Sensor-based process monitoring of in-situ polymerization in T-RTM manufacturing with caprolactam

Kurzfassung

In the context of process digitalization for automotive lightweight structures, the impregnation with caprolactam and the polymerization process to polyamide 6 have been validated. This paper especially presents the results of the sensor-based process monitoring of a thermoplastic compression RTM process. The sensor data of four different sensor types is discussed, as there is pressure, temperature, ultrasonic and dielectric sensors. As a result, the knowledge on the processing of caprolactam and the machinery is now suitable for a sensor-based closed-loop process control system.