The Institute for Lightweight Construction and Plastics Technology (ILK) in Dresden, Germany recently commissioned two high-pressure resin transfer molding (HD-RTM) dosing units from Frimo (Lotte, Germany) that feature enhanced flexibility to carry out a variety of processing tasks. Respectively, the two new units allow epoxides and polyurethane resins to be processed in combination with endless-filament reinforcement into high-performance fiber composite components.

To allow for the widest possible range of component sizes and tests, the machine output ranges were designed to be wide. The first dosing machine is configured for a range of 33-166 g/s with epoxide matrix material and the second unit for a range of 10-65 g/s with polyurethane matrix material. By consistently separating the two matrix material families, the risk of interactions during material changes is minimized. The dosing machine for the PUR matrix material can also be used for S-RIM applications.

In outfitting the dosing machines, particular importance was given to ensuring user-friendliness for laboratory use. This includes, for example, a mobile visualization unit to display all process-relevant parameters at a glance. In addition monitoring devices are also fitted to the machines to clearly display the main process parameters.

Process-relevant parameters can also be seamlessly documented and archived and the data interface provided can be flexibly configured to specific customer needs in order to facilitate transfer of project-relevant data to other systems.

To facilitate the frequent changes of material that are necessary for testing purposes, the day containers in the main machine frame have been arranged in such a way that they can be optimally drained. To ensure the widest possible range of applications these can also be pressurized using vacuum or with pre-charge pressure using dry air.

For flexible and versatile use in different areas of the laboratory it was also essential that the ILK units be compact and easy to transport. The Frimo solution met these requirements without problems, since all of the sub-assemblies of the machines are mounted on a base frame.

The purchase of these two systems has enabled the ILK to take into account the particular characteristics of different resin systems and also their different processing properties. As part of a development partnership Frimo continues to be involved in developments in the field of high-pressure RTM injection on a production scale.