ESI Group and École Polytechnique de Montréal Collaborate to Further Develop PAM-RTM

By DE Editors

ESI Group, a supplier of digital simulation software for prototyping and manufacturing processes, announced the release of several enhancements to numerical simulation of liquid composite molding (LCM) and manufacturing process analysis, thanks to its partnership with École Polytechnique de Montréal.

A long-term agreement was signed with École Polytechnique de Montréal in 2007 aimed at developing, validating, and industrializing PAM-RTM,  ESI’s simulation-based design composite solution for resin transfer molding (RTM) and resin infusion processes.

The following innovations, developed by the Chair on Composites of High Performance (CCHP) at École Polytechnique de Montréal, are being integrated into the existing PAM-RTM software:

• Optimization of the void distribution in an RTM composite part through injection flow rate
• Rapid RTM flow simulation
• Conditional opening of injection ports and vents during resin injection
• Incorporation of simultaneous filling and curing simulations including the overfilling phase and the evacuation of excess resin at the end of the filling cycle
• Automatic definition and optimization for the location of multiple injection ports in a RTM mold based on genetic algorithms
• Articulated injection-compression
 

While PAM-RTM version 2008 already includes the void optimization module, the upcoming version 2009 will feature the One-Shot simulation module that can be used upfront to accelerate the process development and find the optimal positions of injection ports. Features to speed up the work of process engineers and allow conditional mold filling simulations for multiple injection ports, namely the interaction of filling and curing and the Trigger Manager, will also be included in version 2009.

For more information, visit ESI.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.