Masters Theses

Author

Shixuan Meng

Keywords and Phrases

Additive manufacturing; Finite element analysis; Fused deposition modeling; Molding tool; Topology optimization

Abstract

"Fused deposition modeling (FDM) technology has been used in additive manufacturing for years and is able to significantly reduce both manufacturing time and cost for production tooling and end-use parts. Autoclave molding is one of the conventional tools used to produce composite parts. In autoclave molding, the soft composite material is positioned on the molding tool, and then subjected to vacuum and elevated temperatures to facilitate the curing of the resin. With additive manufacturing (AM), it is possible to fabricate the molding tool with a sparse internal structure, thereby reducing the fabrication time and cost compared to a solid tool. This thesis compares two different approaches to design the sparse internal structure of a mold {acute}{esc}p03 by using a sparse double dense structure and by using topology optimization geometry. To ensure a fair comparison, the amount of material used to build the tool is kept constant. Two CAD models are designed, each having three possible internal structure structures: solid, sparse double dense structure, and topology optimization geometry. The physical part of the first CAD model is fabricated and used in a compression experiment to validate the results of finite element analysis (FEA) for the three structures. The second CAD model is an autoclave molding tool. Computer simulation is used to predict the performance of this molding tool with each of the three structures after the accuracy of the FEA solver has been proven with the first model."--Abstract, page iii.

Advisor(s)

Leu, M. C. (Ming-Chuan)

Committee Member(s)

Chandrashekhara, K.
Tsai, Hai-Lung

Department(s)

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Degree Name

M.S. in Mechanical Engineering

Publisher

Missouri University of Science and Technology

Publication Date

Spring 2016

Pagination

ix, 51 pages

Note about bibliography

Includes bibliographical references (page 50).

Rights

© 2016 Shixuan Meng, All rights reserved.

Document Type

Thesis - Open Access

File Type

text

Language

English

Subject Headings

Manufacturing processes -- Research
Solid freeform fabrication
Finite element method

Thesis Number

T 10882

Electronic OCLC #

952596902

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