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Flow rate control during vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) processing

2006; Elsevier BV; Volume: 66; Issue: 13 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/j.compscitech.2005.12.008

1879-1050

Dominik Bender, Jens Schuster, Dirk Heider,

Advancements in Photolithography Techniques

This study investigates a flow rate control system for the Vacuum-Assisted Resin Transfer Molding (VARTM) process. The system allows vacuum pressure being applied to the injection bucket to generate a computer-controlled vacuum differential between the injection and vent gate. A fuzzy-logic controller has been implemented in LabVIEW and the system has been optimized using virtual simulation. A parametric study shows the performance of the control system as a function of process and material parameters. An experimental setup has been implemented including automatic pressure control and flow rate feedback from computer-controlled scales to validate the setup. The work is part of a state-of-the-art automated VARTM system, which will minimize costs and reduce engineering supervision currently necessary during resin injection.