Application of load-adapted hybrid textiles for a thermoplastic seat pass-through

Authors

  • Michael Schreiter Fraunhofer Institute for Machine Tools and Forming Technology IWU
  • Daniel Nebel Fraunhofer Institute for Machine Tools and Forming Technology IWU
  • Enrico Körner Volkswagen AG
  • Arham Saleem Fraunhofer Institute for Machine Tools and Forming Technology IWU
  • Manuel Schlegel Zoltek Corporation

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21935/tls.v3i1.134

Abstract

The potential of a continuous non-crimp fabric (NCF) process with implemented offset technologies is demonstrated by a case study of a seat pass-through. Topology optimization with the relevant load cases and the construction of a load-adapted composite design with a weight saving of up to 18 percent is presented. Inverse draping identifies a two-dimensional development of the construction and prepares it for production based on the restrictions of textile technology. The downstream process capability of textiles produced in this way was investigated by impregnating heavy tows with polypropylene on laboratory scale and subsequent material characterization of the resulting laminates. The impregnation and consolidation of the seat pass-through is performed with load path adapted semi-finished products using novel variothermal, fluid-based pressing. This allows better control over the dynamic impregnation and unwanted fiber washing due to the large gradient of the areal weight. The final processing in injection molding tool of the reference component shows the applicability of the technology also in existing process chains and illustrates the potential of the consistent consideration of a load-adapted composite design in the development process.

Published

2021-04-20