Adaptive extraction system for the machining of CFRP
Themes: Leichtbau, Process- and Production Engineering
Components made our of FRP are produced near net-shape. Still machining operations are necessary to trim the edges and produce drill holes and cut-outs. In most cases, milling operations are used which are carried out dry without the use of cooling fluid. These operations produce large amounts of fine dust particles and chips being a threat to machine operators, the machine tool itself and the process reliability. Hence, strong extraction systems are used.
Latest studies from 2018 show that still particle collection rates are poor in industrial usage although large amounts of energy are consumed. Hereby, the energy consumption of the extraction system is often much higher than the one of the machine tool itself.
At Fraunhofer IPA a new extraction system was developed which detects the particles being thrown out by the cutting tool and postions a suction head into the right position. By doing so, high collection rates are achieved although the system requires only a cut of the energy of an ordinary extraction system. Tests carried out at real CFRP parts show that the system is working as predicted. By that, the smart extratction system strongly decreases energy consumption but also improves occupational safety.