is raised by the lifting device 85 and pressed with its clamping edges 78 from below against the film blank 2 . The clamping edges 78 , 94 of the pre-blow box 75 or the clamping frame 51 are arranged within the longitudinal clamping strips 10 , 11 . After clamping the film blank 2 between the clamping frame 51 and the pre-blow box 75 , the longitudinal clamping strips 10 , 11 are loosened and moved back to the cutting station 5 for receiving another film blank 2 .

During the transport of the film blank 2 from the heating station 6 to the forming station 7 and / or during the dwell time of the film blank 2 in the heating station 7 , the film blank 2 is heated by the upper heating device 16 . With the temperature sensor element 20 , the temperature of the film blank 2 is detected and the heating elements 19 are controlled in a closed control loop so that the film blank 2 is kept at the most constant temperature possible.

The temperature of the film blank 2 is adjustable with a Regelein direction such that the film blank 2 has a uniform temperature distribution over its entire surface or that zones or areas are heated to different temperatures. Preferably, the zones which form an elevation or a depression during the later molding are heated to a higher temperature than the regions which are deformed less strongly.

The film blank 2 is thus arranged above the mold 64 , on which a carrier part 3 to be laminated rests of plastic. The carrier part 3 is for example a thermoformed plastic part, which usually has punched holes. In the area of these holes, the suction channels 70 of the mold 64 are arranged.

In the blow box 75 , a negative pressure of z. B. 0.9 bar generated by means of a vacuum pump which continues through the suction channel 63 , through the suction chamber 69 , through the suction channels 70 and through the holes in the carrier part 3 into the space between the carrier part 3 and the heated, clamped film blank 2 ( Fig. 2). Due to this negative pressure, the film of the film blank 2 is sucked down onto the surface 65 of the molding tool 64 , wherein it is stretched in an arcuate cross-section ( FIG. 4d). The film is stretched or stretched, which increases its tear strength.

The film blank 2 is then lowered by lowering the Vorblaska least 75 and the tensioning frame 51 onto the carrier part 3 and laminated onto the carrier part 3 bubble-free by means of the negative pressure.

When it is lowered, the sheet blank 2 , which is curved downward, first comes into contact with the contoured surface 65 with its central region and is then applied radially outward from this central region to the surface 65 .

The clamping edges 78 , 94 are lowered with the film blank 2 clamped in between at least to the level of the marginal, offset region 67 of the molding tool 64 . The film cut 2 is hereby drawn into the area below the carrier part 3 which can protrude marginally on the contoured surface 65 , the film cut 2 nestling from above and from the side onto this lateral projection of the carrier part 3 .

Preferably, the film blank 2 is also heated while being laminated onto the carrier part 3 by the upper heating device 16 located above it, so that the temperature distribution of the film blank 2 has been distributed equally since the first heating in the heating station 6 until the final application on the molding tool 64 or is kept constant over time with zonal different temperature values. As a result, ideal temperature conditions are achieved during shaping, so that the film blank can be shaped with low stress. A low-tension shaped film blank can be laminated with less adhesive. Such a thin adhesive film has no influence on the contour of the laminated molding and also brings about a considerable saving in adhesive.

Mach the application of the film blank 2 , the upper heating device 16 is moved back into the heating station 6 . During the next work cycle, the frame construction 52 is lowered in the deforming station 7 until the cutting blades 107 protrude with their cutting edges 110 into the groove 68 , a film excess of the film 2 laminated onto the carrier part 3 being separated ( FIGS. 4g, 5).

Approximately simultaneously with the lowering of the frame structure 52 , a further film cut is cut in the cutting station 5 , clamped between the longitudinal clamping strips 10 , 11 and conveyed into the heating station 6 ( FIG. 4g).

To eject the laminated molding 2 , 3 , the Spannrah men 51 and the frame structure 52 is raised by the molding tool 64 and moved into the upper region of the machine frame 53 of the molding station 7 ( FIG. 4h). The laminated molded part 2 , 3 is ejected by means of the ejection devices 73 . The upper clamping frame 51 is then lowered again with its clamping edges 94 to the transport level 8 ( FIG. 4b) and approximately at the same time as the clamping frame 51 is raised and lowered and the laminated molded part 2 , 3 is ejected, the heating process takes place for heating the further film cut in the heating station 6 ( Fig. 4h). This film cut is laminated to another carrier part with the repeated cyclically following work cycles, which are shown in FIGS . 4b to 4h.

