Method for improving curing efficiency of autoclave of aeronautical composite component

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for improving the curing efficiency of an autoclave of an aeronautical composite component. The method comprises the following steps: step 1, inputting information of parts needing to be fed into the autoclave; 2, inputting autoclave information; 3, part information is read, and part grouping is carried out according to machining conditions; 4, the classified part groups are defined as 1, 2,... n groups, package arrangement is conducted on one part group firstly, m package arrangement results are obtained after package arrangement, the optimal result is selected, and the optimal work package of one part group is formed; 5, parts in the optimal working package are removed, and whether remaining parts exist in one part set or not is judged; step 6, sequentially arranging packages of the 2-n parts, obtaining m types of package arrangement results after package arrangement of each part, and respectively selecting optimal results after package arrangement of each part to respectively form optimal working packages of the 2-n parts; and 7, parts in the obtained optimal working package are removed, and then whether remaining parts exist in the 2-n parts sets or not is judged.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention belongs to the technical field of composite material autoclave curing, and relates to a method for improving the curing efficiency of an aviation composite material component autoclave. Background Art

[0002] There are many ways to shape and solidify aviation composite components, such as autoclave curing, curing furnace curing, hot press curing, laser curing, etc. Autoclave curing is currently the most widely used method for shaping and solidifying aviation composite components because of its low porosity, high fiber volume content, and stable and reliable mechanical properties.

[0003] The autoclave is a large pressure vessel with an integral heating system. The curing temperature of commonly used aviation thermosetting composite materials is generally 175-180°C, and the curing pressure generally requires 600KPa. Therefore, the autoclave must be strong enough and stable under high temperature and pressure, which leads to high cost and high energy consumption of the autoclave. Improving the curing efficiency of the autoclave of aviation composite materials can comprehensively improve the utilization level of the autoclave and reduce energy consumption. The prior art inventions for improving the curing efficiency of the autoclave are as follows:

[0004] 1. Carrying fixtures for aviation composite parts that improve the utilization efficiency of autoclaves (application number CN201820397367.5): Design a carrying fixture including a carrying frame, support rods, etc., and stack multiple paving fixtures to be cured on the carrying fixture to achieve batch loading of fixtures into the autoclave, thereby improving the utilization space of the autoclave. This method is suitable for larger autoclaves, and the height inside the autoclave must be sufficient to accommodate the placement of the carrying fixture. However, for small autoclaves, due to the size restrictions inside the tank, the advantages of the carrying fixture cannot be brought into play, and the carrying fixture limits the size of the paving fixture.

[0005] 2. A method and system for arranging autoclaves based on a two-dimensional packing algorithm in motion space (application number CN202010851671.4): This method simplifies the autoclave space into a plane and abstracts it into a rectangle. It abstracts the parts into small rectangular blocks, and uses a two-dimensional packing algorithm based on motion space to place as many small rectangular blocks as possible in the autoclave rectangle. It considers the constraints of vacuum nozzles, thermocouples, and tooling, and improves the efficiency of production planning by automatically arranging cans. This method mainly verifies the tooling area by calling a two-dimensional packing algorithm to improve the utilization rate of the autoclave flat plate, but this method does not consider the energy consumption of different autoclaves and fails to fully improve the curing efficiency of autoclaves for aviation composite components.

[0006] 3. A method for optimizing the volume utilization of an autoclave (application number EP11194980): by modeling and constructing the autoclave, the airflow pattern, temperature change, and turbulence intensity distribution are determined, and the temperature change and turbulence intensity distribution in the autoclave can be modified by modifying the configuration to maximize the number of parts arranged in the autoclave and meet the curing characteristics of the parts. This method is mainly aimed at the design and configuration modification of new autoclaves, and is not suitable for existing autoclaves in production.

[0007] Based on the above recent existing technologies, the methods for improving the autoclave curing performance of aviation composite components have certain limitations. Summary of the invention

[0008] Technical problems solved by the present invention:

[0009] The present invention proposes a method for improving the curing efficiency of an autoclave for aviation composite materials. Under the constraints of existing resource conditions, maximizing the utilization area of ​​the autoclave and minimizing the comprehensive energy consumption of the autoclave are respectively taken as optimization goals. A branch and bound algorithm is used to generate two information schemes for the entry of parts into the autoclave. The curing efficiency of the autoclave for aviation composite materials is improved while ensuring the spacing between toolings of each part, thereby ensuring the curing quality of the parts in the autoclave.

