INTELLIGENT RTM PROCESSING OF COMPOSITES

摘要

New developments are described in advanced RTM processes, processing equipment (including a supervisory model-based controller), and electromagnetic sensors for flow monitoring. The advanced processing methods involve use of variable injection temperature and accelerator concentration in a three-component system. An RTM processing system is incorporation a number of innovations to ease and improve the process. The system, which can handle multiple components, consists of metering-mixing equipment, a distributed regulatory control system, and a supervisory control and data acquisition(SCADA) system. Innovative concepts for low-cost flow front monitoring are also demonstrated. The flow front sensor is based on a real-valued capacitance measurement. The use of this approach to monitor wicking in the mold is demonstrated.