Composite material VARI process resin permeation process analysis and control system and method
Through the integrated system of mold, vacuum source, permeation display layer and image analysis software, the monitoring problem of the permeation process of composite VARI process resin is solved, automated monitoring and precise control are achieved, and safety risks and operation error rates are reduced.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202510790850.4
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-06-13
- Publication Date
- 2025-07-25
AI Technical Summary
The monitoring of the resin penetration process of composite VARI process is difficult, the labor environment and safety are poor, the monitoring accuracy of the resin penetration process is poor, the traditional manual operation is large and the error rate is high.
An integrated system is adopted for molds, reinforcement material prefabricated bodies, injection hose, outlet hose, valve, resin reservoir, vacuum source, one-way breathable membrane, permeability display layer, transparent vacuum bag, temperature sensor, pressure sensor, image acquisition equipment, image analysis software and process control software to realize automated monitoring and control of resin penetration process.
It realizes automatic monitoring of the resin penetration process of VARI process, reduces the working intensity of technicians, ensures production safety, provides accurate data and three-dimensional model references for the resin penetration process, and improves the operation accuracy.
Smart Images

Figure CN120363511A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention belongs to the field of resin-based fiber composites. More specifically, the present invention relates to an analysis and control system for the resin infiltration process in the VARI process of composites. Background Art
[0002] In the vacuum assisted resin infusion (VARI) process for liquid molding of composites, a preform is first prepared using reinforcing fibers, and the reinforcing fiber preform is hermetically encapsulated on a mold using a vacuum bag. Then, a liquid resin with curing reaction activity is injected into the vacuum bag to fully infiltrate the reinforcing material preform. Finally, the resin is cured to form a composite part. The VARI process has advantages such as high manufacturing efficiency and low manufacturing cost, and has broad application prospects in fields such as aerospace, shipbuilding, and wind power generation.
[0003] Compared with process technologies such as autoclaves, the most prominent feature of the VARI process lies in the "in-situ infiltration" of resin and reinforcing materials. The quality of resin infiltration into the preform significantly affects the performance of the part. Factors such as too fast or too slow resin infiltration speed and the inability to remove air inside the reinforcing material preform will cause defects such as dry spots and dense pores in the part. Therefore, the key technology of the VARI process lies in the precise control of the resin infiltration process. At present, during the resin infiltration process of the VARI process, technicians need to enter the interior of equipment such as ovens to observe and record the resin infiltration behavior. The working environment is harsh, the safety hazards are prominent, it is difficult to achieve quantitative analysis of resin infiltration, and the accuracy is poor. Technicians need to make further process control operation judgments based on the observed resin infiltration situation. For products with large-size complex structures, this operation is very cumbersome and the error rate is high. Summary of the Invention
[0004] The technical problems to be solved by the present invention include: 1. The monitoring of the resin infiltration process in the VARI process of composites is difficult, the working environment and safety are poor, and the accuracy of monitoring the resin infiltration process is poor.
[0005] 2. In the traditional VARI process for composites, the workload of manually observing the resin infiltration behavior and performing process control operations is large, and the error rate is high.
[0006] The present invention solves the above technical problems through the following technical solutions: Analysis and Control System for Resin Penetration Process of a Composite Material by VARI Process, including: mold, preform of reinforcing material, injection tube and outlet tube, valves, resin reservoir, several vacuum sources, one-way air-permeable membrane, penetration display layer, transparent vacuum bag, several temperature sensors, several pressure sensors, several image acquisition devices, curing equipment, image analysis software, process control software, three-dimensional models of the product and the mold.
[0007] The mold can be fixed inside the curing equipment, and the preform of the reinforcing material is arranged on the mold.
[0008] Valves are installed on the injection tube and the outlet tube to control the opening and closing state of the pipeline. One end of the injection tube is connected to the resin reservoir, and the rest is arranged on the mold. The resin stored in the resin reservoir is introduced into the preform of the reinforcing material through the injection tube. One end of the outlet tube is connected to the vacuum source, and the rest is arranged on the mold. The one-way air-permeable membrane is coated outside the outlet of the outlet tube. The one-way air-permeable membrane only allows gas to pass through, and the air inside the preform of the reinforcing material is discharged through the outlet tube.
