C-RTM Process: Full Scale Composite Parts with a Two Minute Cycle Time
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.
Process
- Rapid closure of the press to a precision gap, full vacuum is applied to the tool cavity
- Precisely metered resin is rapidly injected into the gap on top of the preform surface
- Press is closed completely compacting and fully impregnating the preform to the final dimensions
C-RTM | HP-RTM | |
Average cycle time | 2 minutes | 4 to 10 minutes |
Fixed cycle time Independent of part size | √ | X |
Net shape | √ | X |
100% raw material usage | √ | X – Sprue |
Thermoplastic resin compatible | Under certain conditions | Under certain conditions |
Thermoset resin compatible | √ | √ |
High Pressure (HP) injection compatible | √ | √ |
Benefits
Process performances | Product performance: |
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Applications
Automotive
Structural and non-structural parts
- Body in white
- Side door beams, door panels, lift gates, interior components
Exterior components
- Hood, roof, fender, front clip
Aerospace
- Low temperature component
- Secondary structure, cabin interior components
- Blades
Industries
- Railway interior components
- Building construction
- Naval
- Sports and leisure
Technical features
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