Simulation of Warpage Behaviour of Pur Sandwich Structures

Abstract

PUR sandwich construction is used for the inexpensive production of lightweight, rigid and decorated parts in one operation. Depending upon the type of sandwich construction, however, warpage of the parts may occur (e.g. in the case of in-mould decorated parts); this is counteracted in industry by means of cost-intensive pilot investigations and the use of form gauges. Against this background, a mathematical model was produced of the warpage behaviour of PUR sandwich structures of this type and the FEA algorithm developed verified using a warpage analysis of parts with a simple geometry. The conclusion reached is that PUR processors may be provided with a computer simulation which will enable them to estimate the warpage and identify compensatory measures as early as the construction phase.