Abstract: Resin
transfer molding is one of the most promising fabrication
methods for mid-volume, high performance polymer composite
structures. Yet there exist several technical issues which
impede a wide application base. One of those issues is tooling
design. In the RTM process, the arrangement of injection gates
and vents of the mold has a significant impact on product quality
and process efficiency. A systematic approach is introduced for
optimum design of RTM tooling systems. This approach is built
upon a three-dimensional RTM simulation model coupled with a
neural network-genetic algorithm optimization procedure. With the
simulation results, a neural network-based meta-model is created
for rapid RTM process modeling. Genetic algorithm is applied to
this rapid RTM process model to search for the optimum solution
to RTM process design. The tooling design scheme enables the
engineer to determine the optimum locations of injection gates
and vents for the best processing performance.
Key words: Resin
transfer molding Computer simulation Genetic algorithms Process
design optimization
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