Gate Location Optimization in Liquid Composite Molding Using Genetic Algorithms

Abstract

Manufacture of polymer composites using the process of liquid composite molding involves injection of a reactive resin into a closed mold with preplaced fibrous reinforcements. There are many studies that address the computer simulations for mold filling. The simulation programs provide the simulated mold filling results for a known gate location. However, they do not discuss the method for determination of the gate locations, which is one of the important issues in the total mold design. In this paper, a gate location optimization method was developed based on minimization of the mold filling pressure, uneven filling pattern, and temperature difference during the mold filling process. A genetic algorithm was used to search the optimal gate location. This method, in general, has a better chance to locate the near global optimum than the gradient based search method, especially in the problems with multiple variables and a large search space.