[0009] The penetration display layer is composed of a black substrate fabric and a glass fiber layer attached to the substrate fabric. The penetration display layer is arranged on the preform of the reinforcing material with the glass fiber layer facing upward. During the resin penetration process, the glass fiber layer in the penetrated area is infiltrated by the resin, and the light transmittance increases, showing the color of the black substrate fabric in the lower layer. The brightness and color of the penetrated area and the unpenetrated area of the penetration display layer are different, thereby showing the position of the resin penetration front. The transparent vacuum bag hermetically seals the preform of the reinforcing material, the penetration display layer, and the injection tube and the outlet tube located on the mold on the mold.
[0010] The several vacuum sources are respectively connected to the outlet tube and the transparent vacuum bag to provide a vacuum environment inside the vacuum bag and provide a pressure difference between the resin injection tube and the outlet tube.
[0011] The temperature sensors are respectively connected to the curing equipment, the resin reservoir, and the preform of the reinforcing material to monitor the temperature of each area.
[0012] The pressure sensors are arranged inside the transparent vacuum bag to monitor the pressure inside the vacuum bag.
[0013] The image acquisition devices are arranged inside the curing equipment to acquire images at different positions and angles. The objects to be acquired include the mold, the preform of the reinforcing material, the injection tube, the outlet tube, the penetration display layer, and the transparent vacuum bag. The acquired images are transmitted to the image analysis software.
[0014] The described image analysis software is used for image processing, analysis, and reverse modeling based on image information. The image analysis software identifies information such as the color, brightness, and texture of the collected images, analyzes and determines the boundary of the region where the information undergoes a mutation, and this boundary is the physical contour. The image analysis software corresponds the boundary with the geometric information in the three-dimensional models of the product and the mold to establish a combined three-dimensional model, which includes the shape, size, and relative position of the image acquisition object.
[0015] The process control software is used to control other parts to perform process control operations according to process information. It includes collecting temperature information monitored by temperature sensors, pressure information monitored by pressure sensors, time, and image information output by the image analysis software, and performing process control operations such as temperature increase and decrease, valve opening and closing, and equipment switching according to the set program.
[0016] Analysis and control method for the resin infiltration process of the composite material VARI process, with the process reference attached Figure 2 Using the above system to manufacture composite material VARI products includes the following steps: (a) Preparation of the reinforcement preform: Prepare the reinforcement preform on the mold and fix the mold in the curing equipment. Place the injection tube and the outlet tube. One end of the injection tube is connected to the resin reservoir, and the rest is set on the mold. The outlet of the outlet tube is covered with a one-way breathable membrane. One end of the outlet tube is connected to the vacuum source, and the rest is set on the mold.
[0017] (b) Initial image acquisition: Use the image acquisition device set inside the curing equipment to acquire the initial image. The acquisition objects include the mold, the reinforcement preform, the injection tube and the outlet tube located on the mold.
[0018] (c) Initial image analysis: Transmit the initial image acquired in step (b) to the image analysis software. The image analysis software identifies the color, brightness, and texture information of the initial image, analyzes and determines the boundary of the region where the information undergoes a mutation. The boundary is the contour of the acquisition object. The image analysis software further corresponds the boundary with the geometric information in the three-dimensional models of the product and the mold to establish a combined three-dimensional model including the shape, size, and relative position of the reinforcement preform, the mold, the injection tube on the mold, and the outlet tube.
[0019] (d) Bag making: Attach the glass fiber layer to the black substrate fabric to obtain the infiltration display layer, which is used to display the resin infiltration front position. Place the infiltration display layer on the preform, with the glass fiber layer in the infiltration display layer facing up. Seal the infiltration display layer, the reinforcement preform, and the injection tube and the outlet tube above the mold on the mold with a transparent vacuum bag. The transparent vacuum bag is connected to the vacuum source and evacuated.
