Hot-Melt Prepreg Machine Features

UD Machines

A UD machine will include a multi-end Creel system to unwind the individual bobbins of fiber under controlled tension and will included fiber management and fiber spreading.

Creel

Creels are available in various levels of tension control – from basic friction tension holdback up to servo driven and load cell controlled positions
Creels are designed to present the fiber sheet in a stable condition to the impregnation process

Fiber Spreading/Tow Management

To make high-quality UD prepreg, each fiber tow must be tensioned, guided and spread to achieve the target fiber areal weight (FAW) uniformly across the web. To permit manufacture of multiple fiber areal weights from a variety of tow weights, adjustable combs and fiber spreaders are incorporated into our systems for making UD prepreg.

Comb

The adjustable comb system segregates and aligns the tows before entering the fiber spreading system

Combs feature interchangeable inserts for different spacing
Angles are adjustable to fine-tune the web width and fiber areal weight
Larger machines feature double comb systems
Custom combs available for special applications and can include special coatings (DLC, Teflon) and special materials for abrasive tows (tungsten fingers)

Spreader

Uniform fiber spreading is critical for achieving consistent fiber areal weight across the web. Our spreaders employ a series of fixed small-diameter spreader bars. Friction over these bars causes the tow to spread. Spreading can be optimized by changing the spacing between bars and the angle of the fiber as it passes over them.

Tow spreading is VERY dependent on incoming fiber quality, the amount of sizing, and twist.

Spreaders are offered with a variety of custom options to optimize the spreading process:

Various spreader bar coating surface finishes (chrome plated, flame sprays, bead blasted finishes)
Vibrating spreader bars
Oscillating spreader bars or oscillating combs
Heated spreader bars or IR heating of the spreading process
IR preheaters to “de-size” the fiber prior to spreading

Compaction Rolls

Compaction is the heart of the hot melt prepregging process. Heat and pressure raise the temperature of the resin and transfer it from the carrier paper or film onto the spread fiber web. Resin flow from carrier to fiber is dependent on the heat transfer from the compaction rolls to the resin.

All of our machines incorporate compaction roll sets that can operate in either ‘Nip’ of ‘S-Wrap’ modes. In S-Wrap mode, the web wraps 180 degrees or more around each compaction roll, which dramatically increases the resin’s exposure to heat . This can allow much higher operating speeds on some products.

Our superior compaction designs incorporate key features that give you the capability to produce prepreg that is consistent along the web, uniform across the web, with no voids or gaps.

Because of the viscoelastic characteristics of most resin systems, our prepreg machines typically incorporate multiple sets of compaction rolls. The gap between rolls is normally adjusted smaller on each progressive compaction roll set.

Litzler compaction rolls sets incorporate key design features that are exclusive to our machines:
- True 0.0002” (0.005mm) TIR, using sophisticated bearings and bearing housings. The rolls are finish ground in the bearings.
- Rolls are large diameter, which minimizes deflection (typically 24” (610mm) for 50” wide (1270mm) machine) deflections are 0.00xx” (0.0Xmm) at 150 PLI.
- Precision gap-setting mechanism using a wedge-block design.

Heating and Cooling Plates

Because conduction is the most efficient method to transfer heat, our UD systems incorporate high heat transfer machined aluminum heating and cooling plates. Aluminum is used to maximize efficiency. The plates are curved so that the web is in intimate contact with the plate over its entire length.

Heating is achieved using embedded electric heaters or fluids (water or oil). Cooling relies on fluids only. The design of the heating/cooling systems and the selection of aluminum for these plates results in temperature accuracy/uniformity of 1 degree C across the web.

Unwinds and Rewinds

Our UD machines incorporate unwinds and rewinds for various papers, films, scrim, poly liners and edge trim.

All unwinds (Let-offs) incorporate tension control, using brakes or AC drives
Tension is controlled by load-cells or diameter sensors through the Litzler Automation control system
For operator safety and convenience, all unwinds incorporate heavy-duty safety chucks and lightweight air shafts
Fixed, turret and guided unwinds are available
Turrets are available in 2-, 3- ,4- and 6-position configurations
On narrow-web machines, cantilevered unwinds are available
Some positions incorporate a removable cart for loading and unloading
Drop-splice features are available
Web guiding for scrims is available