Fwd: Wet molding as the cost-effective alternative to the HP-RTM (high-pressure RTM) process
Tolga Yirmibeşoğlu
Gönderen: "Feyyaz Yücel" <afy...@gmail.com>
Tarih: 12 Şub 2016 17:49
Konu: Wet molding as the cost-effective alternative to the HP-RTM (high-pressure RTM) process
Alıcı: "AFY" <afy...@gmail.com>
Cc:
CFRP components in increasingly shorter cycle times
The injection moulding machinery maker will present two processes for moulding automotive components at JEC next month.
Injection moulding machinery maker Krauss-Maffei will present wet moulding as the cost-effective alternative to the high-pressure resin transfer moulding (HP-RTM) process at the JEC Show in Paris in March.
In comparison to classic RTM processes like HP-RTM and compression RTM, wet moulding is characterised by a simpler process chain in which the preform process is omitted completely. For this reason, wet moulding is a cost-effective alternative for manufacturing new lightweight components in vehicle manufacturing, according to KraussMaffei.
During the wet moulding process, a mixing head applies the resin onto the flat-lying semi-finished fibre product in continuous strips. The fibre product is then passed on to the mould, where it is compression moulded. This process has two decisive advantages. It saves cycle time, since the resin can be applied to one component at the same time as the other is curing in the mould. The system can also be more reactive. Charging is no longer necessary in the heated mould, in which a reaction cannot yet occur. These two factors save time, leading to shorter cycle times. Recycled fibres can be used for the process which makes wet moulding a suitable option for industrial processing of recycled fibres in the RTM process.
KraussMaffei wet moulding lines are also characterised by a high degree of automation, ensuring short cycle times and high numbers of pieces. KraussMaffei will present current application examples from the mass production of the new 7 series BMW and the i8 electric car at the JEC show.
KraussMaffei will also exhibit a process that involves the thermoforming of semi-finished products, called organic sheets, and injection moulding in one process. The strength level of fibre-reinforced plastic components is increased through this procedure. The fully automated process enables short cycle times of less than 60 seconds. Using an airbag housing from Takata as an example, KraussMaffei has further developed the process in multiple steps, resulting in a weight reduction of around half, compared to the first reference component, as well as a reduction of cycle times and manufacturing costs. This was due to switching from polyamide to polypropylene as a material for the organic sheet matrix and injection moulding, as well as switching from short glass fibre to long glass fibre reinforcement.
The upper floor panel manufactured for BMW using wet moulding