Videos

Showing various aspects of our work and illustrating some of the processes involved.

HX50 Helicopter Tooling Project

Composite Integration are pushing the boundaries of traditional composite processes alongside Hill Helicopters to developed multiple tooling and process techniques to manufacture a highly complex 5 seat single turbine helicopter fuselage, as a single moulding without bonded joints. Recent recognition of this work includes selection as one of two finalists in the JEC Composites Innovation Awards – Aerospace Application category.

Building a composite VRTM Mould

This video shows the practical stages of building a composite VRTM (RTM Light) Mould.The process is shown starting from a CNC machined pattern and finishes with the injection of the completed mould and the production of the first component.

Composite Integration not only provide a mould-building service but also the practical training necessary for our customers to build moulds in-house.
We also offer a unique range of injection equipment, vacuum equipment and all the ancillary mould-building items that are necessary to produce this type of tooling.

VRTM Test Panel Mould Demonstration

This video shows a vacuum-clamped RTM test-panel mould in use.
This type of mould has been supplied by Composite Integration to R&D facilities, Universities and Research Institutes around the world for the production of accurate laminates whilst having full control and visibility of the process.

We use this type of mould to assess different materials (resin, fibre, cores etc) and to demonstrate the RTM process at a fundamental level.
Moulds can be produced in a variety of sizes and can also include adjustable cavity thickness and integral heating. Mechanically clamped moulds to suit higher injection pressures are also available.

Silicone Spray Vacuum Bag Demo

This video shows the process of making and using a reusable silicone vacuum bag using the Silicone Composites spray system.

Composite Integration not only provide a Silicone Bag design and build service but also the practical training necessary for our customers to build in-house.
We also offer a unique range of injection equipment, vacuum equipment and all the ancillary mould-building items that are necessary to produce this type of tooling.

Infusion Moulding with a reusable silicone vacuum bag

This video shows the process of making and using a reusable silicone vacuum bag using the SC4 Silicone Spray machine.

Composite Integration’s expertise in designing and building world-class processing equipment has enabled us to offer a superb range of mould inserts and ancillary items specifically designed for use in silicone moulds and to compliment the Silicone spray equipment range.

VRTM (RTM Light) Dinghy Production

This video shows the moulding of a 3 metre dinghy using the VRTM process (L-RTM or RTM Light)

This method allows the moulding of integral foam cores and results in a smooth moulded internal finish and consistently accurate laminate thickness.

You can compare this process with exactly the same dinghy being moulded by the resin infusion process in the next video.

Resin Infusion of 3m Dinghy using Ciject Equipment

This video shows the resin-infusion of a small dinghy hull using a standard Ciject meter-mixing machine to supply mixed resin directly into the infusion.
Although this is a relatively small structure, the principal of controlled ‘direct infusion’ is currently used to manufacture some of the largest production-infused structures in the world with quantities of resin greater than 8 tonnes being injected by specially developed Ciject equipment.

Larger infusions often require multiple resin flow-runners and a manifold is used to divert resin from the machine to the various inlet points on the mould.
The advantages of mechanising the resin feed include the removal of the manual resin mixing process, the avoidance of any manual contact with the resin and the prevention of ‘bulk exothermic reaction’ problems.

You can compare this process with exactly the same dinghy being moulded by the Vacuum RTM process (VRTM or Light RTM) if you watch the previous video.

(The original 3m dinghy was designed by student Jack Cunningham as part of his course at Falmouth Marine School)

RTM test panel mould with variable cavity thickness

This video shows the general operation of a flat panel RTM mould with a screw-adjustable cavity. The mould can be heated with water or oil and can be fitted with a range of in-mould sensors for monitoring the injection process.

This type of mould has been supplied in various formats to universities, material laboratories and research agencies around the world.

Vacuum RTM (VRTM, RTM Light) Demo

A simple demonstration of the Vacuum RTM process. The video shows the operation of a typical composite VRTM mould.

The mould is clamped using atmospheric pressure (vacuum) and is then injected with resin at low pressure using a Ciject injection machine.

The resin is injected into a peripheral channel that allows it to flow around the outer edge of the moulding and then fill towards a central vent point (fitted with a catch-pot)

VRTM Test Panel- Core Comparison Test

Composite Integration manufactures a range of test-panel tooling in various configurations. This video shows a simple composite mould being used to make a panel containing two different core materials.

This panel was made as a simple demonstration of the RTM moulding process but this type of equipment is currently used by many of the worlds leading research establishments and materials developers.

bigHead fasteners moulded-in with VRTM Process

This video shows how threaded ‘bigHead’ fasteners can be inserted into the mould tool and securely embed in the finished product.

Building The Broadblue Rapier 550: A video showing the vacuum infusion of a large complex boat hull.

Vacuum resin infusion reduces weight and material costs, and is a much cleaner process to work with than open lay up.

Specialist Cornish high performance boat-builder Multimarine infused the hulls and wet deck of the new Broadblue Rapier 550, making it the largest single-shot infused catamaran in the UK.