A sequence planning method for five-axis hybrid manufacturing of complex structural parts

The concept of additive–subtractive hybrid manufacturing provides a new idea for the manufacturing of high-precision complex structural parts. Currently, under the five-axis additive–subtractive hybrid manufacturing mode, existing research work concerned with sequence planning issues have limitations. This article presents a sequence planning method for hybrid manufacturing of complex structural parts with high precision. The initial printing direction of parts was determined based on an iterative search method and the initial hybrid manufacturing sequence was constructed by part volume decomposition, which solved the coupling problem of printing direction decision and machinability calculation. Under the constraint of tool accessibility, the whole planning of the hybrid manufacturing sequence was realized based on greedy algorithm. This method has achieved highly effective planning of the alternative sequence in the process of hybrid manufacturing, thus greatly reduced the number of tool changes required and laid a foundation for the realization of highly efficient hybrid manufacturing.

Recycled Carbon Fibers in Complex Structural Parts - Organic Sheets Made of rCF Staple Fiber Yarns

In order to sustainably establish carbon fiber reinforced polymer composites (CFRPC) in the market on an industry scale, solutions on how to recycle these new materials have to be developed. Quasi-continuously aligned carbon staple fiber structures in organic sheets made of recycled carbon are one approach which will be dealt with in this article. The process chain as well as the mechanical properties will be presented. Moreover, the specific feature of staple fiber yarns to be able to plastically deform under process temperature, enabling new degrees of deep-drawing of CFRPC organic sheets in the thermoforming process, will be highlighted.

One Step Production of High-performance Sandwich Components

The combined PU spray and wet pressing process allows the manufacture of parts with high lightweight potential. The process can be used for the production of sandwich parts with compact continuous fiber reinforced PU outer layers and a process integrated formation of the foam core. Compared with established production processes for structural sandwich parts, the integration of the foam core formation in a wet pressing process is highly efficient and economical especially for complex structural parts.