The inventive method is carried out in the Fig. 3 Darge presented second embodiment in an identical manner, only the opening and closing of the tenter frame 51 by opening and closing the arranged on the blow box 75 clamping bars 120 is replaced.

The method according to the invention has a conventional Process for laminating foils onto carrier parts is essential advantages because during lamination or up to a moment shortly before the film is laminated onto the Carrier part does not cool the film, but on a vorbe correct, exactly set temperature value held on is laminated onto the carrier part. This will make the quality of the laminated molding significantly increased because of the film a uniform and constant over the entire area exactly set temperature for lamination and neither overheating impairing the quality of the film takes place, the film cools to a temperature value, at which only covers them up with considerable quality losses can be.

The method according to the invention is described above using an inline Laminating device described. Within the scope of the invention also an application of the method according to the invention rens in a so-called single-place molding device or one place laminating device. Traditionally this is used to mold de film in a single station molding device on a predetermined clamped th work level, then by means of a heating device tion heated from above and below, with the heater after removed the heating of the foil and that on a table arranged molding tool is raised to the to be molded Foil on the contoured surface of the mold move. Compared to this conventional method, the inventive method an upper heater according to the Leave the heating process in the single-station molding device to complete the Keep film at a constant mold temperature. The exact tempe rier film is then, as in the embodiment described above Example, by lowering the same on the contoured Surface of the mold pulled up.  

The device according to the invention is particularly popular Sheer of thin plastic films on carrier parts suitable because the plastic films with a predetermined laminating temperature on the Carrier part can be pulled up, in which they both a have excellent plasticity as well as sufficient ther are mixed activated in order to adhere to the carrier part.

However, a method or is also within the scope of the invention a device for molding contoured plastic parts from a plastic film without the plastic film is applied to a previously manufactured carrier part.

The stationary arrangement of the tool means a considerable amount mechanical simplification compared to conventional molding machines tions, since only the essential in comparison to the mold Lich lighter blow box must be moved. This is through the integral or at least gas-tightly connectable design of the Pre-blow box reached with the tensioning device. This will achieved an abrupt simplification of the drive means.

The invention is explained above using an exemplary embodiment, in which the molding tool is stationary on an under table te is arranged. It goes without saying within the scope of the invention Lich also an embodiment in which the mold statio när is arranged on the top table, then the instep frame and / or the frame structure carrying the cutting knives tion arranged below the mold and in correspond be moved towards the mold. Same is a horizontal arrangement of the deformation according to the invention station possible. It is essential for the invention that the front Blow box with the heated film across the contoured upper Surface of the mold is movable so that the film on the contoured surface is drawn up.

Claims (50)

1. Process for thermal molding, in particular by deep drawing, of plastic films, the plastic film

• - first heated to a predetermined temperature,
• - then transported to a mold,
• - molded on the mold in a heated state and
• - After cooling is removed from the mold, characterized in that the plastic film during the transport to the mold and / or is heated during the molding to maintain a predetermined temperature distribution.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized, that the temperature distribution of the plastic film so is set to unite over the entire area takes a constant temperature value. 3. The method according to claim 1, characterized, that the temperature distribution of the plastic film zones un different temperature. 4. The method according to one or more of claims 1 to 3, characterized, that the plastic film is heated and heated by radiation becomes.   5. The method according to one or more of claims 1 to 4, characterized, that the temperature of the plastic film during transportation tion to the mold and / or measured during molding and is regulated. 6. The method according to one or more of claims 1 to 5, characterized, that the film when molding by applying vacuum in Area between the film and the mold on the Mold is pulled and during the drawing and / or Molding on the mold, especially with IR emitters is heated from above the mold. 7. The method according to one or more of claims 1 to 6, characterized, that the plastic film for molding on a on the molding overlying support part is applied. 8. The method according to one or more of claims 1 to 7, characterized, that the film is formed in an in-line plant in which the film in a heating station to a predetermined temperature heated and from the heating station to a remote location Deforming station is transported. 9. The method according to one or more of claims 1 to 8, characterized, that the film is heated in a single-station mold Molding tool moves and deforms while being heated further becomes. 10. The method according to one or more of claims 1 to 9, characterized, that a TPO foam film is used as the plastic film.   11. The method according to one or more of claims 1 to 10, characterized, that the film in a cutting station before heating is cut to a film cut. 12. The method according to one or more of claims 1 to 11, characterized, that the plastic film as it moves to the mold and / or during molding at a temperature of 170 ° C to 210 ° C, preferably at a temperature of 190 ° C is kept up to 200 ° C. 13. The method according to one or more of claims 1 to 12, characterized, that the plastic film before opening and / or when opening pull on the mold. 14. Device for the thermal molding of plastic films, in particular for carrying out the method according to one or more of claims 1 to 13, with

