Flow rate control during vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) processing

This study investigates a flow rate control system for the Vacuum-Assisted Resin Transfer Molding (VARTM) process. The system allows vacuum pressure being applied to the injection bucket to generate a computer-controlled vacuum differential between the injection and vent gate. A fuzzy-logic controller has been implemented in LabVIEW and the system has been optimized using virtual simulation. A parametric study shows the performance of the control system as a function of process and material parameters. An experimental setup has been implemented including automatic pressure control and flow rate feedback from computer-controlled scales to validate the setup. The work is part of a state-of-the-art automated VARTM system, which will minimize costs and reduce engineering supervision currently necessary during resin injection.