Multi-objective optimisation of the cure of thick components. (February 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Struzziero, G.; Skordos, A.A.
• Is Part Of: Composites. Volume 93(2017)
• Page Start: 126
• Page End: 136
• Publication Date: 2017-02
• Subjects: C. Finite element analysis -- C. Numerical analysis -- E. Cure; Composite materials -- Periodicals; Manufacturing processes -- Periodicals; Composite materials; Manufacturing processes; Periodicals; 620.11805
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compositesa.2016.11.014
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-835X

Abstract

Abstract: This paper addresses the multi-objective optimisation of the cure stage of composites manufacture. The optimisation aims to minimise the cure process duration and maximum temperature overshoot within the curing part by selecting an appropriate thermal profile. The methodology developed combines a finite element solution of the heat transfer problem with a Genetic Algorithm. The optimisation algorithm approximates successfully and consistently the Pareto optimal front of the multi-objective problem in a variety of characteristic geometries of varying thickness. The results highlight the efficiency opportunities available in comparison with standard industrial cure profiles. In the case of ultra-thick components improvements of up to 70% in terms of overshoot and 14 h in terms of process time, compared to conventional cure profiles for ultra-thick components, can be achieved. In the case of thick components reduction up to 50% can be achieved in both temperature overshoot and process duration.