• a heating device for heating the plastic film to a predetermined temperature,
• - A mold carrier device having a molding tool ( 64 ) with a contoured surface ( 65 ) and means for pulling the heated plastic film on the contoured surface ( 65 ) of the mold ( 64 ), characterized in that it has a heating device ( 16 ) , which is positioned so that it heats the plastic film before and / or during molding.

15. The apparatus according to claim 14, characterized in that at least one actively heating part ( 16 ) of the Heizein direction to the contoured, the plastic film-bearing surface ( 65 ) of the mold ( 64 ) is arranged opposite to position and the means for pulling the plastic film on the Contoured surface ( 65 ) preferably have a clamping device ( 51 , 75 ) with which the plastic film to be molded can be positioned between the molding tool ( 64 ) and the heating device ( 16 ) and heated by means of the heating device ( 16 ). 16. The apparatus according to claim 14 and / or 15, characterized by a heating station ( 6 ) and a deforming station ( 7 ), which are arranged in this order, preferably in a line, wherein a transport device ( 10 , 11 ) for conveying one in a cutting station ( 5 ) cut film blank ( 2 ), in particular at a constant transport level ( 8 ), from the heating station ( 6 ) to the deforming station ( 7 ) is provided, with an actively heating part ( 16 ) of the heating station ( 6 ) together with the transport device ( 10 , 11 ) is arranged to be movable. 17. The apparatus according to claim 16, characterized in that the transport device has two pairs of longitudinal clamping strips, each with an upper and lower longitudinal clamping strip ( 10 , 11 ) which extend horizontally in the transport direction ( 9 ), wherein a pair of the longitudinal clamping strips ( 10 , 11 ) in the conveying direction ( 9 ) on the right-hand side and the other pair ( 10 , 11 ) on the left-hand side of the workstations ( 5 to 7 ) are arranged. 18. The apparatus according to claim 17, characterized in that the longitudinal clamping strips ( 10 , 11 ) each have a clamping web ( 126 ) and a hinge joint ( 122 ) with which the clamping webs ( 126 ) are each pivotally attached to a support web ( 135 ), wherein on the support web ( 135 ) a further clamping web ( 138 ) is arranged, on which the clamping web ( 126 ) by means of a pivoting movement around the hinge kidney joint ( 122 ) for clamping fixation of the film cut ( 2 ) can be applied. 19. The apparatus according to claim 18, characterized in that the clamping web ( 126 ) and the support web ( 135 ) have approximately the same width and are arranged on the hinge joint ( 122 ) that the two webs ( 126 , 135 ) with the hinge joint extended ( 122 ) are arranged approximately parallel to each other. 20. The apparatus according to claim 18 and / or 19, characterized in that the length of the extended hinge joint ( 122 ) corresponds approximately to the width of the clamping web ( 138 ) arranged on the supporting web ( 135 ). 21. The device according to one or more of claims 17 to 20, characterized in that the longitudinal terminal strips ( 10 , 11 ) devices such. B. have a female connector ( 142 ) for forming a preferably gas-tight connection with the longitudinal side walls ( 77 b) of the pre-blow box ( 75 ). 22. The device according to one or more of claims 16 to 21, characterized in that the heating station ( 6 ) has an upper and lower heating device ( 16 , 17 ), the upper heating device ( 16 ) above and the lower heating device ( 17th ) is below the transport level ( 8 ) and the upper heating device ( 16 ) from the heating station ( 6 ) to the deforming station ( 7 ) is movable. 23. The device according to claim 22, characterized in that the two heating devices ( 16 , 17 ) each have heating elements ( 19 ) which cover at least one surface area which corresponds to the surface of the plastic film blank ( 2 ). 24. The device according to claim 23, characterized in that the heating elements ( 19 ) are designed as infrared radiant heaters, in particular for short-wave infrared radiation. 25. The device according to one or more of claims 22 to 24, characterized in that the heating device ( 16 , 17 ) each have a temperature sensor element ( 20 ), which preferably has an infrared sensor ( 21 ) for scanning the temperature of the film section ( 2 ) includes. 26. The device according to one or more of claims 22 to 25, characterized in that the lower heating device ( 17 ) on a Hubeinrich device ( 25 ) is arranged raised and lowered. 27. The device according to one or more of claims 22 to 26, characterized in that the upper heating device ( 16 ) on a lifting and Ver sliding device is arranged so that the upper heating device ( 16 ) above the transport level ( 8 ) ben raised or lowered and in the transport direction ( 9 ) and ent against the transport direction ( 9 ) between the heating station ( 6 ) and the forming station ( 7 ) can be moved. 28. The device according to one or more of claims 16 to 27, characterized in that in the area of the heating station ( 6 ) two pairs of cross clamps, each with superimposed, upper and lower ren cross clamp strips ( 36 , 37 ) are arranged, each one for Transport level ( 8 ) showing clamping edge ( 40 ), between which a film blank ( 2 ) can be clamped. 29. The device according to claim 28, characterized in that the lower cross terminal strips ( 37 ) on the lower heating device ( 17 ) are placed and attached thereto, so that they can be moved up and down together with this. 30. The device according to claim 28 and / or 29, characterized in that the upper cross terminal strips ( 36 ) are structurally separate from the upper heating device ( 16 ). 31. The device according to claim 30, characterized in that the upper cross terminal strips ( 36 ) with their clamping edges ( 40 ) at the level of the transport level ( 8 ) are angeord net. 32. Device for the thermal molding of plastic films, in particular according to one or more of claims 14 to 31, with

