Unlock pultrusion speed potential with thermally optimized pultrusion dies
- Pultrusion Dynamics Inc., Oakwood Village, OH (United States)
Until recently, pultrusion process optimization was limited to a production floor engineering task. Ideally, the optimization procedure should occur in the off-line engineering environment and through computer assisted simulation and optimization algorithms. Pultrusion Dynamics, Inc. has developed and is offering such an optimization service, called TOPDIE{trademark} Analysis, which provides the pultruder with valuable recommendations for die modifications which can maximize the productivity and quality potential of existing and new pultrusion production jobs. Thermally Optimized Pultrusion Dies are made possible through the application of finite element analysis (FEA) techniques which model the pultrusion die, the heating environment and the polymerization reaction to identify temperature distribution imbalances and energy deficiencies with respect to the die cross-section as well as the axial die profile. When the analysis is applied to existing dies, recommendations are provided that may include changes in heating methodology, control temperature setpoints, control thermocouple placement, use of auxiliary heating sources, placement of passive heat transfer inserts and application of localized insulation. This paper describes the key points addressed in a TOPDIE pultrusion optimization project, the theoretical basis, and illustration of the practical thermal die design issues addressed. Experience to date with implemented programs has demonstrated improvements in pultrusion output by up to 50% which rapidly recovers the cost of analysis and required tooling modifications by reducing manufacturing unit costs and scrap while improving dimensional tolerance control.
- OSTI ID:
- 392421
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9602107--
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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