INTELLIGENT PROCESS CONTROL FOR AFFORDABLE VARTM PROCESSING OF DOD STRUCTURES

摘要

Vacuum Assisted Resin Transfer Molding (VARTM) processes are viable methods for manufacturing a wide range of polymer matrix composite structures and components for DoD applications. The University of Delaware Center for Composite Materials (UD-CCM) developed an Intelligent Process Control (IPC) system to fully automate the VARTM process, to allow material, process and part traceability and to ultimately reduce scrap and end-user costs through sensor-based real-time quality control. This paper summarizes the various components of the IPC system including software for database management, control and automation of resin mixing, sequential injection, and cure. The IPC system robustness has been improved through maturation of UD-CCM's lab scale work cells and the implementation of fully automated and production-ready IPC system at United Defense's Ground Systems Division in York PA for production of combat vehicle structures.