[0020] (e)Process control system integration: Several temperature sensors are respectively arranged inside the curing equipment, resin storage tank, and preform of reinforcing material to monitor the temperatures of various parts. Several pressure sensors are arranged inside the transparent vacuum bag to monitor the pressure inside the bag. The process control software is integrated with the above-mentioned hardware to control other parts to perform process control operations according to process information. The process control software is associated with the temperature sensors and pressure sensors to obtain the temperature and pressure information sensed by the sensors. The process control software is also associated with the valve, the curing equipment control system, the vacuum source control system, the image acquisition device, and the image analysis software, and performs process control operations according to the acquired information. This includes controlling the opening and closing of the pipeline valve, the switch of the vacuum source, the switch of the curing equipment, the temperature of the curing equipment, the operation and stop of the image acquisition device, the operation and stop of the image analysis software, and the integrated output of process information.
[0021] (f)Process control program setting: A process control program is set in the process control software, including: Penetration preparation program: Control the curing equipment to heat up. When the resin temperatures in the preform and the liquid storage tank reach T1, sequentially control the opening of the vacuum source and the valve connected to the glue outlet pipe. When the pressure inside the transparent vacuum bag reaches -0.09 Mpa, open the valve of the glue injection pipe.
[0022] Penetration control program: Start timing. Control the image acquisition software to collect process images at regular intervals, and transmit the process images to the image analysis software. In the process images, the color of the penetration display layer area infiltrated by the resin deepens. The image analysis software identifies the color, brightness, and texture image information on the penetration display layer, analyzes and determines the boundary of the area where the information mutates, marks the boundary position and the corresponding time t1 in the combined three-dimensional model, and the boundary is marked as the resin flow front. The image analysis software identifies the position of the resin flow front line. When the resin flow front completely coincides with the glue outlet pipe, record the time t2, and the resin penetration stage is completed, and the image acquisition device stops running.
[0023] Curing control program: Control the temperature and time conditions required for the curing process of the curing equipment. After curing is completed, control the temperature and time conditions required for the cooling process of the curing equipment. After cooling is completed, control the curing equipment and the vacuum source to stop running.
[0024] (g)Process control program operation: The process control software sequentially executes the programs in step (f) to complete resin penetration preparation, resin penetration control, and curing.
[0025] (h) Data analysis: The image analysis software calculates the resin penetration rate of each area of the reinforcement preform based on the flow front position and time information, and forms a resin penetration rate chart.
[0026] (i) Result output: The image analysis software and the process control software output process information, including the completion time t2 of the resin penetration stage, the temperature T1 in the penetration preparation stage, the temperature and time in the curing and cooling stages, the vacuum degree in the vacuum bag at each stage, the in-plane resin penetration rate chart, and the three-dimensional model of the process. The three-dimensional model of the process is a combined three-dimensional model containing all the resin flow front positions and the corresponding time t1.
[0027] The technical solution of the present invention has the following advantages: 1. It can realize the automatic monitoring of the resin penetration process in the VARI process, reduce the work intensity of technicians, and ensure production safety.
[0028] 2. It can realize the full-process and precise monitoring of the resin penetration process in the VARI process, present the resin penetration process in a three-dimensional model, and obtain accurate data on the resin flow front position, time, and penetration rate, providing a reference for technicians to analyze and control product quality.
[0029] 3. It can realize the automation of the resin penetration process control operation. After the software judges the resin penetration state, it controls the hardware to accurately execute the process control operation, reducing the labor intensity of technicians and ensuring the operation accuracy rate. Description of the Drawings
[0030] Figure 1 - Schematic diagram of the hardware structure of the resin penetration process analysis and control system for the VARI process of composite materials; Figure 2 - Resin penetration process analysis and control flow for the VARI process of composite materials; Figure 3 - Product structure diagram of Embodiment 1; Figure 4 - Schematic diagram of the combined three-dimensional model of Embodiment 1; Figure 5 - Schematic diagram of the three-dimensional model of the process of Embodiment 1; Explanation of the numbers in the figure: 1 - mold, 2 - reinforcement preform, 3 - valve, 4 - glue injection pipe, 5 - glue outlet pipe, 6 - resin storage, 7 - vacuum source, 8 - one-way air permeable membrane, 9 - penetration display layer, 10 - transparent vacuum bag, 11 - image acquisition device, 12 - curing device, 13 - resin flow front. Detailed Embodiments
[0031] The following are preferred embodiments, and the technical solution of the present invention will be more clearly and completely described in combination with the drawings.
