Especially ergonomic - new mold carriers for RTM lightweight design

An advanced new mold carrier from FRIMO is in use at the Fraunhofer Institute for Silicate Research (ISC) to promote the development of three-dimensional lightweight sandwich components with function integration and optional bionic surfaces. This mold carrier was specially developed for operation with RTM processes and a special focus was placed on the ergonomics. Thus the FRIMO mold carrier is a pivot-lid tool carrier with a clamping force of 4,000 kN. Pivoting the upper mold clamping plate allows the upper part of the tool to be painted / cleaned in the best possible ergonomic position. This allows the manufacture of components with any surface modification, e.g. modeled after a shark skin as introduced in the Street Shark project.

In addition to the mold carrier, the new system at Fraunhofer also includes two FRIMO PURe Mix metering machines. This offers customer maximum flexibility for their projects. One metering machine is designed to have a large discharge capacity with the aim of producing three-dimensional foam cores. Since the mold carrier can accommodate tool sizes of 2,000 x 1,800 mm, a high discharge capacity is required for foaming. The second metering machine is designed for a lower discharge capacity and is therefore meant for RTM applications. Both metering machines are connected to the mold carrier with their own hose pack. This guarantees maximum flexibility with short set-up times.

The pivot lid concept of the new mold carrier makes its design significantly more compact than that of a conventional press. This was an important requirement, since space in the production area of the Technical Center is limited and required the mold carrier to be of compact design. The high clamping forces of the mold carrier are achieved through eight hydraulic cylinders on the lower mold clamping plate. The cylinders can be controlled in three circuits, making it possible to operate only the inner cylinders. Thanks to the flexible control of the hydraulic cylinders, optimum power distribution for any tool size can be achieved. The topic of safety was also given special consideration. In order to guarantee the safety during the individual positions of the mold carrier, the latter has separate pin cylinders which lock the respective axes and guarantee safe operation. This tool carrier can be used flexibly and allows customers and operators to produce various components in a three-dimensional sandwich construction.

Contact for questions and further information:

FRIMO Group GmbH
Karl-Heinz Stelzl
Tel.: +49 (0) 5404 / 886 155
E-Mail: stelzl.kh@frimo.com