• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.505-511
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• 2016

The aim of this study is to investigate the thermoforming characteristics of an inner case with three refrigerator cavities using three-dimensional(3D) thermoforming analyses. We perform fundamental formability analyses using a 3D model of the mould for the inner case. We carry out tensile tests at the elevated temperature to examine the properties and characteristics of the thermoformed material. Then, we design sub-processes of the thermoforming process for the inner case. In addition, we develop suitable finite-element models for different sub-processes. We investigate the deformed shapes and thickness distributions of the inner case for different sub-processes using the results of the thermoforming analysis. Finally, we discuss the formability and thermoforming characteristics of the inner case with three cavities.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.29 no.9
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• pp.946-957
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• 2012

The objective of this paper is to investigate into the development of a thin flat panel photo-bioreactor case with characteristics shapes. The thin flat panel photo-bioreactor case was designed to be manufactured from a plastic thermoforming process. A proper design with a relatively high rigidity was obtained through the structural analyses for different designs of the photo-bioreactor case. The thermoforming analyses were performed. From the results of the thermoforming analyses, a proper forming condition and the formability of the designed plastic photo-bioreactor case were estimated. The thermoforming moulds for the flat panel photobioreactor cases were manufactured. The thermoforming experiments were performed to examine the manufacturability of the designed flat panel photo-bioreactor cases. From the results of the thermoforming experiments, it was shown that thin flat panel photo-bioreactor cases with characteristic shapes can be manufactured from the designed thermoforming mould and process.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.30 no.7 s.250
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• pp.849-856
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• 2006

In this paper, fabric composite draping on hemisphere moulds were studied to find out the deformation behaviour of micro-tow structures of fabrics during draping and thermoforming. Aluminium and PVC foams were used to fabricate the hemisphere moulds for draping tests. In order to observe the local tow deformation pattern during the draping several specimens for microscopic observation were sectioned from the draped hemisphere structures. The effect of forming condition and mould properties on tow deformation was investigated by the microscopic observation of the tow parameters such as crimp angle. Normalization scheme was performed to compare tow parameter variations with different forming conditions. Stress-strain .elations of two different PVC foams (HT70 and HT110) were tested to investigate the effect of foam property on the micro-tow deformation during forming.