Prepreg is an abbreviation of Preimpregnated Materials. It is a sheet-type product in which a matrix is ​​impregnated with reinforced fiber. The prepreg has very different properties depending on the orientation of the fibers and the weaving method, and the orientation of the fibers plays an important role in determining the mechanical strength of CFRP. Short and randomly oriented reinforcing fibers show isotropy, while long, unidirectional reinforcing fibers exhibit anisotropic behavior and are strongest when the applied load is parallel to the reinforcing fibers. Classification by the direction of the fiber is divided into unidirectional, orthogonal, multiaxial, and the like. Uni-directional refers to a state in which almost all fibers in the fabric are aligned in one direction. When the fibers used as reinforcing materials are aligned in one direction, the fibers are used in a straight line without twisting during the fabric production process, and there is an advantage in that the amount of fibers used as a whole can be minimized. A uni-directional prepreg exhibits different cutting forces depending on the stacking orientation angle. In this experiment, the optimal cutting conditions for a uni-directional prepreg 45 degree orientation angle specimen are presented.

In order to commercialize large diameter PP pipes, the cutting work was attempted with the cutting machine (∅18″and AL120 cutter, 2100 r.p.m) used for the conventional PE or PVC pipe(∅1200 mm, t 70), but the cutting work was failed because the material of “PP pipe” melted and sticked to the surface of the wheel-cutter. In order to find the optimal structure and number of blades for wheel-cutters, an experimental investigation the temperature measurement of specimen and wheel-cutter and the visualization of cutted specimen surface and chip shape were carried out during and after experiment. In addition, modelings for cutting and heat transfer mechanisms have been developed for theoretical analysis. The theoretical and experimental results were in good agreement. The results show that the appropriate structure and the rotational speed of wheel-cutter are W60 and 650 rpm for the large diameter PP pipe cutting machine.

The speed at which products are developed and released to market is tightly linked to profitability and market share. Hence, many companies are still in a desperate need of real Rapid Tooling (RT) technologies which can really help to expedite their proto

  “Getting to market first” is extremely critical in this competitive business environment. The speed at which products are developed and released to market is tightly linked to profitability and market share. Many companies that have been very skeptical