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Group Rhodes Ltd
AMRC and Rhodes Interform press on with new composite forming world-class facility.
Rhodes Interform recently completed the installation and testing of a world-class composite forming facility at the University of Sheffield’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC).
Project Remit
Rhodes Interform recently completed the installation and testing of a world-class composite forming facility at the University of Sheffield’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC).
AMRC’s original brief was to design, develop and manufacture a composite press that could ‘do it all’ and allow manufacturers to scale up their prototyping of composite material forming and use it as a facility to assist a wide range of UK companies to stay at the leading edge of composite development.
The Rhodes Solution - Capable of various composite forming
The state-of-the-art facility, comprising a 10,000 kN hydraulic press with three-axis loading, high-pressure RTM, twin die transfer tables, thermal fluid heating and electrical heating system options (depending on the forming temperature) and a die splitter, is capable of a wide range of composite forming, including:
Open and Closed Moulding
Resin Transfer Moulding (RTM)
Pre-preg
Compression Moulding
Thermoplastics
Benefits
World-Class Facility
AMRC has a world-class composite forming facility
Allows manufacturers to scale up composite forming testing with help and expertise from the team at AMRC
This press can be used to form HR-RTM components with the ability to apply load in all X, Y and Z axis for multi-piece tooling
Versatility
Ability to form using a wide range of composite forming techniques
Able to form complex composite components of varying sizes from small to very large (approximately 2m x 3m)
Able to form using multiple composite materials and processes
Supporting Research, Development & Prototyping Requirements
Support manufacturers' composites research and development
This press is available to hire for research and development of composite forming
Designed with a versatile prototyping capability
Supply Chain
Collaborative working amongst several partners
This machine was developed using a local, dedicated supply chain
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https://www.rhodesinterform.co.uk/news/group-rhodes-are-delighted-to-welcome-our-new-lead-hydraulic-engineer-paul-williamson
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