One-Piece RTM Tool Integrated Storage Chamber
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The resin transfer moulding (RTM) process faces challenges in automating the connection of resin lines to the tool due to seal contamination, leading to tightness issues and increased cleaning efforts, which compromise process security.
Innovation Solution
A one-piece tool with an integrated storage chamber and transfer line allows direct resin charging, heating, and pressure management, ensuring resin containment and efficient transfer, reducing contamination and cleaning needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If external resin storage containers are connected to the tool via feeding lines, then resin can be supplied to the tool, but seal contamination with resin material causes tightness problems and requires considerable cleaning effort
Solution Approach 1:
The storage container is integrated directly into the tool as a single-piece form, merging the storage function with the tool structure. This eliminates external feeding lines and seals, thereby removing the source of contamination and tightness problems while maintaining resin supply capability
Solution Approach 2:
The problematic external feeding lines and seals are extracted from the system by integrating the storage container directly into the tool. This removes the contaminated components while preserving the essential resin transfer function
2Productivity
If external resin storage containers are connected to the tool via feeding lines, then resin can be supplied to the tool, but considerable cleaning effort is required before each component manufacturing
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the storage container with the tool structure as a one-piece form, the design eliminates external components that require cleaning. The integrated design allows resin to be charged directly into the tool without contamination of external feeding lines, thereby reducing cleaning time and improving manufacturing efficiency
3Manufacturing precision
If resin is transferred from external storage container under vacuum, then fiber semi-finished product is permeated with resin, but resin residues contaminate the vacuum pump
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum pump is extracted from the contamination risk by integrating the storage container directly into the tool. Resin is transferred directly from the integrated storage chamber through injection channels to the fiber preform, eliminating the need for external vacuum pumping that could be contaminated by resin residues
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated storage chamber acts as an intermediary between resin supply and the fiber preform. Resin is transferred through controlled injection channels rather than through vacuum lines, serving as a mediator that prevents contamination while achieving complete fiber saturation
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enables a more secure, efficient, and automated RTM process with reduced resin contamination and air inclusions, resulting in higher-quality, cost-effective fiber-reinforced composite components.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum pump is pneumatically connected to the tool via a second feeding line. When applying a vacuum, resin is then transferred from an external storage container, being initially under atmospheric pressure, into the tool via the first feeding line
Implementation Method 2
Optionally, the storage container may be charged with compressed air, so that the resin located there is additionally pressed into the tool
Implementation Method 3
By supplying heat by suitable heat elements to the tool and, thus, to the component permeated with resin, the curing of resin is effected, so that the individual fibers of the component are interconnected
Data Source
AI summary
This application describes a tool, an arrangement, and a method of manufacturing a component. The manufacturing of the component is achieved by a resin transfer from a storage chamber via a transfer line into a working chamber. Before the resin transfer, taking place, for example by a compressed air charging of the storage chamber, the storage chamber is filled with an amount of resin adjusted to the size of the component. Furthermore, a semi-finished product, consisting of cut-to-size reinforcement fibers, is inserted into the working chamber that is adjusted to the form of the component to be produced. Storage chamber, transfer line, and working chamber are configured in a one-piece mould casing of the tool. The application further describes a component manufactured by the above-mentioned tool or by the above-mentioned method respectively.