KEY PARAMETER OPTIMIZATION AND EXPERIMENTAL VALIDATION OF INDUCTION HEATING FOR THE WELDING OF THERMOPLASTIC COMPOSITES

The 3D finite element analysis of the dynamic and coupled electro-magneto-thermal modules was employed to explore the effects of coil and process parameters on the effectiveness of high-frequency electromagnetic induction heating. Taking these parameters as controlling factors, first the influential degree of a single factor on the induction heating through the control variable method was analyzed, and the suitable parameters were then screened out by comparing the influential degree of each factor. Next, with the filtered results of the single-factor test as a basis, the orthogonal design method and the principal component analysis were applied to investigate the significance of each parameter on the induction heating and determine the best combination of multiple parameters for achieving a high heating rate, large heating area, and optimum temperature uniformity. Finally, the validity of the simulation results was verified by analyzing the relative difference of the simulated and measured peak temperatures.