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Case Study: Optimizing a Press Moulding Process - A324

From CKN Knowledge in Practice Centre
Perspectives - A8AIM Events - Webinars - A115Case Study: Optimizing a Press Moulding Process - A324
 
Case Study: Optimizing a Press Moulding Process
Perspectives article
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Document Type Article
Document Identifier 324
Themes
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Prerequisites
Webinar Date
  • July 27, 2022

Introduction[edit | edit source]

Many of our previous webinars have introduced knowledge, theories, and background information on composite materials. How do we put these into practice and use them to make engineering decisions to obtain our desired outcome?

In this webinar we will take a thorough look at a case study on the optimization of a thermoset prepreg press moulding process that was optimized to cut the processing time in half by simply adjusting processing parameters. We will explain the theory and practice behind engineering tools used and decisions made throughout the study. The focus will be on material characterization, process simulation, microscopy, mechanical testing, and process verification.

Content discussed in the webinar is linked to the Knowledge in Practice Centre (KPC), allowing users to access this and other content in a consistent and coherent manner.

Presenter[edit | edit source]

Dr. Casey Keulen
Assistant Professor of Teaching, Department of Materials Engineering, The University of British Columbia
Director, CKN Knowledge in Practice Centre

Webinar[edit | edit source]

Webinar slides[edit | edit source]

Webinar slides available by clicking on the icon below

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Additional information for select chapters[edit | edit source]

Chapter Chapter Title Links to related information in the Knowledge in Practice Centre
1 Welcome & introductions N/A
2 Knowledge in Practice Centre
3 Overview
4 Press Moulding Processing: Overview
5 Press Moulding Processing: Common Applications
6 Case Study: Setting the Scene
7 KPC: Optimizing a cure cycle
8 Case Study: Summary of Workflow Future Content
9 Material Characterization: Thermal stability
10 Material Characterization: Cure kinetics
11 Material Characterization: Consolidation
12 Material Characterization: Processing temperature Future Content
13 Material Characterization: Part DOC
14 Model Validation: Confirm expected DOC Future Content
15 Model Validation: Simulate existing process Future Content
16 Process Optimization: Cure optimization Future Content
17 Process Optimization: Post-cure optimization Future Content
18 Optimized Process Validation
19 Optimized Process Validation: Dimensional specs.
20 Optimized Process Validation: Mechanical prop.
21 Summary & wrap-up N/A
22 Q&A N/A


Related pages

Page type Links
Introduction to Composites Articles
Foundational Knowledge Articles
Foundational Knowledge Method Documents
Foundational Knowledge Worked Examples
Systems Knowledge Articles
Systems Knowledge Method Documents
Systems Knowledge Worked Examples
Systems Catalogue Articles
Systems Catalogue Objects – Material
Systems Catalogue Objects – Shape
Systems Catalogue Objects – Tooling and consumables
Systems Catalogue Objects – Equipment
Practice Documents
Case Studies
Perspectives Articles


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Welcome

Welcome to the CKN Knowledge in Practice Centre (KPC). The KPC is a resource for learning and applying scientific knowledge to the practice of composites manufacturing. As you navigate around the KPC, refer back to the information on this right-hand pane as a resource for understanding the intricacies of composites processing and why the KPC is laid out in the way that it is. The following video explains the KPC approach:

Understanding Composites Processing

The Knowledge in Practice Centre (KPC) is centered around a structured method of thinking about composite material manufacturing. From the top down, the heirarchy consists of:

The way that the material, shape, tooling & consumables and equipment (abbreviated as MSTE) interact with each other during a process step is critical to the outcome of the manufacturing step, and ultimately critical to the quality of the finished part. The interactions between MSTE during a process step can be numerous and complex, but the Knowledge in Practice Centre aims to make you aware of these interactions, understand how one parameter affects another, and understand how to analyze the problem using a systems based approach. Using this approach, the factory can then be developed with a complete understanding and control of all interactions.

The relationship between material, shape, tooling & consumables and equipment during a process step


Interrelationship of Function, Shape, Material & Process

Design for manufacturing is critical to ensuring the producibility of a part. Trouble arises when it is considered too late or not at all in the design process. Conversely, process design (controlling the interactions between shape, material, tooling & consumables and equipment to achieve a desired outcome) must always consider the shape and material of the part. Ashby has developed and popularized the approach linking design (function) to the choice of material and shape, which influence the process selected and vice versa, as shown below:

The relationship between function, material, shape and process


Within the Knowledge in Practice Centre the same methodology is applied but the process is more fully defined by also explicitly calling out the equipment and tooling & consumables. Note that in common usage, a process which consists of many steps can be arbitrarily defined by just one step, e.g. "spray-up". Though convenient, this can be misleading.

The relationship between function, material, shape and process consisting of Equipment and Tooling and consumables


Workflows

The KPC's Practice and Case Study volumes consist of three types of workflows:

  • Development - Analyzing the interactions between MSTE in the process steps to make decisions on processing parameters and understanding how the process steps and factory cells fit within the factory.
  • Troubleshooting - Guiding you to possible causes of processing issues affecting either cost, rate or quality and directing you to the most appropriate development workflow to improve the process
  • Optimization - An expansion on the development workflows where a larger number of options are considered to achieve the best mixture of cost, rate & quality for your application.