AN INTEGRATED APPROACH FOR MODELING THE INJECTION, COMPRESSION, AND RESIN TRANSFER MOLDING PROCESSES FOR POLYMERS

An integrated finite element process simulator has been developed for modeling the injection, compression, and resin transfer molding proces ses for polymeric materials. The similarities among the three processe s permit consolidation of the models into an integrated software packa ge with low maintenance and ease of future extension. An introduction to the integration algorithm embedded in the process simulator is foll owed by models for injection, compression, and resin transfer molding. The validation of the injection molding portion of the integrated sim ulator is then addressed by comparing pressure history and filling pat terns between the simulator predictions and experimental data. Tooling , processing, and quality issues-such as gating and venting design, we ldline locations, and pressure and closing force requirements-are illu strated by two examples, a 3-D fan blade and a ribbed box. (C) 1993 Jo hn Wiley & Sons, Inc.