C-RTM Process: Full Scale Composite Parts with a Two Minute Cycle Time

C RTM Process PEI

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

  C RTM Process

  1. Rapid closure of the press to a precision gap, full vacuum is applied to the tool cavity
  2. Precisely metered resin is rapidly injected into the gap on top of the preform surface
  3. Press is closed completely compacting and fully impregnating the preform to the final dimensions

C RTM line

 

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

 

C RTM capex

Benefits

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

 

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 

 

Video