JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #95 - Special JEC Europe - March 2015 - 63

Focus

Fig. 3: Hybrid suspension arm developed with CETIM

Fig. 4: Rotary hot forming tool with automatic
welding

Compose is a French SME that specialises in industrial solutions for the efficient manufacture of
composite or plastic parts. The company proposes several dedicated services to its customers:
- Design and manufacturing of innovative tools/moulds to process composites (RTM, hot forming,
SMC, lay-up and preforming) and thermoplastics (PEEK, PPS, injection and overmoulding).
- Design and manufacturing of production lines/special machines: automatic RTM production lines
for high volumes, out-of-autoclave moulds and plug & play solutions.
Thanks to its extensive background, Compose can advise customers in their technological choices
at every stage of the project. To be at the forefront of technology, the company has its own
research department with four engineers and is involved in many French or international collaborative research projects. Innovation, know-how and competitiveness are the skills in its offering.

automotive markets. CT1 has industrial
equipment installed in a confidential and
independent building for thermoset and
thermoplastic hot forming and RTM
technologies. A strong partnership with
the value chain players is required. In most
cases, manufacturing a composite part
consists in "making materials and part at
the same time". Therefore, it is necessary
to be able to integrate all the components
of the value chain well in advance of the
development stage. Several partners are
involved with CT1's and Compose's teams
to achieve these goals.

- give the "go /no go" to the cell's other
equipment: injection, pressurization, curing, cooling, disconnect and tooling exit;
- manage injection (could be sequential);
- manage vents.
There is a dynamic interaction between
the cell's various pieces of equipment and
a live recording of the various process
parameters.Finally, this patented solution
provides costs savings as it eliminates
the use of supplies and consumables (PA
pipes, copper pipes and seals) and optimizes resin use. It also reduces the impact
of waste on part cost. n
More information:
www.compose-tools.com

New materials
Fig. 5: 3D composite structural part developed with
Latécoère

Fig. 6: Hot forming press

Industrialization
of composite processes
The Compose Group - through its subsidiaries Compose, CT1 and Global RTM
- is a player in these cost-cutting solutions.
It is involved in every step of the process to
bring not only innovative industrial solutions, but also to implement them.

Innovation: CT1's backbone
With a team dedicated to research, CT1
is actively involved in the development of
concepts that enable composites to achieve
the production goals set by aerospace and

CT1's facility allows testing new composite materials in order to define the
best production settings. To this end, the
company has a range of equipment including a hot forming line, an infrared furnace
(400°C), one- and two-component injection units, three vertical presses, a 6-axis
robot, etc.

Automated injection/vacuum
head for RTM
Compose, together with Isojet, developed
an injection and vacuum system that
makes it possible to, automatically and
without human intervention:
- connect the injection head,
- connect the vacuum to the mould,
- connect fluids and sensors.
This module is supervised and controlled
by the injection unit though the pressure,
flow and temperature sensors set up in the
tool. This makes it possible to:
- control the tool before heating and
injection;
- manage vacuum cycles (automatic test of
tool vacuum);

Fig.7: Automatic injection/vacuum connexion system

No95 March 2015 /

jec composites magazine 63

http://www.compose-tools.com

JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #95 - Special JEC Europe - March 2015

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #95 - Special JEC Europe - March 2015