500mm x 500mm RTM (Mechanically Clamped) outer shim-plate cavity thickness adjustment
A mechanically clamped panel mould with cavity adjustment using peripheral shim plates:
- Both mould halves include oil/water heating channels or integral electrical heating with appropriate insulation.
- The appropriate peripheral shim plate is used to define the panel cavity thickness. The mould seals between the top faces of the shim plate and the bottom faces of the shim plate.
- The mould is mechanically clamped and so can be used at positive pressures (maximum 3 bar positive).
- Both mould halves are designed to maintain accuracy at positive pressures.
- Injection is via a peripheral injection gate with a central vent.
- The upper mould is hinged and supported with gas-struts for ease of operation.
Tooling Options
| Item/Option | Notes | Part/option Number |
|---|---|---|
| 500mm x 500mm RTM mechanically clamped test panel mould with outer shim-plate thickness adjustment | XM-5104 |
|
| Shim plates (Water-jet cut from stock plate) | Note: Only one shim plate can be used at any one time | |
| 1mm (±0.1mm) | -02 |
|
| 2mm (±0.15mm) | -03 | |
| 3mm (±0.2mm) | -04 |
|
| 4mm (±0.24mm) | -05 | |
| 5mm (±0.25mm) | -06 | |
| 10mm (±0.36mm) | -07 |
|
| Machined shim plates (±0.05mm) | Available above 5mm | TBC |
| Optional sensor mounting detail – One Port | One Machined hole to accept IMPS pressure sensor or thermocouple. Includes blanking plug. | -21 |
| Optional sensor mounting detail – Two Ports | Two machined holes to accept IMPS pressure sensor or thermocouple. Includes blanking plug. | -22 |
| Optional sensor mounting detail – Three Ports | Three machined holes to accept IMPS pressure sensor or thermocouple. Includes blanking plug. | -23 |
| Optional sensor mounting detail – Four Ports | Four machined holes to accept IMPS pressure sensor or thermocouple. Includes blanking plug. | -24 |
Heating Options
Heating:
- Oil/water heating is recommended for heating up to 150°c (see option 08)
- Electrical heating is recommended for heating up to 180°c. Two options are available for electrical heater control (see options 09 & 11)
Note: Protective insulation will be required for moulds operating above 50°c, option 13 will need to be specified if going above this temperature.
Water/oil heating unit comprising:
- Supplied with stainless steel braided hoses
- Temperature control unit with digital display of the set and actual temperature with 1/10 Degree to read in °C or °F
- Heating switchable in stages, from 3kW oil operation to 9kW water operation
- Heating capacity: 9kW water operation, switchable in stages 3,6,9kW. 3kW oil operation
- Pump capacity: Motor 0.75kW
- Power Supply: 400V 50Hz 32A 3P+N+E
Electrical Heating: Standard control unit comprising:
- PID temperature controller with K type thermocouple feedback from mould
- Control system to comprise all necessary electrical safety and gear control including backup overtemperature protection system
- Power supply: 400V 50Hz 16A 3P+N+E
- Numerical display of setpoint and current temperature
Electrical Heating: Advanced control unit comprising:
- PID temperature controller with K type thermocouple feedback from mould
- Control system to comprise all necessary electrical safety and gear control including backup overtemperature protection system
- Power supply: 230V 50Hz 16A 1P+N+E
- Controllable ramp rates for heating and cooling
- USB Port for datalogging as standard. Data is logged to CSV format (readable with Power BI or Excel)
- Additional datalogging inputs for thermocouple and pressure sensor options available
- 4” touchscreen control with graphs of heater temperatures
| Heating Option | Notes | Part/option Number |
|---|---|---|
| If the tool is to be used above 50°C, OPTION 13 will need to be specified | ||
| Water/oil heating/temperature control unit | -08 | |
| or | ||
| Electrical Heating: Standard control | Top plate heating | -09 |
| Second Zone | Bottom Plate Heating | -10 |
| or | ||
| Electrical Heating: Advanced control | Top Plate Heating | -11 |
| Second zone | Bottom Plate Heating | -12 |
| Additional Inputs | Additional inputs for: - 3 x 0-10V (pressure sensor outputs) - 3 x Type-K thermocouple inputs Will be displayed on screen and logged to a connected USB Note: Only available for advanced control, electrical heated option. Does not include the thermocouples or sensors. | -31 |
| Insulation Blanket | -13 |
How to specify / order
How to specify/order: To specify a mould configuration use the main mould part number followed by the required option numbers separated by a hyphen.
E.g. XM-5104-01-04-05-09-10 specifies a adjustable-cavity VRTM mould + one sensor mounting detail + 3mm shim+ 4mm shim + standard electrical lower mould heating + standard electrical upper mould heating