[0032] Example 1: Manufacture a resin-based carbon fiber composite product. The product structure is a foam sandwich panel, as Figure 3 shown, with dimensions of 2800mm×560mm, including 4 pieces of closed-cell foam cores, upper skin on the core, and lower skin on the core. The product is integrally formed by the VARI process.
[0033] The embodiment of the present invention provides an analysis and control system for the resin infiltration process in the VARI process of composite materials, as Figure 1 shown, including: a mold, a preform of reinforcing material, a resin injection pipe and a resin outlet pipe, valves, a resin reservoir, several vacuum sources, a unidirectional air-permeable membrane, a penetration display layer, a transparent vacuum bag, several temperature sensors, several pressure sensors, several image acquisition devices, a curing device, image analysis software, process control software, and three-dimensional models of the product and the mold.
[0034] The mold can be fixedly arranged inside the curing device, and the preform of reinforcing material is arranged on the mold.
[0035] Valves are installed on the resin injection pipe and the resin outlet pipe to control the opening and closing states of the pipeline. One end of the resin injection pipe is connected to the resin reservoir, and the rest is arranged on the mold. The resin stored in the resin reservoir is introduced into the preform of reinforcing material through the resin injection pipe. One end of the resin outlet pipe is connected to the vacuum source, and the rest is arranged on the mold. The unidirectional air-permeable membrane is coated outside the outlet of the resin outlet pipe, and the unidirectional air-permeable membrane only allows gas to pass through. The air inside the preform of reinforcing material is discharged through the resin outlet pipe.
[0036] The penetration display layer is composed of a black substrate fabric and a glass fiber layer attached to the substrate fabric. The penetration display layer is arranged on the preform of reinforcing material with the glass fiber layer facing upward. The transparent vacuum bag hermetically seals the preform of reinforcing material, the penetration display layer, and the resin injection pipe and the resin outlet pipe located on the mold on the mold.
[0037] The several vacuum sources are respectively connected to the resin outlet pipe and the transparent vacuum bag.
[0038] The temperature sensors are respectively connected to the curing device, the resin reservoir, and the preform of reinforcing material.
[0039] The pressure sensors are arranged inside the transparent vacuum bag.
[0040] The image acquisition devices are arranged inside the curing device to acquire images at different positions and angles. The objects to be acquired include the mold, the preform of reinforcing material, the resin injection pipe, the resin outlet pipe, the penetration display layer, and the transparent vacuum bag. The acquired images are transmitted to the image analysis software.
[0041] The image analysis software can identify information such as the color, brightness, and texture of the acquired images, analyze and determine the boundaries of the regions where the information mutates, correspond the boundaries to the geometric information in the three-dimensional models of the product and the mold, and establish a combined three-dimensional model including the shape, size, and relative position of the image acquisition object.
[0042] The process control software can collect the temperature information monitored by the temperature sensor, the pressure information monitored by the pressure sensor, the time, and the image information output by the image analysis software, and perform process control operations such as temperature rise and fall of the curing equipment, opening and closing of valves, turning on and off of the equipment, and running of the image analysis software according to the set program.
[0043] A method for manufacturing the composite material product using the above resin infiltration process analysis and control system, as Figure 2 shown, the process is as follows: (a) Preparation of the reinforcement preform: Prepare the reinforcement preform on the mold and fix the mold in the curing equipment. Place the injection pipe and the outlet pipe. One end of the injection pipe is connected to the resin reservoir, and the rest is arranged on the mold along the long edge of the preform. The opening of the outlet pipe is covered with a one-way air-permeable membrane. One end of the outlet pipe is connected to the vacuum source, and the rest is arranged on the mold along the long edge of the preform opposite to the injection pipe.
[0044] (b) Initial image acquisition: Use the image acquisition device set inside the curing equipment to acquire the initial image along the normal direction of the product. The acquisition objects include the mold, the reinforcement preform, the injection pipe and the outlet pipe located on the mold.
