Die-less forming of fiber-reinforced thermoplastic sheets and metal wire mesh

Abstract. The growing market for fiber-reinforced thermoplastics (FRTP) requires new flexible production processes prototype and small series production, as conventional forming techniques involving molds are not cost efficient in these cases. Inspired by incremental sheet metal (ISF), an alternative manufacturing the of FRTP with just two robot guided standard tools is outlined. To maintain a locally formed shape heated, fabric, auxiliary wire mesh used it has similar deformation mechanisms, especially shearability, while being sufficiently self-supporting. Feasibility approach discussed investigated basic experiments.