Process chain for forming and consolidating fiber-reinforced thermoplastics and metallic sheets in a two-stage isothermal tool

Abstract Due to their good mechanical properties and low structural weight, multi-material structures are a promising approach in the automotive industry lightweight design, body construction functionalization. Especially metal plastic mainly combined achieve improved of final component compared mono-material structures. This paper describes development manufacturing cell for joint forming heat-assisted press joining steels continuous fiber-reinforced thermoplastics form unidirectional carbon-fiber tapes. In order shorter cycle times ensure economical production, cell, supplemented with automated handling by means two robots an isothermal, stages tool concept was developed tested. The composite components produced were tested regard performance. feasibility production demonstrated. All had higher specific load capacity than pure steel component. Cycle well under 60 seconds achieved. An enormous reduction process time variothermal concepts could be achieved new cell.