CPC B29C 70/504 (2013.01) [B29C 70/54 (2013.01); B29K 2105/0872 (2013.01)] | 15 Claims |
1. A belt calender for manufacturing preimpregnated composites, comprising:
a first roller, which is rotatable around its longitudinal axis;
a first belt running at least partly around the first roller; and
a second belt running in between the first roller and the first belt,
wherein the first belt and the second belt are configured for guiding a feed of material between them,
wherein a plurality of auxiliary rollers, which are rotatable around their respective longitudinal axes, are arranged substantially parallel to the first roller around at least a part of a circumference thereof,
wherein the first and second belt and any material therebetween run in between two adjacent ones of the plurality of auxiliary rollers, thereby defining a meandering path for the feed of material,
wherein the first belt, the second belt and any material therebetween runs, in a transport direction of the feed of material:
alternatingly along the inside and the outside of two adjacent ones of the auxiliary rollers as seen from the first roller, and
along the first roller, and subsequently along the auxiliary rollers, and
wherein the first roller is a heated roller and has a diameter larger than the auxiliary rollers, such that the material between the first and second belts is preheated by the first roller and subsequently massaged by the auxiliary roller.
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