Reusable Bag Molding

Reusable Bag Molding

Reusable bag forming is similar to vacuum infusion processing, with the added advantage of custom vacuum bags that can be reused hundreds of times.

It eliminates disposable craft materials such as vacuum bag film and sealing tape. Sealing the vacuum bag to the mold is much faster than VIP. RSBM has excellent part-to-part consistency and easy conversion from open molding, and has become a viable alternative to open molding in many applications. The reusable bag molding includes a rigid "a" side or base mold and a flexible "B" side or counter mold, which is made of silicone, latex or other rubber-like products. The bag can be made by brushing or spraying silicone material on the base mold, and adding a seal where the bag is in contact with the mold flange. As with other closed mold processes, the base mold is filled with dry fiber reinforcement, the flexible counter mold is in place, and a vacuum is drawn through a port in the bag. A low pressure syringe pump was used to introduce the catalyzed resin through the resin port and fill and cure the cavity. The advantages of reusable bag molding include low mold cost (existing open mold molds can be easily converted), reusable and repairable bags, significant reduction in HAP emissions, and ease of training operators with relatively simple techniques.

Reusable bag molding, also known as closed cavity bag molding or CCBM, is a simple, low-cost closed mold process that combines the advantages of light RTM and vacuum infusion processes.

To watch a video of reusable bag molding, visit the Closure Molding Knowledge Center.