[0045] (c) Initial image analysis: Transmit the initial image acquired in step (b) to the image analysis software. The image analysis software identifies the color, brightness, and texture information of the initial image, and screens out the boundaries of the regions where the information mutates. Correspond the screened boundaries to the geometric information in the three-dimensional models of the product and the mold, and establish a combined three-dimensional model including the shape, size, and relative position of the reinforcement preform, the mold, the injection pipe and the outlet pipe on the mold (as Figure 4 shown).
[0046] (d) Bagging: Attach the glass fiber layer to the black substrate fabric to obtain the penetration display layer. Place the penetration display layer on the preform with the glass fiber layer facing up. Seal the penetration display layer, the reinforcement preform, and the injection pipe and the outlet pipe above the mold with a transparent vacuum bag on the mold. The transparent vacuum bag is connected to the vacuum source and evacuated.
[0047] (e)Process control system integration: A number of temperature sensors are respectively arranged inside the curing equipment, resin storage tank, and preform of reinforcing material. A number of pressure sensors are arranged inside the transparent vacuum bag. The process control software is integrated with the above-mentioned hardware. The process control software is associated with the temperature sensors and pressure sensors to obtain the temperature and pressure information sensed by the sensors. The process control software is also associated with the valve, the curing equipment control system, the vacuum source control system, the image acquisition device, and the image analysis software to obtain information and perform process control operations.
[0048] (f)Process control program setting: A process control program is set in the process control software, including: Penetration preparation program: Control the curing equipment to heat up. When the resin temperature in the preform and the liquid storage tank reaches 100 °C, sequentially control the opening of the vacuum source and the valve connected to the glue outlet pipe. When the pressure inside the transparent vacuum bag reaches -0.09 Mpa, open the valve of the glue injection pipe.
[0049] Penetration control program: Start timing. Control the image acquisition software to collect process images along the normal direction of the product at intervals of 0.5 s and transmit the process images to the image analysis software. In the process images, the color of the penetration display layer area infiltrated by the resin deepens. Control the image analysis software to identify the color, brightness, and texture image information on the penetration display layer, analyze and determine the boundary of the area where the information changes suddenly, mark the boundary position and the corresponding time t1 in the combined three-dimensional model, and the boundary is marked as the resin flow front. The image analysis software identifies the position of the resin flow front line. When the resin flow front completely coincides with the glue outlet pipe, the image analysis software records the time t2 and feeds back the information to the process control software. The resin penetration stage is completed, and control the image acquisition device to stop running.
[0050] Curing control program: Control the curing equipment to execute the temperature and time conditions required for the curing process (180 °C, 120 min). After curing is completed, control the curing equipment to execute the temperature and time conditions required for the cooling process (room temperature, cooling rate 0.5 °C / min). After cooling is completed, control the curing equipment and the vacuum source to stop running.
[0051] (g)Process control program operation: The process control software sequentially executes the programs in step (f) to complete resin penetration preparation, resin penetration control, and curing.
[0052] (h)Data analysis: The image analysis software calculates the resin penetration rate of each area of the preform of reinforcing material according to the flow front position and time information to form a resin penetration rate chart.
[0053] (i) Result output: The image analysis software and process control software output process information, including the completion time of the resin penetration stage of 1440 s, the temperature during the penetration preparation stage of 98°C - 103°C, the curing temperature of 180°C - 185°C, the curing time of 120 min, and the temperature during the cooling stage, the vacuum degree inside the vacuum bag at each stage, a chart of the in-plane resin penetration rate, and a three-dimensional model of the process (such as Figure 5 ). The three-dimensional model of the process is a combined three-dimensional model that includes all the resin flow front positions and the corresponding time t1.
[0054] The technical solution of the present invention has the following advantages: 1. It can realize the automatic monitoring of the resin penetration process of the VARI process, reduce the work intensity of technicians, and ensure production safety. 2. It can realize the full-process and precise monitoring of the resin penetration process of the VARI process, present the resin penetration process in a three-dimensional model, and obtain accurate data on the resin flow front position, time, and penetration rate, providing a reference for technicians to analyze and control product quality. 3. It can realize the automation of the resin penetration process control operation. After the software judges the resin penetration state, it controls the hardware to accurately execute the process control operation, reducing the labor intensity of technicians and ensuring the operation accuracy rate.