[0010] Technical solution of the present invention

[0011] A method for improving the curing efficiency of an autoclave of an aviation composite material component comprises the following steps:

[0012] Step 1: Input the part information that needs to be autoclaved into the computing device;

[0013] Step 2: Inputting autoclave information into a computing device;

[0014] Step 3: The data reading module in the computing device reads the part information input in step 1 and groups the parts according to the processing conditions;

[0015] Step 4: define the parts groups classified in step 3) as 1, 2, ... n groups, first arrange the parts group 1, obtain m arrangement results after arrangement, and select the best result to form the best work package for the parts group 1;

[0016] Step 5: Eliminate the parts in the optimal work package obtained in step 4, and then determine whether there are any remaining parts in group 1. If yes, return to step 4; if no, go to step 6;

[0017] Step 6: Arrange the packages for 2 to n parts groups in sequence, obtain m kinds of arrangement results after each part group is arranged, and select the best result after each part group is arranged to form the best work packages for 2 to n parts groups;

[0018] Step 7: Eliminate the parts in the optimal work package obtained in step 6, and then determine whether there are remaining parts in groups 2 to n of parts. If so, return to step 6; if not, output the part information of the optimal work package of groups 1 to n of parts respectively.

[0019] Furthermore, in step 1, the part information that needs to be put into the autoclave is input into the computing device, including: model, part name, curing curve serial number, corresponding paving tooling drawing number, tooling material, tooling type, tooling length, tooling width, tooling height, tooling area, number of part thermocouples, and number of part vacuum nozzles.

[0020] Furthermore, in step 2, the autoclave information input into the computing device includes: the number of available vacuum pipelines of each autoclave, the number of available thermocouple interfaces of each autoclave, the energy consumption power of each autoclave, and the effective area of ​​the plate of each autoclave.

[0021] Furthermore, the effective area of ​​the plate of each autoclave is calculated as 80%-90% of the area of ​​the plate of the autoclave.

[0022] Further, in step 3, the processing conditions include part curing curve, tooling material and tooling type.

[0023] Further, step 4 is specifically as follows: the part information in one part group and the information of m autoclaves are respectively transferred into the intlinprog function of the data reading module, and m kinds of packaging results are obtained according to the autoclave constraints and part constraints, where m depends on the number of autoclaves. The m kinds of results are compared, and the best result is selected as the best work package for this time. The best result is selected according to the target.

[0024] Furthermore, the autoclave constraints include the number of available vacuum lines, the number of available thermocouple interfaces, and the effective area of ​​the autoclave plate, and the part constraints include the length, width, height, and area of ​​the laying tooling, the number of part thermocouples, and the number of vacuum nozzles.

[0025] Furthermore, the objectives are divided into maximizing the utilization area of ​​the autoclave or minimizing the comprehensive energy consumption of the autoclave; when the objective is to maximize the utilization area of ​​the autoclave, the m results are sorted according to the utilization area of ​​the autoclave, and the result with the largest utilization area of ​​the autoclave is selected as the optimal work package; when the objective is to minimize the comprehensive energy consumption of the autoclave, the m results are sorted according to the comprehensive energy consumption of the autoclave, and the result with the smallest comprehensive energy consumption of the autoclave is selected as the optimal work package.

[0026] Further, in step 7, the part information of the optimal work package of 1 to n parts groups is output, including: work package serial number, part name, part model, curing curve sequence number, laying tooling drawing number, and autoclave information.

[0027] Beneficial Effects

[0028] The present invention realizes the real-time generation of an optimized autoclave curing parts placement plan for aviation composite components under the constraints of existing resource conditions. The plan is applicable to a single aircraft model and also to the mixed placement of multiple aircraft models. At the same time, the present invention can plan the autoclave placement plan for parts in advance according to the production order situation, and can also be used for the autoclave placement plan for parts in urgent need when faced with temporary adjustments such as production procedures and turnover. The present invention not only ensures the curing quality of parts in the autoclave, but also improves the curing efficiency of the autoclave. Compared with the manual arrangement of parts placement plan, it is more efficient and flexible, and is applicable to a variety of composite components cured and formed in an autoclave. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the tank entry process of Example 1;

