Press system to speed up aero-structural manufacturing
Billed as the 'world's largest' resin transfer moulding (RTM) system, it aims to reduce large component process times and maintain aero-structural part standards.
The new RTM was developed by Austrian machine manufacturer Langzauner, in collaboration with the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC), UK.
It is claimed large components can be processed in four hours compared to traditional methods that last 40 hours.
The system features a 10,500mm x 3,500mm platen size, delivers a pressing force of up to 2,400t and is integrated with Industrial Internet of Things – allowing data collection for artificial intelligence applications.
Other features include:
- Press-force-regulation accuracy of 0.1%
- Advanced sliding table system accommodating 180t mould mass
- Plate parallelism control within hundredths of a millimetre
- Individual cylinder control with active parallelism management
- Gap injection functionality with two-axis rotation capability
The RTM press system will arrive at AMRC’s innovation facility in South Yorkshire, UK, in March 2025.
