Going from Open to Closed Molding

Stringent environmental regulations have open mold composites manufacturers re-evaluating their use of hand lay-up and spray-up. In the United States, except for very small operations, hand lay-up and spray-up users have two basic options for regulatory compliance:

Continue to use open molding but follow specific “Maximum Achievable Control Technology,” or MACT, requirements for materials and equipment.
Convert composites manufacturing to non-press molding closed-mold processes: resin transfer molding (RTM), RTM Light, vacuum-assisted RTM (VARTM) and resin infusion.

Whatever path a composites manufacturer chooses for compliance, AOC offers superior resin chemistries that meet specific needs for efficient processing and end-use properties. AOC technicians are available to assist customers in optimizing materials and process technology.

Benefits of Closed Molding

For more and more manufacturers, converting from open to closed molding appears to be the more practical solution for ensuring competitiveness and growth over the long term. Open mold manufacturers who switch to closed molding can discover such major benefits as:

A cleaner and healthier environment is created for families and neighbors.
Lower workplace emissions improve worker morale and productivity as well as help meet regulations calling for reduced volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions.
A more consistent, repeatable process improves quality, reduces labor costs and makes composites more competitive with alternative materials.
Reduced cycle times improve productivity and speed the return on investment costs.
Higher strength-to-weight ratios are more easily achieved to make the lightweight advantage of composites even more attractive.
Products can be more complex and technical, again making composites more competitive.
Design and production is more adaptable to changes in the marketplace.
Reduced waste from closed mold technologies is more environmentally friendly and lowers materials and disposal costs.