Virtual Sensor Simulation Study of Flow During Resin Transfer Molding Process

Published

October 12, 2021

Author(s)

S R. Kueh, S G. Advani, Richard~undefined~undefined~undefined~undefined~undefined Parnas

Abstract

In any manufacturing environment, on-line sensing can play an important part in controlling the quality of the final product. Having a sensor embedded within the part itself is often the most effective means of monitoring its condition at various stages of manufacturing and even throughout its useful life. However, due to their intrusive physical presence, there are practical limitations imposed upon the size, inertness, quantity and trajectory of these sensors. Here, an embedded virtual continuous sensor with a linear response function is used to monitor the resin flow front in the resin transfer molding (RTM) process. An optical fiber capable of detecting changes in its environment along its entire length is an example of such a continuous sensor. The objective of this study was to determine the optimal trajectory of the sensor in a square mold for the detection of race tracking based on simulated mold fillings. The ultimate goal is to develop an understanding of how to interpret sensor responses and, subsequently, use it to control the RTM process. The simulations were run under constant flow rate or constant inlet pressure with middle or edge gate injection locations with various preform permeabilities within the mold. This study was later extended to a more complicated mold geometry. Assuming that only one sensor may be used, the responses if sensors placed in a few different locations were compared with the objective of selecting the best sensor trajectory in each case for deducing the flow patterns in the mold and identifying whether or not there is race tracking. This study has proven useful in acquiring information on the optimal placement of flow sensors and on-line knowledge of the mold filling progression during the injection process in RTM.

Proceedings Title

Proceedings of the American Society of Composites

Conference Dates

September 22-25, 1998

Conference Location

Undefined

Conference Title

American Society for Composites. Technical Conference

Pub Type

Conferences

Keywords

edge effects, flow monitoring, RTM, sensor, simulation

Citation

Kueh, S. , Advani, S. and Parnas, R. (2021), Virtual Sensor Simulation Study of Flow During Resin Transfer Molding Process, Proceedings of the American Society of Composites, Undefined (Accessed April 30, 2024)