Controllability during Mold Filling in Liquid Composite Molding Process

摘要

Liquid Composite Molding(LCM) processes are gaining popularity in various composites industries, including aerospace, automotive, infrastructure and marine. LCM encompasses an increasing group of mold filling processes, which involve the injection of a resin into a mold cavity filled with a fibrous reinforcement preform. In this study, basic concepts of on-line control are introduced with pertinent case studies with a step mold. Flow visualization was conducted for experimental validation. One basic parameter which validates the use of control for a process is controllability. Studies have shown that controllability of the flow front shape is possible only in a window of processing conditions during mold filling. Conventional methods have not proven useful to determine controllability of the process. Parametric studies are conducted on an RTM process in order to gain insight into and quantify controllability. The results are applicable to other LCM processes as well.