Unit information: Process modelling and control in composites manufacture in 2021/22

Unit name	Process modelling and control in composites manufacture
Unit code	AENGM0019
Credit points	10
Level of study	M/7
Teaching block(s)	Academic Year (weeks 1 - 52)
Unit director	Dr. Ivanov
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	None.
Co-requisites	None.
School/department	Department of Aerospace Engineering
Faculty	Faculty of Engineering

Description including Unit Aims

This unit forms part of the taught component of the EngD programme in Composites Manufacture. The unit will provide a thorough understanding of process modelling. The course departs from the basic physical principles such as mass, energy and heat flow, and focusses on processes specific to composites manufacturing: mechanics of consolidation, resin infusion in liquid moulding and thermoplastic forming, mechanics of composite precursor deformation at component and structural scales, heat transfer and cure of thermoset materials, residual stress and distortions, defect generation and mitigation. The course provides an extensive overview of the current state-of-the-art modelling techniques, discusses their limitations and predictive power, introduces commercially available and bespoke software tools, and trains to use them properly.

The aims of this unit are to:

1. Provide the Research Engineers with an understanding of the physico-chemical and mechanical transformations occurring during composites manufacturing
2. Introduce the Research Engineers to the methodologies tools appropriate for quantitative modelling of composites processing
3. Provide skills for time/cost/quality optimisation, defect mitigation, and control in composites manufacture processes

Intended Learning Outcomes

The students will be able to:

1. Have a solid understanding of the fundamental physicochemical and mechanical processes involved in the major stages of composite manufacturing spanning from material deposition to residual effects.
2. Appreciate issues and methodologies involved in process control in the manufacture of composite structures.
3. Demonstrate awareness of commercially available software tools for process modelling and ability to use selected packages for design of a manufacturing process.
4. Demonstrate understanding of the applicability of process optimisation and defect mitigation strategies in composites processing.

Teaching Information

Teaching will be delivered through a combination of synchronous and asynchronous sessions, which may include lectures, practical activities supported by drop-in sessions, problem sheets and self-directed exercises.

Assessment Information

• Report on computer assignment in the form of presentation slides (80%)
• 20-minute assessed presentation (20%)

This assessment will develop the student's theoretical understanding of the nature of and the interactions between the components of fibre reinforced polymer composites, specifically during the processes of liquid resin infusion and cure.

Resources

If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.

If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. AENGM0019).

How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks, independent learning and assessment activity.

See the Faculty workload statement relating to this unit for more information.

Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit. The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. If you have self-certificated your absence from an assessment, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (this is usually in the next assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any extenuating circumstances and operates within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.