Study on optimization of the pouring system in vacuum infusion molding process for composite yacht hull

Vacuum infusion molding process (VIMP) is widely used to manufacture yacht hull. Pouring system in the process has a key influence on filling time, process cost and hull quality, but it is usually designed with experience and lots of experiments. In this paper, optimization method of the pouring system in VIMP for composite yacht hull was studied. An evaluation method for runner layout pattern was proposed after analyzing the filling process and the frequently-used runner layout patterns. Then filling process simulations for four runner layout patterns were implemented and the best runner layout pattern was determined. Optimization method for gate location of VIMP was studied; a mathematical model for optimizing the gate location was established after determining the optimal objective and optimal parameters. Concrete form of the object function for gate location optimization was determined after a series of simulations, and then the optimal gate location was obtained. The simulations also showed that it was inadvisable to reduce the filling time just by adding the quantity of gates.