Virtual RTM / VM Training

Virtual training course for RTM / VM mold construction & production process

Course Overview

As a process technology, Resin Transfer Molding (RTM) and Vacuum Molding (VM) offer enormous potential for quality and productivity improvements over the open molding or similar composite molding processes.

The use of RTM or VM will remain below its optimum potential to serve the industry unless the industry has full access and awareness to these three key essential ingredients.

  • A source of proven, affordable technology to enable an FRP fabricator to quickly build inexpensive, accurate tooling in house.
  • Support for the fabricator in the form of a comprehensive package of RTM and VM peripheral products and services.
  • The availability of inexpensive but versatile and reliable injection equipment.
  • Continuous training to provide the operator technicians with the skills to understand how and why elements of the process are critical.

JHM Technologies, Inc. is solely dedicated to the Resin Transfer Closed Molding industry by providing intensive training courses for the design and construction of low mass composite tools based on proven techniques developed over the last 40 years providing each of the above listed key essential ingredients each molder needs.

The JHM Technologies team has developed low-mass composite tooling technology that overcomes the limitations associated with traditional RTM molds, by reducing weight and typical cavity consistency problems, while offering methods for extending the tool-life. History has proven worldwide that RTM tooling can be built in-house by the FRP fabricator at low-cost and high accuracy once they have attended our program.

Our mold building courses provide comprehensive instruction in building RTM tools for simple industrial parts to complex and dimensionally accurate, cored structures for production in any of the large range of resin systems.

The RTM / VM Molding course will address all aspects of LRTM & VIP mold design, construction and injecting parameters. The course is an intensive theoretical and practical program with 4 weeks of lectures, videos, and written instruction. It is based on proven technology and is designed to provide attendees with the knowledge and techniques required to immediately and confidently apply RTM to their individual requirements. Class size is limited to individual companies to ensure that each in attendance obtains the full program benefits and has access to individual attention without any concerns of competition. The RTM / VM course is not just for FRP fabricators, but also for suppliers of materials and equipment. Our world-class specialists run all aspects of the courses.

What You’ll Learn

  • How to Lock-in tool accuracy to the highest tolerances.
  • Overcome complicated product shapes involving undercuts and high aspect ratio geometries.
  • How to ensure mold maintenance is maintained as primary lifeline to success.
  • Make products with accurate cores.
  • Build in sensors for process monitoring and added control.
  • Learn just how uncomplicated the RTM or VIP mold building and managing the processes can be.
  • How to troubleshoot actual root cause of the most common defects which create the post mold rework common to the those in the industry without this insight.
  • All attendees receive a comprehensive manual and certificate of completion.

Meet Your Instructor

John Moore is the President and Founder of JHM Technologies, Inc., known internationally as one of the industries ethical leaders and innovators who strives to support and grow the composites industry!

With over 40 years of hands-on industry experience, creator of the Infuser Series along with custom turn-key FRP solutions. John instructs with the view of having been responsible for OEM Tier 1 Automotive process development and production controls. One who appreciates both the needs of the resin chemistry, reinforcements, and mold design knowing all must be practical for the application and the workforce alike.

  • Instructor: John Moore
  • Experience: 40+ Years
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What Will We Cover?

