Application of Artificial Vision in flow redirection during filling of Liquid Composite Molding processes

摘要

The control techniques applied in Liquid Composite Molding processes have been extensively worked out by many different research groups abroad. In this work, the original use of artificial vision technology in order to redirect the flow path during mold filling appears as a major objective of online control strategy. In this study, a process performance index developed in a previous work is used to define the mold gate opening sequence. The Vacuum Assisted Resin Transfer Molding (VARTM) and Vacuum Assisted Resin Infusion (VARI) have been selected as the main processes of study. The expert system will make use of numerical simulation in order to obtain a previous physical understanding of the flow behaviour in different manufacturing conditions. Some examples of the installation are presented and discussed.