[0030] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the tank entry process of Example 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] The features and illustrative embodiments of various aspects of the present invention will be described in detail below. In the detailed description below, many specific details are proposed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the present invention. However, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that the present invention can be implemented without the need for some of these specific details. The following description of the embodiments is only to provide a better understanding of the present invention by illustrating examples of the present invention. The present invention is by no means limited to any specific settings and methods proposed below, but covers any improvements, replacements and modifications of structures, methods, devices without departing from the spirit of the present invention. In the accompanying drawings and the following description, known structures and technologies are not shown to avoid unnecessary ambiguity in the present invention.

[0032] It should be noted that, in the absence of conflict, the embodiments of the present invention and the features in the embodiments can be combined with each other, and the embodiments can refer to and quote each other. The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and in combination with the embodiments.

[0033] The present invention provides a method for improving the curing efficiency of an autoclave of an aviation composite material component, comprising the following steps:

[0034] Step 1: Input the part information that needs to be put into the autoclave into the computing device; In step 1, the part information that needs to be put into the autoclave into the computing device includes: model, part name, curing curve serial number, corresponding paving tooling drawing number, tooling material, tooling type, tooling length, tooling width, tooling height, tooling area, number of thermocouples of parts, and number of vacuum nozzles of parts.

[0035] Step 2: Input the autoclave information to the computing device; in step 2, the autoclave information input to the computing device includes: the number of available vacuum lines for each autoclave, the number of available thermocouple interfaces for each autoclave, the power consumption of each autoclave, and the effective area of ​​the plate of each autoclave; the effective area of ​​the plate of each autoclave is calculated as 80%-90% of the area of ​​the plate of the autoclave

[0036] Step 3: The data reading module in the computing device reads the part information input in step 1 and groups the parts according to the processing conditions; the processing conditions include the part curing curve, tooling material and tooling type.

[0037] Step 4: Define the parts groups classified in step 3) as 1, 2, ... n groups. First, group 1 of the parts groups is packaged, and after the packaging, m packaging results are obtained, and the best result is selected to form the optimal work package for the group 1 of the parts groups.

[0038] Specifically, the part information of a part group and the information of m autoclaves are respectively transferred into the intlinprog function of the data reading module, and m kinds of packaging results are obtained according to the autoclave constraints and part constraints. m depends on the number of autoclaves. The m kinds of results are compared and the best result is selected as the best work package for this time. The best result is selected according to the target.

[0039] Among them, the autoclave constraints include the number of available vacuum pipelines, the number of available thermocouple interfaces, and the effective area of ​​the autoclave plate; the part constraints include the length, width, height, tooling area, number of part thermocouples, and number of vacuum nozzles.

[0040] Among them, the objectives are divided into maximizing the utilization area of ​​the autoclave or minimizing the comprehensive energy consumption of the autoclave; when the objective is to maximize the utilization area of ​​the autoclave, the m results are sorted according to the utilization area of ​​the autoclave, and the result with the largest utilization area of ​​the autoclave is selected as the optimal work package; when the objective is to minimize the comprehensive energy consumption of the autoclave, the m results are sorted according to the comprehensive energy consumption of the autoclave, and the result with the smallest comprehensive energy consumption of the autoclave is selected as the optimal work package.

[0041] Step 5: Eliminate the parts in the optimal work package obtained in step 4, and then determine whether there are any remaining parts in group 1. If yes, return to step 4; if no, go to step 6;

[0042] Step 6: Arrange the packages for 2 to n parts groups in sequence, obtain m kinds of arrangement results after each part group is arranged, and select the best result after each part group is arranged to form the best work packages for 2 to n parts groups;

[0043] Step 7: Eliminate the parts in the optimal work package obtained in step 6, and then determine whether there are remaining parts in the 2~n groups of parts. If yes, return to step 6; if not, output the part information of the optimal work package of the 1~n group of parts respectively. The output part information of the optimal work package of the 1~n group of parts includes: work package serial number, part name, part model, curing curve serial number, laying tooling drawing number, autoclave information

[0044] The present invention realizes the real-time generation of an optimized autoclave curing parts placement plan for aviation composite components under the constraints of existing resource conditions. The plan is applicable to a single aircraft model and also to the mixed placement of multiple aircraft models. At the same time, the present invention can plan the autoclave placement plan for parts in advance according to the production order situation, and can also be used for the autoclave placement plan for parts in urgent need when faced with temporary adjustments such as production procedures and turnover. The present invention not only ensures the curing quality of parts in the autoclave, but also improves the curing efficiency of the autoclave. Compared with the manual arrangement of parts placement plan, it is more efficient and flexible, and is applicable to a variety of composite components cured and formed in an autoclave.

