A thermoplastic RTM process for large series
KraussMaffei will be demonstrating the production of an automotive fiber composite structural component with metal inlays under series production conditions at K2016. Frames for the roof shell of the Roding Roadster R1 sports car will be created several times a day at the trade show booth. The individual steps prove how complex the process is while being cycle-time-optimized at the same time. The four sub-preforms and the aluminum and steel insert are first positioned on a gauge. This is followed by riveting the steel insert with one of the sub-preforms. A handling robot then positions the aluminum bracket and the preassembled hybrid components in the T-RTM mold. Here, the caprolactam is injected and the subsequent chemical reaction tales place in which the material cures into the thermoplastic Polyamide 6. After the reaction time expires, the handling robot removes the finished component. The use of what is called the near net shape approach, which takes the part close to its fin...
