20 - Aprile - 2023

 

The Resin Transfer Molding (RTM) process offers significant advantages for manufacturing high-performance composite materials, including superior surface finish, net-shape geometries, high mechanical properties, and reduced production times and resource consumption. However, strict process control is required to ensure proper resin impregnation into the dry fiber while avoiding common defects such as dry spots, porosity, and rapid flow channels, which can affect the final component’s performance.

These control strategies largely rely on operator intervention and the data available during the process, limiting productivity to low-volume manufacturing environments. To address this, SM@RTM aims to enhance RTM process competitiveness by integrating predictive digital technologies, in-situ process monitoring, and automated control systems, providing real-time support at all production stages.

SM@RTM Implementations:

• Infrared thermography-based artificial vision systems for monitoring the manufacturing process of dry fiber preforms using Automated Fiber Placement (AFP).
• Embedded sensors within RTM molds for flow front monitoring and parameter evaluation, utilizing fiber optic sensor (FOS) technology and commercial DC sensors.
• Automated closed-loop control system for injection parameter regulation.
• Implementation of Digital Twins for both AFP preforming and RTM processes, integrated into a Human-Machine Interface (HMI) with Reduced Order Model (MOR) simulations, enabling real-time decision-making support on the shop floor.
• New automated composite mold manufacturing technologies using Fused Granulate Fabrication (FGF) for one-shot injection of 3D components.

SM@RTM Consortium Members:

• CiTD (Getafe, Madrid): A leading company providing comprehensive innovation and product engineering services since 2015, continuing the aerospace and defense engineering activities previously carried out by ITD.
• SYSPRO (Nigrán, Pontevedra): Specializing in automation, integration, industrial software, and artificial vision engineering.
• IDAERO (Montepríncipe, Madrid): Focused on developing software for post-processing in CAE engineering applications, particularly in finite element analysis (FEM).
• COMPOXI (Girona): An expert in manufacturing and processing high-performance composite materials for aerospace applications using various manufacturing techniques.

Additionally, subcontracted research entities supporting the project include:

• AIMEN (Porriño, Pontevedra): A technology center specializing in composite material processing, digitalization, and automation.
• IMDEA Materials (Getafe, Madrid): A research center specializing in experimental material science developments.

The SM@RTM project is funded under the Aeronautical Technology Program (PTA) and subsidized by CDTI through its 2022 call, with a duration of 26 months (2022–2024) and a total budget of €1,551,133.99.

Project SM@RTM (PTAP-20221007) financed by:

File Number: PTAP-20221007
Acronym: SM@RTM
Project Title: INTELLIGENT, ADAPTIVE, AND SUSTAINABLE TECHNOLOGIES FOR AGILE AND ZERO-DEFECT MANUFACTURING OF COMPOSITE MATERIALS THROUGH RESIN TRANSFER MOLDING PROCESSES
Granted Subsidy (€): 1,551,133.99 €
Duration: 2022 – 2024
Description: Aeronautical Technology Program (CDTI), 2022 Call

This project is funded by the Ministry of Science and Innovation and subsidized by CDTI.

For more information, visit the SM@RTM project website: https://www.smartm-id.com/