[0045] Embodiment 1 of the present invention:

[0046] See the tank entry process Figure 1 .

[0047] 1) Input the information of the parts that need to be put into the autoclave into the computing device: model, part name, curing curve serial number, corresponding paving tooling drawing number, tooling material, tooling type, tooling length, tooling width, tooling height, tooling area, number of thermocouples of parts, and number of vacuum nozzles of parts.

[0048] 2) Input autoclave information to the computing device: There are 5 autoclaves of different sizes, input the number of available vacuum lines for each autoclave, the number of available thermocouple interfaces for each autoclave, the power consumption of each autoclave, and the effective area of ​​the plate of each autoclave (85% of the area of ​​the autoclave plate).

[0049] 3) The data reading module in the computing device reads the part information input in step 1) and groups the parts according to the part curing curve, tooling material and tooling type.

[0050] 4) Define the parts groups classified in step 3) as 1, 2, ... n groups.

[0051] 5) The part information of a part group and the information of five autoclaves are transferred into the intlinprog function of the data reading module, and five packaging results are obtained according to the autoclave constraints (the number of available vacuum pipes, the number of available thermocouple interfaces, and the effective area of ​​the autoclave plate) and the part constraints (tool length, tool width, tool height, tool area, number of part thermocouples, and number of part vacuum nozzles). The five packaging results are sorted according to the autoclave utilization area, and the result with the largest autoclave utilization area is selected as the optimal work package for a part group.

[0052] 6) Eliminate the parts in the optimal work package obtained in step 5), and then determine whether there are any remaining parts in group 1 of parts. If so, return to step 5); if not, carry out group 2 to n of parts in sequence according to the group 1 of parts packaging process to form the optimal work packages for 2 to n groups of parts respectively.

[0053] 7) After all groups of parts have been processed, the computing device outputs the part information of the optimal work package of 1 to n groups of parts, and the part information includes the work package number, part name, part model, curing curve serial number, laying tooling drawing number, and autoclave information.

[0054] Embodiment 2 of the present invention:

[0055] See the tank entry process Figure 2 .

[0056] 1) Input the information of the parts that need to be put into the autoclave into the computing device: model, part name, curing curve serial number, corresponding paving tooling drawing number, tooling material, tooling type, tooling length, tooling width, tooling height, tooling area, number of thermocouples of parts, and number of vacuum nozzles of parts.

[0057] 2) Input the autoclave information to the computing device: There are 3 autoclaves of different sizes, input the number of available vacuum lines for each autoclave, the number of available thermocouple interfaces for each autoclave, the power consumption of each autoclave, and the effective area of ​​the plate of each autoclave (90% of the area of ​​the autoclave plate).

[0058] 3) The data reading module in the computing device reads the part information input in step 1) and groups the parts according to the part curing curve, tooling material and tooling type.

[0059] 4) Define the parts groups classified in step 3) as 1, 2, ... n groups.

[0060] 5) The part information of a part group and the information of three autoclaves are transferred into the intlinprog function of the data reading module respectively, and three kinds of packing results are obtained according to the autoclave constraints (the number of available vacuum pipelines, the number of available thermocouple interfaces, and the effective area of ​​the autoclave plate) and the part constraints (tool length, tool width, tool height, tool area, number of part thermocouples, and number of part vacuum nozzles). The three packing results are sorted according to the comprehensive energy consumption of the autoclave, and the result with the minimum comprehensive energy consumption of the autoclave is selected as the optimal work package of a part group.

[0061] 6) Eliminate the parts in the optimal work package obtained in step 5), and then determine whether there are any remaining parts in group 1 of parts. If so, return to step 5); if not, carry out group 2 to n of parts in sequence according to the group 1 of parts packaging process to form the optimal work packages for 2 to n groups of parts respectively.

