CCBM Technical

CCBM is an acronym for Closed Cavity Bag Molding. A unique, patented manufacturing technique developed by ARCTEK INC. which employs a form-fitted, re-useable vacuum bag in conjunction with a hard contact mould, typically to manufacture parts from thermoset plastic resin and fiber reinforcement media.

CCBM is vacuum-bagging made simple. It offers the open mould fiberglass shop real world competitive advantages which no other resin transfer molding (RTM) or vacuum infusion process (VIP) can match.  Though vacuum bagging has it's roots in high-tech industries (especially aerospace), traditional vacuum bagging techniques have been focused on part quality - with NO emphasis on the economics of competitive manufacturing. The high cost of single use polyethylene or PVA film bags and the general high labor input and excessive waste (peel-plies, breather-plies, flow media, sealing tapes and more "disposables")  have prevented the traditional vacuum bagging technologies from gaining acceptance. RTM and LRTM moulds present the challenge of double-mould maintenance and handling, increasing your labor costs and using up space in the shop.  CCBM makes resin transfer molding practical - and cost effective.

The Primary Mould


The primary mould can be made of standard composite materials, metal, aluminium. Typical open moulding moulds can be easily converted by addition of a peripheral flange around the upper trim edge the mould to a width of between 200 - 250 mm. Some vacuum proofing may need to be done such as blow holes or cracks.

The bag


The bag construction in a closed cavity bag mould (CCBM) is dependant on the complexity, size and cross section of the part to be made. Thin section parts of relative simplicity afford the easiest conversion to CCBN. The type of reinforcement to be used will be influential in determining whether a liner ( generally an FRP shell ) is needed to define the inside surface of the bag.

In cases where the reinforcement type and thickness are too great then compensation must be made in the bag to accomodate the load size. The nature of the silicone bag allows for considerable stretching and or compression of the bag during the placement and loading of both the reinforcement and the bag. The bag design allows for accurate fitting to the primary mould face even with a varietyof reinforcement types and loads and can accomodate cores and special reinforcements without modification. The recommended procedure for bag construction is to fabricate a part in the mould, hand finish the inside surface to the desired smoothness and contour then make the bag from this surface.




How do I begin?


Firstly you need to purchase the 'CCBM STARTUP KIT'. 

The CCBM STARTUP KIT is the best way to get started in CCBM resin infusion. Included are all the necessary materials and know how required to build a small (approx 1m2) CCBM bag for an existing mould....this is "Closed Cavity Bag Moulding 101" in a box.

We recommend that you build a flat R&D mould for your future investigative beginnings. The flat R&D mould and bag are extremely useful for future resin and reinforcement evaluations and for working up laminate structures prior to commissioning new moulds and parts.

Once you have purchased your 'CCBM STARTUP KIT' you will be a licensed CCBM user and all the expertise in CCBM from ARCTEK Inc will be available to you through your supplier, 'Logi-Comp System Solutions' . We can provide onsite training or group training at our Gold Coast headquarters - please contact us for current rates.


CCBM STARTUP KIT INCLUDES

CCBM licence                                                            
CCBM training manual - "available online"                                                 
CCBM training DVD                       
R&D mould instructions
Access to 'customer only tips online'
4 * PROFLEX NS 850g silicone cartridges - approx 1m2 bag
1 * Jumbo cartridge dispenser
1m2 * CONFORTEX FABRIC
9 mtrs * FLEXSEAL "D" adhesive backed gasket
2 * PROPORTS with clamps
1 * ZIP tool
 plus more

For more information or purchase of the CCBM STARTUP KIT follow this link :     STARTUP KIT



                                                                                  Photos of CCBM in action follow :  CCBM Gallery