Claims
1. An analysis and control system for the resin infiltration process of a composite material by the VARI process, characterized in that, Including: A mold, a preform of reinforcing material, a resin injection tube and a resin outlet tube, valves, a resin reservoir, a plurality of vacuum sources, a one-way breathable membrane, a penetration display layer, a transparent vacuum bag, a plurality of temperature sensors, a plurality of pressure sensors, a plurality of image acquisition devices, a curing device, image analysis software, process control software, a three-dimensional model of the product and the mold; The mold is fixed inside the curing device, and the preform of reinforcing material is arranged on the mold; Valves are installed on the resin injection tube and the resin outlet tube to control the opening and closing states of the pipelines; One end of the resin injection tube is connected to the resin reservoir, and the rest is arranged on the mold. The resin stored in the resin reservoir is introduced into the preform of reinforcing material through the resin injection tube; One end of the resin outlet tube is connected to the vacuum source, and the rest is arranged on the mold. The one-way breathable membrane is coated outside the outlet of the resin outlet tube; The penetration display layer is arranged on the preform of reinforcing material, and the transparent vacuum bag hermetically seals the preform of reinforcing material, the penetration display layer, and the resin injection tube and the resin outlet tube located on the mold on the mold; The plurality of vacuum sources are respectively connected to the resin outlet tube and the transparent vacuum bag; The plurality of temperature sensors are respectively connected to the curing device, the resin reservoir, and the preform of reinforcing material; The plurality of pressure sensors are arranged inside the transparent vacuum bag; The image acquisition devices are arranged inside the curing device, acquire images at different positions and angles, and the acquired images are transmitted to the image analysis software; The image analysis software identifies the acquired images and establishes a combined three-dimensional model including the shape, size, and relative position of the image acquisition object; The process control software acquires the temperature information monitored by the temperature sensors, the pressure information monitored by the pressure sensors, time, and the combined three-dimensional model output by the image analysis software, and performs process control operations such as temperature rise and fall of the curing device, opening and closing of valves, turning on and off of the device, and running of the image analysis software according to the set program.
2. The analysis and control system for the resin infiltration process of a composite material VARI process according to claim 1, wherein The one-way breathable membrane only allows gas to pass through, and the air inside the preform of reinforcing material is discharged through the resin outlet tube.
3. An analysis and control system for the resin infiltration process of a composite material VARI process according to claim 1, characterized in that, The penetration display layer is composed of a black substrate fabric and a glass fiber layer attached to the substrate fabric, and the glass fiber layer faces upward.
4. A VARI process resin penetration analysis and control system for a composite material according to claim 1, wherein, The image acquisition object includes the mold, the preform of reinforcing material, the resin injection tube, the resin outlet tube, the penetration display layer, and the transparent vacuum bag.
5. The analysis and control system for the resin infiltration process of a composite material VARI process according to claim 1, wherein, The image analysis software identifies the acquired images and establishes a combined three-dimensional model including the shape, size, and relative position of the image acquisition object. Specifically: The image analysis software identifies the color, brightness, and texture information of the acquired images, analyzes and determines the boundaries of the regions where the information mutates, and corresponds the region boundaries to the geometric information in the three-dimensional model of the product and the mold, thereby establishing a combined three-dimensional model including the shape, size, and relative position of the image acquisition object.
