Compression Resin Transfer Molding: C-RTM

C-RTM (compression resin transfer molding) is a process which enables to produce high performance structural composite parts within a two minutes cycle time.

In 2017, the C-RTM Process won the JEC Group Innovation Award.

C-RTM

HP-RTM

Average cycle time

2 minutes

4 to 10 minutes

Fixed cycle time

Independent of part size

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X

Net shape

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X

100% raw material usage

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X – Sprue

Thermoplastic resin compatible

Under certain conditions

Under certain conditions

Thermoset resin compatible

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√

High Pressure (HP) injection compatible

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Process performances

 Product performance:

• Repeatability

• Fiber volume: up to 60%

• Inline monitoring

• Porosity <2%

• Flexible: supports several manufacturing processes

• No fiber distortion from process

• Lights out manufacturing: fully automated process

• Yields stable part geometry

• Net-shape

• Thermoplastic & Thermoset resin compatible

• 30 parts/h

Eco Compact Sustainable Press (ECS PRESS)

• Press tonnage: 1500 Tons
• Opening and closing speed: 800 mm/s
• Platen size: 2 m x 1,5 m with parallelism control

RTM equipment and tooling

• Innovative modular tooling (net-shape, thermally optimized)
• Optimised temperature control system (current flow tube technology)
• Thermoplastic and thermoset high-pressure injection machines (30-250 cc/min)

Automation

• Dedicated control room
• 6 axis robots (x2) – 700 kg capacity
• Modular prehensors (for preforms and composite parts)

Inline monitoring, data saving and post-processing

• Online controls (preform and part)
• Centralised acquisition and archiving of process parameters
• Energy consumption measurement