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Integrating mixture experiments and six sigma methodology to improve fibre‐reinforced polymer composites
BDX Företagen AB, Luleå, Sweden.
Sigma Industry, Luleå, Sweden.
Luleå University of Technology, Department of Social Sciences, Technology and Arts, Business Administration and Industrial Engineering.ORCID iD: 0000-0003-1473-3670
2022 (English)In: Quality and Reliability Engineering International, ISSN 0748-8017, E-ISSN 1099-1638, Vol. 38, no 4, p. 2233-2254Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

This article illustrates a Six Sigma project aimed at reducing manufacturing-induced visual deviations for fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites. For a European composites manufacturer, such visual deviations lead to scrapping of cylindrical composite bodies and subsequent environmental impact. The composite bodies are manufactured through vacuum infusion, where a resin mixture impregnates a fibreglass preform and cures, transforming from liquid to solid state. We illustrate the define-measure-analyse-improve-control (DMAIC) steps of the Six Sigma project. Specific emphasis is placed on the measure and analyse steps featuring a 36-run computer-generated mixture experiment with six resin mixture components and six responses. Experimental analysis establishes causal relationships between mixture components and correlated resin characteristics, which can be used to control resin characteristics. Two new resin mixtures were developed and tested in the improve step using the understanding developed in previous steps. Manufacturing-induced visual deviations were greatly reduced by adjusting the resin mixture to induce a slower curing process. Further refinement of the mixture was made in the control step. A production scrap rate of 5% due to visual deviations was measured during a monitoring period of 5 months after the resin mixture change. The scrap rate was substantially improved compared to the historical level (60%). The successful experimental investigation integrated in this Six Sigma project is expected to generate increased quality, competitiveness, and substantial savings.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
John Wiley & Sons, 2022. Vol. 38, no 4, p. 2233-2254
Keywords [en]
curing, define-measure-improve-control (DMAIC), experimental design and analysis (DOE), mixture design, resin mixture
National Category
Composite Science and Engineering
Research subject
Quality technology and logistics
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:ltu:diva-88910DOI: 10.1002/qre.3067ISI: 000744792200001Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-85122811960OAI: oai:DiVA.org:ltu-88910DiVA, id: diva2:1631775
Note

Validerad;2022;Nivå 2;2022-05-09 (sofila)

Available from: 2022-01-25 Created: 2022-01-25 Last updated: 2022-05-31Bibliographically approved

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Vanhatalo, Erik

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