6. A method for analyzing and controlling the resin infiltration process in the VARI process, characterized in that, The method is applied to the system according to any one of claims 1-5, and the steps include: (a)Preparation of Reinforcement Preform: Prepare the reinforcement preform on the mold and fix the mold in the curing equipment; Place the injection tube and the bleed tube. One end of the injection tube is connected to the resin reservoir, and the rest is arranged on the mold; The opening of the bleed tube is covered with a unidirectional breathable membrane. One end of the bleed tube is connected to the vacuum source, and the rest is arranged on the mold; (b)Initial Image Acquisition: Use the image acquisition device set inside the curing equipment to acquire the initial image. The acquisition object of the initial image includes the mold, the reinforcement preform, the injection tube and the bleed tube located on the mold; (c)Initial Image Analysis: Transmit the initial image acquired in step (b) to the image analysis software. The image analysis software identifies the color, brightness and texture information of the initial image, and analyzes and determines the boundary of the area where the information changes suddenly; The image analysis software corresponds the area boundary with the geometric information in the three-dimensional model of the product and the mold, and establishes a combined three-dimensional model including the shape, size and relative position of the reinforcement preform, the mold, the injection tube and the bleed tube on the mold; (d)Bag Making: Attach the glass fiber layer to the black substrate fabric to obtain the penetration display layer. Place the penetration display layer on the preform, with the glass fiber layer in the penetration display layer facing up. Seal the penetration display layer, the reinforcement preform, and the injection tube and the bleed tube above the mold on the mold with a transparent vacuum bag. The transparent vacuum bag is connected to the vacuum source and evacuated; (e)Process Control System Integration: Set several temperature sensors inside the curing equipment, the resin reservoir and the reinforcement preform respectively; Set several pressure sensors inside the transparent vacuum bag; The process control software is associated with the temperature sensors and pressure sensors to obtain the temperature and pressure information sensed by the sensors; The process control software is also associated with the valve, the curing equipment control system, the vacuum source control system, the image acquisition device and the image analysis software to perform process control operations; (f)Process Control Program Setting: Set the process control program in the process control software, including: Penetration Preparation Program: Used to control the process parameters and process operations before resin penetration; Penetration Control Program: Used to control the image analysis software to collect and analyze the resin flow front position and time information; Curing Control Program: Used to control the process parameters and process operations during the curing process; (g)Process Control Program Execution: The process control software sequentially executes the programs in step (f) to complete resin penetration preparation, resin penetration control and curing.
7. A method for analyzing and controlling the resin penetration process of the VARI process according to claim 6, characterized in that The penetration preparation program is specifically used for: Controlling the heating of the curing equipment. When the resin temperature in the preform and the liquid storage tank reaches T1, sequentially control the opening of the vacuum source and the valve connected to the bleed tube. When the pressure in the transparent vacuum bag reaches -0.09 Mpa, open the injection tube valve.
8. A method for analyzing and controlling the resin penetration process in the VARI process according to claim 7, characterized in that The penetration control program is specifically used for: Start timing, control the image acquisition software to collect process images at regular intervals, and transmit the process images to the image analysis software. In the process images, the color of the penetrant display layer area infiltrated by the resin deepens. The image analysis software identifies the color, brightness, and texture image information on the penetrant display layer, analyzes and determines the boundary of the area where the information mutates. The image analysis software marks the boundary position and the corresponding time t1 in the combined three-dimensional model. The boundary is marked as the resin flow front. The image analysis software identifies the position of the resin flow front line. When the resin flow front completely coincides with the glue outlet pipe, record the time t2, and the resin penetration stage is completed. The image acquisition device stops running.
9. A method for analyzing and controlling the resin infiltration process in the VARI process according to claim 8, characterized in that, Curing control program, specifically used for: Control the temperature and time conditions required for the curing process of the curing device. After curing is completed, control the temperature and time conditions required for the cooling process of the curing device. After cooling is completed, control the curing device and the vacuum source to stop running.
10. A method for analyzing and controlling the resin infiltration process of the VARI process according to claim 6, characterized in that, The method further includes: (h) Data analysis: The image analysis software calculates the resin penetration rate of each area of the fiber preform according to the resin flow front position and time information, and forms a resin penetration rate chart; (i) Result output: The image analysis software and the process control software output process information, including the resin penetration stage completion time t2, the penetration preparation stage temperature T1, the temperature and time in the curing and cooling stages, the vacuum degree in the vacuum bag in each stage, the in-plane resin penetration rate chart, and the three-dimensional process model; the three-dimensional process model is a combined three-dimensional model containing all the resin flow front positions and the corresponding time t1.
Citation Information
Cited By
Resin infusion process control method and control system
CN122008463A
Resin infusion process control method and control system
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