Title: Machine vision support of VARI process automation in composite part manufacturing

Authors: Stefanos Lekanidis; George-Christopher Vosniakos

Addresses: School of Mechanical Engineering, Section of Manufacturing Technology National Technical University of Athens, Heroon Polytehniou 9, 15780, Athens, Greece ' School of Mechanical Engineering, Section of Manufacturing Technology National Technical University of Athens, Heroon Polytehniou 9, 15780, Athens, Greece

Abstract: This paper presents a system for monitoring and regulating the injection of resin into technical fabric pieces laid up against a die, a process that is commonly used in the production of composite materials by vacuum (VARI). To implement this system, a conventional webcam was used to capture the flow of resin and standard machine vision routines were put together to construct a suitable environment to detect the resin flow front. In addition, a sample hydraulic/pneumatic system for infusing the resin was designed and implemented, consisting of inlet and outlet valves. A suitable electronic circuit was designed to control the hydraulic/pneumatic system and control code was developed using a low cost microcontroller. A typical example is presented based on which the general system's concept is explained and discussed.

Keywords: machine vision; monitoring; control; resin infusion; composites; vacuum assisted resin infusion; valves.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMMS.2020.109799

International Journal of Mechatronics and Manufacturing Systems, 2020 Vol.13 No.2, pp.169 - 183

Received: 20 Jan 2020
Accepted: 13 May 2020
Published online: 24 Sep 2020 *

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