These topics and many more in detail throughout the course

Understanding the positive injection pressure RTM process:
Injection pressure, flow rates, fill times and their effect on tool design and construction. Process considerations of resin flow paths working from center and edge point injections, advantages of each will be covered.
Low mass verses heavy tooling:
Effects of temperature on tool life and problems associated with thermal mass. Advantages of Low Mass tooling will be covered as it relates to the capital equipment needed in comparison to the Heavy tooling options.
Pattern design and preparation:
Flanges, draw angles, and undercut or “die lock” consideration wil be covered in detail.
How to guarantee part accuracy:
Eliminating the problem of laminate shrinkage, which will ensure mold cavity accuracy.
Building the back tool:
Designign the upper tool composite matrix and frame structure. Lockign in repeatable tool accuracy through the clamping system.
Finishing and production preparation of the tool:
  • Preparing the tool surface focusing on avoiding sanding or premature surface wear.
  • Proper release agents and their application.
  • Installing the mold seals.
  • Properly loading reinforcement materials and maintaing placement within the tool cavity.
Tool life and care:
Replacing the tool face inexpensively.
Getting started:
  • Material prices, wastage rate, formulas for costing.
  • Understanding resin to glass ratio.
Resin Systems and Reinforcements:
  • review of available resin systems and their properties.
  • review of reinforcement types, applications and sources.
Filler and Their Effects:
  • Impact on surface finish and mechanical physical properties of the laminate.
  • Priority curing techniques, surface finish requirements.
Injection machines:
Comparing their true features and limitations. Other Topics Included RTM Peripheral Products and Services JHM Technologies offers a complete line of mold construction materials and peripheral products required by the RTM mold builder. Whether just getting started with RTM or already enjoying the benefits of this technology, we have all the products you need, when you need them. Please refer to tooling products page for further details.
Our sole mandate is the servicing of your total RTM needs:
  • We also cover related technology and new systems
  • New ZIP™ (Zero Injection Pressure) technology
  • Automatic machine catalyst monitoring & data logging
  • Automatic injection valves
Understanding the VM process:
Injection pressures, the balance between the injection pressure and cavity vacuum flow rates, fill times and their effects on the overall process.
Flange and resin channel:
Effects of clamping force through vacuum gallery in perimeter flange and the precise resin flow control developed by the resin channel.
Pattern design and preparation:
Flange design, draw angles, and undercut considerations.
Building the rigid face tool:
  • Materials and their properties, close to surface heaters, or internal water lines advantages of each.
  • Designing and building / attaching the back up frame.
  • Understanding how to apply simple light weight over-center clamping.
Defining the part to be molded:
  • Working with dimensional wax.
  • Designing product cut off.
  • Establishing optimum Catchpot(s) Location.
  • Designing for ribs, cores, bosses and inserts etc.
  • Handling complicated shapes, blind alleys and undercuts etc.
Building the semi flexibile back tool:
  • Designing the proper support into the flange.
  • Allowing for a transparent area around the Catchpot while maintaining additional stiffness in nominal areas of the upper mold.
  • Determining if added rib structure is needed for additional processability.
Finishing and production preparation of the tool:
  • Preparing the tool surface.
  • Release agents and their application.
  • Installing the mold seal.
  • Reinforcement materials and placement.
Other topics included:
  • Total Automated RTM & VM systems including full mold manipulation and highly efficient screw driven Manipulators.
  • Catalyst and cure systems.
  • Production rates and plant layout.
  • Cast aluminum tooling.
  • Reinforcement preforms.
  • Tool heating design and application.
  • Heater control pack design. mechanical screw driven.
  • Manipulators.
  • Understanding the different catalyst and cure systems.
  • Planning production rates and plant layout.
  • Review of preforms and cold-formable reinforcements advantages and disadvantages of each.
  • Tool heating design and application.
  • Heatercloth transformer and P.I.D. control pack design.

Homework Policy

Success in any training requires some focus and research by the student. In the case for this training course there are some online videos that will be assigned to watch to enhance what is covered each week.

Certificate of Achievement

Each student will receive a certificate having completed the JHM Technologies, Inc. RTM / VM training course. Additional advance training courses are available to ones successfully completing the course. Details available upon request.

Course Details and Registration

Course fee, payment terms, and additional details

Course Fee:

Details on our virtual training course are coming soon…

Fee Includes:

  • JHM Technologies Tooling License, comprehensive Course Manual, plus full practical and theoretical training with hands on demonstrations.

Payment Terms:

  • A non-refundable deposit of $500.00, per student, is required to be sent with the registration form
  • The balance must be paid in full prior to the commencement of the course.

Legal

Course fee includes all training manual(s) and certificate(s). License for single company use of copyright information is also included.

  • A deposit of $500.00 is required with your completed registration form.
  • Registration will not be accepted without a deposit.
  • Full balance is due no later than the beginning of the course.

Cancellation Policy

All cancellations made thirty working days prior to the commencement of the course will receive a full refund less administration costs.

Cancellations made less than thirty days before the course will be subject only if a replacement can be found. All cancellations must be confirmed in writing.

Special Notice

PARTICIPANTS UNDERSTAND THAT THEY WILL RECEIVE CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION AND UNPUBLISHED. COPYRIGHTED MATERIALS ON THE DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION AND USE OF RTM MOLDS AND THEY WILL NOT DISCLOSE OR COPY SUCH INFORMATION IN WHOLE OR IN PART.

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