Manufacturing Processes and Capabilities

QUALITY PARTS SINCE 1976

719 Long Drive - PO Box 207 Piqua, OH 45356-0207		Phone (937) 778-1936 Fax (937) 773-5642 retterbush@retterbushfiberglass.com



There are many fiberglass reinforced plastic molding processes available to the designer. Each process has its own characteristics, as well as its own limitations as to part size, shape, production rate, compatible reinforcements, and resin systems. The staff at Retterbush Fiberglass Corporation has experience in many of these other FRP processes. If a customer requires any assistance in picking a process, a visit to the facility, or a phone call will help decide what is best for each customer's product. The most common FRP processes that are performed daily at Retterbush Fiberglass include:

	LPSMC is used for medium to high production. It is similar to SMC but can be molded at less pressure. This feature allows larger parts to be molded, using less expensive molds than conventional SMC. The ability to hold close tolerance, mold in inserts, and have two finished sides is making this a very competitive method of producing fiberglass parts. This process is also referred to as LPMC.

	RTM is suitable for medium to high production. RTM has the advantages of relatively low tooling cost coupled with small or large structural part capability. The ability to hold close tolerances and have two finished sides also accounts for much of its growing popularity in industry.

Hand lay-up and spray-up are low to medium volume molding methods suitable for making boats, tanks, housings, machine components and other shapes. These processes provide only one finished surface. Several of its major benefits include low tooling cost and its ability to make extremely large parts economically. Hand lay-up is also used in the prototype phase of product development by many companies.

The company philosophy is that the better the mold, the better the product. So, the staff strives to produce only the best molds for each particular application. This means taking into account the molding process, number of parts required, and the cost. Retterbush Fiberglass is capable of manufacturing molds made of many materials ensuring the best mold material will be used. Some of the molding materials used are polyester, epoxy, aluminum, and steel.

	We have successfully manufactured parts up to 16 feet tall, 10 feet wide, and 14 feet deep as well as parts as small as 1 inch square. Although the average size part is about 4 feet square. We can manufacture just about any size part you desire.

	We currently have 12,000 square feet of indoor heated mold storage to assure that your molds will stay clean and ready to run quickly and efficiently.