Research Area Technology - D1:Process Simulation and Optimization

CoDiCoFRTP Process Simulation and Optimization

Advisors: Kärger (FAST), Henning (FAST), Hrymak (UWO)
 

The third generation of doctoral researchers in the GRK 2078 focusses on thermoplastics instead of thermosets. One of the main differences is the shear-dominated rheological model and the formulation of no-slip boundary conditions at the cold mold surface of LFT compression molding compared to the lubrication layer at the hot surface during SMC compression molding. Furthermore, due to the compounding process in LFT compression molding, the initial charge exhibits a non-uniform fiber orientation and fiber length distribution. Based on the developed physical models by the second generation of GRK 2078, fast approximation and surrogate models shall be developed to be used for process optimization. Such meta-models are supposed to predict the fiber orientation distribution and manufacturability based on the position of the initial charge, press forces and other processing parameters as inputs. In turn, they can be used for fast process optimization of cycle times, weld lines, energy consumption, part performance etc. Higher-level structural optimization methods such as the topology and shape optimization in D2 can also use these metamodels as an efficient approximation for manufacturing effects.