Model-based optimal control of layering time for layer-by-layer UV processing of resin infused laminates

摘要

This paper first discusses experimental verifications of a 1D process model for layer-by-layer UV curing of thick composite laminates. The layer-by-layer UV curing process is modelled as a hybrid dynamic system by treating the underlying cure kinetics and associated thermal process as continuous dynamics switched by the discrete layering events. An additional heat transfer model is introduced to take into account the cooling effect of practical process delays of physically introducing each new layer. The successive layering times are treated as the control inputs that can be selected optimally via an optimization scheme that searches for the optimal layer addition times which result in minimal cure deviations across all layers of the laminate at final time. The potential benefit of the proposed optimal control scheme is demonstrated by considering both simulations and an experimental study on layer-by-layer fabrication of a thick composite laminate.