• - A molding tool ( 64 ), which has a contoured upper surface ( 65 ), on which a plastic film blank ( 2 ) to be molded can be pulled to form it,
• a clamping device for clamping the plastic film blank ( 2 ) to be formed and arranging it opposite to the contoured surface ( 65 ),
• - Means for applying a negative pressure in the area between the plastic film blank ( 2 ) and the contoured surface ( 65 ) of the molding tool ( 64 ), characterized in that
  that the molding tool ( 64 ) is arranged stationary,
  a the mold ( 64 ) receiving pre-blow box ( 75 ) is provided, which has a bottom wall ( 76 ) and on the Bo denwandung ( 76 ) attached side walls ( 77 ) which surround the mold ( 64 ) at the edges, z. B. form fit, and have at their edges from the bottom wall ( 76 ) distant clamping elements ( 78 ), the clamping elements ( 78 ) are elements of the clamping device and the clamping device means for clamping the plastic film blank ( 2 ) on the Vorblaska most ( 75 ), and
  the pre-blow box ( 75 ) with its clamping elements ( 78 ) for receiving the film blank ( 2 ) over the contoured surface ( 65 ) and for applying the plastic lien cutting ( 2 ) on the contoured surface ( 65 ) is arranged to be movable back again.

33. Apparatus according to claim 32, characterized in that the means for clamping the plastic film on the clamping edges ( 78 ) of the pre-blow box ( 75 ) have a clamping frame ( 51 ) which is provided with clamping edges ( 94 ) which form a clamping frame profile that with a clamping frame profile of the clamping edges ( 78 ) of the pre-blow box ( 75 ) matches, so that the clamping edges ( 78 , 94 ) of the pre-blow box ( 75 ) and the tenter frame ( 51 ) for clamping a film cut ( 2 ) can cooperate. 34. Apparatus according to claim 33, characterized in that the clamping frame ( 51 ) is arranged horizontally and on a lifting device for lifting or lowering. 35. Apparatus according to claim 32, characterized in that on the outside on the side walls ( 77 ) of the Vorblaska least ( 75 ) adjacent to the clamping edges ( 78 ) clamping strips ( 120 ) are arranged, which have a clamping web ( 126 ) and a hinge joint ( 122 ) have a clamping area ( 130 ) on the clamping edges ( 78 ) of the pre-blow box ( 75 ) for clamping a film blank ( 2 ) can be folded. 36. Apparatus according to claim 35, characterized in that the hinge joints ( 122 ) each consist of a first and a second joint part ( 123 , 124 ) each having a pivot axis ( 125 ) passing through the joint parts ( 123 , 124 ), the first joint parts ( 123 ) attached to the outer side of the side walls ( 77 ) of the pre-blow box ( 75 ) and the second joint parts ( 124 ) are each connected to the clamping web ( 126 ). 37. Apparatus according to claim 36, characterized in that a distance (d) between a center of the pivot axes ( 125 ) and the inside of the side walls ( 77 ) about half the width (b) of the clamping webs ( 126 ) measured from the end face ( 128 a) to the vertical, which stands on the clamping web ( 126 ) and goes through the center of the pivot axis ( 125 ). 38. Apparatus according to claim 36 and / or 37, characterized in that the first joint parts ( 123 ) are arranged on the Seitenwan applications ( 77 ) that the center of the pivot axes ( 125 ) relative to the clamping edges ( 78 ) of the side walls ( 77 ) is a ver (h) down, which corresponds to the distance (H) between the center of the pivot axes ( 125 ) and one of the second joint parts ( 124 ) connected broad side surfaces ( 127 ) of the clamping webs ( 126 ). 