[0062] 7) After all groups of parts have been processed, the computing device outputs the part information of the optimal work package of 1 to n groups of parts, and the part information includes the work package number, part name, part model, curing curve serial number, laying tooling drawing number, and autoclave information.

[0063] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, but the protection scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any technician familiar with the field can easily think of various equivalent modifications or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed by the present invention, and these modifications or substitutions should all be covered within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for improving the curing efficiency of an autoclave of an aviation composite material component, characterized in that: The following steps are involved: Step 1: Input the part information that needs to be autoclaved into the computing device; Step 2: Inputting autoclave information into a computing device; Step 3: The data reading module in the computing device reads the part information input in step 1 and groups the parts according to the processing conditions; Step 4: define the parts groups classified in step 3) as 1, 2, ... n groups, first arrange the parts group 1, obtain m arrangement results after arrangement, and select the best result to form the best work package for the parts group 1; Step 5: Eliminate the parts in the optimal work package obtained in step 4, and then determine whether there are any remaining parts in group 1. If yes, return to step 4; if no, go to step 6; Step 6: Arrange the packages for 2 to n parts groups in sequence, obtain m kinds of arrangement results after each part group is arranged, and select the best result after each part group is arranged to form the best work packages for 2 to n parts groups; Step 7: Eliminate the parts in the optimal work package obtained in step 6, and then determine whether there are remaining parts in groups 2 to n of parts. If so, return to step 6; if not, output the part information of the optimal work package of groups 1 to n of parts respectively.

2. The method for improving the curing efficiency of an aviation composite material component autoclave according to claim 1, characterized in that: In step 1, the information of the parts that need to be put into the autoclave is input into the computing device, including: model, part name, curing curve serial number, corresponding paving tooling drawing number, tooling material, tooling type, tooling length, tooling width, tooling height, tooling area, number of thermocouples of parts, and number of vacuum nozzles of parts.

3. The method for improving the curing efficiency of an aviation composite material component in an autoclave according to claim 2, characterized in that: In step 2, the autoclave information input into the computing device includes: the number of available vacuum pipelines of each autoclave, the number of available thermocouple interfaces of each autoclave, the energy consumption power of each autoclave, and the effective area of ​​the plate of each autoclave.

4. The method for improving the curing efficiency of an aviation composite material component autoclave according to claim 3, characterized in that: The effective area of ​​the plate of each autoclave is calculated as 80%-90% of the area of ​​the plate of the autoclave.

5. The method for improving the curing efficiency of an autoclave of an aviation composite material component according to claim 4, characterized in that: In step 3, processing conditions include part cure profile, tooling material, and tooling type.

6. The method for improving the curing efficiency of an aviation composite material component in an autoclave according to claim 5, characterized in that: Step 4 is as follows: the part information in a part group and the information of m autoclaves are respectively transferred into the intlinprog function of the data reading module, and m kinds of packaging results are obtained according to the autoclave constraints and part constraints. m depends on the number of autoclaves. The m results are compared and the best result is selected as the optimal work package. The best result is selected according to the target.

7. The method for improving the curing efficiency of an aviation composite material component in an autoclave according to claim 6, characterized in that: The constraints of the autoclave include the number of available vacuum lines, the number of available thermocouple interfaces, and the effective area of ​​the autoclave plate. The constraints of the parts include the length, width, height, area of ​​the laying tooling, the number of part thermocouples, and the number of vacuum nozzles.

8. The method for improving the curing efficiency of an aviation composite material component in an autoclave according to claim 6, characterized in that: The objectives are divided into maximizing the utilization area of ​​the autoclave or minimizing the comprehensive energy consumption of the autoclave. When the objective is to maximize the utilization area of ​​the autoclave, the m results are sorted according to the utilization area of ​​the autoclave, and the result with the largest utilization area of ​​the autoclave is selected as the optimal work package. When the objective is to minimize the comprehensive energy consumption of the autoclave, the m results are sorted according to the comprehensive energy consumption of the autoclave, and the result with the smallest comprehensive energy consumption of the autoclave is selected as the optimal work package.

9. The method for improving the curing efficiency of an aviation composite material component in an autoclave according to claim 8, characterized in that: In step 7, the part information of the optimal work package of the 1 to n part groups is output, including: work package serial number, part name, part model, curing curve sequence number, laying tooling drawing number, and autoclave information.

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