A risk-based approach to manufacturing process control: use in autoclave moulded composite sandwich panels

The quality of a design solution is largely the consequence of making informed decisions based on the quality of available information. This information is not always accurate or reliable and therefore its use is not without risk, forcing designers to be conservative. The design of mechanical components is dependent amongst other things on the materials and manufacturing processes utilised. Composites are unique in that the component configuration, material and manufacturing process can be simultaneously manipulated, allowing highly optimised structures to be designed. Risk analysis is a pragmatic way of managing the variability of such information and therefore the risk associated with design for manufacture decision-making. This paper investigates the use of statistical process control techniques for improving the consistency of autoclave moulded composite components.