Course Title

Course Title: Compression Molding and Resin Transfer Molding

8 Professional Development Hours/0.8 CEUs

Course Description: The Compression Molding and Resin Transfer Molding (RTM) Course explains two of the composites technologies most commonly used in the automotive industry; compression molding (utilizing SMC) and resin transfer molding. The SMC portion of the course explains what SMC is, how it is manufactured and how it is molded into parts. It also provides details about part design features unique to this technology as well as designing for mechanical or adhesive assembly. The RTM portion of this course explains the benefits and limitations of this process and goes on to explain the RTM process. It ends with a troubleshooting guide for RTM that may be used to help solve production difficulties in a molding operation.

Overall Course Objectives:

Recognize the benefits and limitations in the usage of SMC and RTM.
Understand design processes involved with compression and resin transfer molding.
Understand manufacturing processes involved with compression and resin transfer molding.

Course Content:

Lesson 1 – Compression Molding Using SMC, SMC Manufacturing

Objectives:

Compare SMC composition to low profile SMC, and recognize the following differences: shrinkage, mechanical properties, and surface appearance.

Understand how SMC is manufactured.

Identify the stages of the compression molding process.

Lesson 2 – Design Using SMC

Objectives:

Recognize the recommendations for new vehicle platforms in designing using SMC.

Gain an understanding of design considerations of SMC components including: part
thickness, radius, ribs, bosses, and panels.

Identify methods used for adhesive design and application.

Lesson 3 – Resin Transfer Molding, The Resin Transfer Molding Process

Objectives:

Determine which variables will affect the result of the RTM process.

Indicate the benefits and limitations of the RTM process.

List and describe the three phases of resin transfer molding.

Lesson 4 – Fiber Reinforcements for RTM, Resins for RTM, RTM Equipment

Objectives:

List and compare the properties of some of the fiber reinforcements that are used for RTM.

Recognize some of the most commonly used resins in manufacturing methods, such as
SMC, BMC, and RTM.

Identify characteristics needed by the resins systems that are used for RTM processing.

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