A process performance index based on gate-distance and incubation time for the optimization of gate locations in liquid composite molding processes

In this study, a process performance index based on gate-distance and incubation time for liquid composite molding processes is defined. This index allows the consideration of both resin flow and curing issues in process design optimization. Another advantage in using this index in process optimization is that the computation involved is very efficient as only two-dimensional calculation is required. For this purpose, we make use of a new and accurate high order discretization technique for the filling flow kinematics-incubation time evolution coupled model, presented in some of our former works. This makes the index very useful in LCM process design optimization, where costly iterative stochastic search algorithms such as genetic algorithms are used. The effectiveness of the approach is illustrated through a number of examples which involve race tracking, areas with different permeabilities, different filling conditions, etc.