In the RTM (Resin Transfer Molding) and SRIM (Structural Reaction Injection Molding) analyses, resin is forced to flow through a cavity in which reinforcing preform (also called fiber mat) is present.
Resin transfer molding was available for Midplane and Dual Domain meshes in the past. In 2017 R2, this molding process has been extended to 3D meshes. The workflow is generally similar to that for Midplane and Dual Domain except that in 3D RTM, permeability is specified in 3 different directions, and there are 2 options for the fiber mat. The 3D analysis has the following advantages compared with Midplane or Dual Domain meshes:
- It can simulate anisotropy of permeability in the thickness direction.
- It can handle complicated geometry cases better.
- It can handle gravity and venting effects.
New Results
There are three new results for 3D RTM, which must be added as new plots. To add the result, click
(). The new results are:
- Mat orientation (1st principal direction)
- Mat orientation (2nd principal direction)
- Mat orientation (3rd principal direction)
These results represent the directions in the first, the second and the third principal directions. Examine these plot to determine whether, or not, the orientation results are correct.
Limitations
- The current implementation is for macroscopic flow analysis only. No detailed analysis of flow through the individual fibers is performed.
- Only thermoset materials are supported.
- Compression molding processes are not supported.
- Only flow analyses are supported.