Nonlinear Model Predictive Control of UV-Induced Thick Composite Manufacturing Process

In this paper the nonlinear model predictive control (NMPC) of UV-induced curing of composite material for manufacturing of thick parts is proposed. The process involves layer-by-layer curing of thin composite laminates to form thick part. The model for NMPC switches when a new layer is added to the existing layer. The layer addition times are determined externally. The offline optimal control is used to determine the optimal time and temperature profile which will give uniform cure distribution of a thick composite material. Once the temperature trajectory and optimal time sequences are found, the NMPC is implemented for online control. The objective is to determine theoretical optimal behavior (assuming the process measurement is available) which will be used for online switching NMPC for tracking the reference temperature.Mechanical Engineerin