39. Device according to one or more of claims 32 to 38, characterized in that the pre-blow box ( 75 ) is connected to a lifting device ( 85 ) for raising or lowering the pre-blowing box ( 75 ), the lifting device ( 85 ) having at least one lifting path has, so that the pre-blow box ( 75 ) with its clamping edges ( 78 ) to a transport level ( 8 ) on which a film blank ( 2 ) is conveyed into the forming station ( 7 ), can be raised and below the edge level of the contoured surface ( 65 ) of the molding tool ( 64 ) can be lowered. 40. Device according to one or more of claims 32 to 39, characterized in that the means for applying a vacuum in the Vorblaska most ( 75 ) have a vacuum pump. 41. Device according to one or more of claims 15 to 40, characterized in that the molding tool ( 64 ) rests on a tool mounting base ( 58 ). 42. Apparatus according to claim 41, characterized in that the tool mounting base ( 58 ) is arranged on vertical support columns ( 57 ) which stand on a table top ( 56 ) and holes ( 79 ) in the bottom wall ( 76 ) of the pre-blow box ( 75 ) reach out. 43. Apparatus according to claim 41 and / or 42, characterized in that the tool mounting base ( 58 ) has a horizontal clamping plate ( 60 ) and at the edge of the mounting plate ( 60 ) umlau fend, downwardly extending side walls ( 61 ), wherein at formed on the underside of the platen ( 60 ) are a plurality of vertically downwardly extending lugs ( 62 ), each of which is firmly connected to one of the support columns ( 57 ). 44. Apparatus according to claim 43, characterized in that on the tool mounting base ( 58 ), an intake duct ( 63 ) is formed so that it penetrates vertically. 45. Device according to one or more of claims 36 to 39, characterized in that in the tool mounting base ( 58 ) tempering channels ( 46 ) are introduced, which open at water connections ( 47 ). 46. Device according to one or more of claims 41 to 45, characterized in that the contoured surface ( 65 ) of the molding tool ( 64 ) has a stepped area ( 67 ) at the edge, on which a knife on the molding tool ( 64 ) is arranged all the way round ( 68 ) is introduced. 47. Device according to one or more of claims 15 to 46, characterized in that the molding tool ( 64 ) has a lower surface ( 66 ) on which a flat recess ( 69 ) is made, which serves as a suction chamber and into which the molding tool ( 64 ) vertically penetrating intake channels ( 70 ) open. 48. Device according to one or more of claims 41 to 47, characterized in that in the molding tool ( 64 ) and the tool mounting base ( 58 ) several pairs of aligned holes are made, in which fastening bolts ( 72 ) and / or ejecting devices ( 73 ) are arranged. 49. Device according to one or more of claims 15 to 48, characterized in that a frame structure ( 52 ) is provided, the frame menstege ( 99 ), on each of which a Schneidmes water ( 107 ) is arranged, the cutting knife ( 107 ) have a cutting edge ( 110 ) pointing in the direction of the molding tool ( 64 ) and can be lowered onto the molding tool by means of a lifting device, preferably in such a way that the cutting edges ( 110 ) engage in the groove ( 68 ) of the molding tool ( 64 ). 50. Apparatus according to claim 49, characterized in that the frame webs ( 99 ) have an inner and an outer side surface ( 100 , 101 ) and an upper and a lower end face ( 102 , 103 ), wherein on the inner side surface ( 100) a flat, step-shaped recess ( 104 ) is formed in the area of the lower end face ( 103 ), into which the cutting knives ( 107 ) are inserted, which consist of thin-walled, elongated knife plates.