Process Control of Press Molding with Dielectric Sensor for Thermoplastic Composites

摘要

Thermoplastic composites have high impact resistance and are good materials for the vanes of jet engines that sometimes suffer bird strike damage. Matched-die press molding is a good molding process for the vanes that need precise molding. However, many laborious test moldings are needed to fix the optimum process parameters for press molding. Process control utilizing in-mold sensors can significantly reduce the number of test moldings. A process control procedure for controlling the molding process of CF/PEEK composite vane was devised. A CF/PEEK stator vane model was molded under the control of two dielectric sensors. The temperature distribution of the mold was controlled by AC conductivity. The vane model was successfully molded by the controlled process.