Thermomechanical Simulation of Infrared Heating Diaphragm Forming Process for Thermoplastic Parts

• Published in: Journal of thermoplastic composite materials 2008-07, Vol.21 (4), p.353-370
• Main Authors: Labeas, G.N., Watiti, V.B., Katsiropoulos, Ch. V.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0892-7057; 1530-7980
• DOI: 10.1177/0892705708089480

An innovative methodology for the thermomechanical simulation of the infrared heating diaphragm forming (DF) process is proposed. In the first section of the paper, the heat transfer mechanisms between the infrared (IR) heating lamps and the thermoplastic plate are simulated, and the effect of the various preheating parameters on the heating time and temperature distribution is investigated. In the second section, the mechanical deformation of the thermoplastic component is simulated to enable prediction of heat losses due to the plate contact with the mold. Based on the developed simulation methodology, the main process parameters — e.g., the number, location, and power of IR lamps for optimal preheating; the heat losses during plate deformation; and the minimum required mold temperature throughout the forming phase — are derived for five different thicknesses. The optimization results show that the forming parameters considered influence the heating of the plate in a complex and interactive way; in addition, it is found that with increasing plate thickness, the heating time required to reach the desired temperature also increases.