Composite Fabrication Training

for General Manufacturing

www.rrc.ca/tac | tacinfo@rrc.ca
Whether you are new to composite
manufacturing and looking for foundational
composite skills training; an operator who needs
to learn more about other key processes in
composites fabrication; a lead hand or manager
who would like to more deeply understand
composites processes; or you simply want to
learn more about how composites are made,
these courses are for you!

Red River College, in collaboration with the Composites

Innovation Centre, has developed a number of new
comprehensive, hands-on training courses designed specifically
to support the general manufacturing composites industry.
These modular training courses provide the foundational
knowledge and critical hands-on training required to effectively
work in the fibreglass manufacturing industry as an operator, or
with the inclusion of Module 5, a composite tool maker. Training
focuses on processes and materials commonly used in the
fibreglass manufacturing industry, including gelcoat spraying,
fibreglass laminating, resin infusion moulding and composite
tool manufacture. If you are new to the industry, the first four
modules can be taken in sequence to help develop general
competency. If you are already in industry and wish to review or
learn more in targeted areas of development, you can choose
the specific modules you are interested in taking. Each course
has been designed and developed in cooperation with the
fibreglass industry.
www.rrc.ca/tac | tacinfo@rrc.ca

© 2014 Red River College

1. Foundational Skills - Duration: 5 days
The Founational Skills module is recommended for beginners
who may have limited exposure to manufacturing or those
who would like to improve these skill sets. Following the
training course, individuals will be able to read drawings, check
the quality of work through measuring tools, know how to
select and use basic hand and pneumatic tools, and will have a
working understanding of shop safety.
Topics covered include:
• Mathematics
• Blueprint reading
• Precision measurement
• Shop safety and WHMIS
• Basic tool handling

© 2014 Red River College

2. Composite Materials and Manufacturing
Process Overview – Duration: 1 day
This classroom-based module will provide students with the
ability to recognize and differentiate between composite
processes, reinforcements, and commonly used equipment in
the fibreglass industry. This training course is recommended
either for beginners who may have limited exposure to a
variety of fibreglass manufacturing, or for individuals working
in the manufacturing industry who want a deeper overview of
composites manufacturing processes.
Topics covered may include: - Woven cloth
• What are composites and - Core materials
overview of common processes - Application of reinforcement
in industry equipment
• Overview of open moulding • Review of the various equipment
required and used in composite
• Overview of closed moulding manufacturing
• Resins including epoxy vs. • Advantages/disadvantages of
polyester each process including:
• Reinforcement knowledge - Hand lay-up moulding
including coverage of: - Spray-up moulding
- Surfacing mat (veil) - Resin transfer moulding (RTM)
- Chopped strand mat - Lite resin transfer moulding (LRTM)
- Roving - Resin infusion moulding
- Woven roving

© 2014 Red River College

3. Open Moulding – Duration: 2 days
Through a combination of classroom and hands-on training,
individuals will gain the essential knowledge to safely produce
consistent, high-quality open moulded fibreglass products.
This module is recommended for beginner operators or
operators or managers who would like to expand their skillsets
or improve the consistency of their parts.
Prerequisites: Recommended Modules 1 and 2 for those new
to the industry. For those already in the industry wishing to
take this one course, a minimum of one month of fibreglass
manufacturing experience is recommended.
Topics covered may include: - Controlling cure time
• Overview of open moulding - Adding fillers and additives
techniques - Cup test to determine gel time
• Safety when handling resin • Demoulding of parts
materials • Trimming of composites:
• Techniques for gelcoat spraying - Machining cured composites
- Drilling and countersinking
• Gelcoat basics and spraying - Trimming cured composites
• Practical project: gelcoat spraying • Mould maintenance (mould
• Troubleshooting gelcoat cleaning and prep)
• Cure process of composites: • Student project: make an open
- Weight/volume measure moulded part and trim

© 2014 Red River College

4. Closed Moulding – Duration: 2 days
Through a combination of classroom and hands-on training,
individuals will gain the essential knowledge required to safely
produce consistent, high-quality closed-moulded fibreglass
products. This module is recommended for beginner operators
or operators or managers who would like to expand their
skillsets or improve the consistency of their parts.
Prerequisites: Recommended Modules 1 and 2 for those
new to the industry. Prior completion of Module 3 is
recommended. For those already in the industry wishing to
take this one course, a minimum of three months of fibreglass
manufacturing experience is recommended.
Topics covered may include: • Gelcoat spraying (techniques for
• Overview of closed moulding closed moulding)
techniques: - Hands-on project: Spraying a
- Materials and processes closed mould
- Matrix and reinforcements • Pump and injection equipment
- Light resin transfer moulding - Typical processing materials,
(LRTM) resins and reinforcements
- Closed cavity bag moulding:
disposable bag • Viscosity
- Closed cavity bag moulding: - Viscosity cup test/viscometer
reusable bag • Student project: Make an LRTM
- Resin transfer moulding (RTM) part

© 2014 Red River College

5. Composite Tool Maker – Duration: 10 days
Through classroom and hands on training, individuals will develop
the skills and knowledge that are essential when starting a career
in composite tool making. Individuals will have the opportunity to
build tooling for open and closed-moulding processes and produce
parts from the moulds they have created. This advanced module
is designed for individuals with previous, extensive experience
working with fibreglass manufacturing and who have an aptitude for
problem solving and producing high quality work.
Pre-requisites: Modules 1, 2, 3 and 4 or equivalent fibreglass
manufacturing experience. A minimum of one year in fibreglass
manufacturing is recommended.

Topics covered may include: • Mould break-in procedures

• The master model (plug) - Sanding procedure
- Description of process and - Polishing procedure
shrinkage - Test for shine
- Construction materials - Trim lines
- Master model construction - Release wax/mould release
- Surface quality/gelcoating system/PVA and gelcoat blow-
- Master model preparation coating
- Release wax/mould release
• Mould maintenance process
system/PVA and gelcoat blow-
- Procedure and repair
coating
- Golden rules of production
• Building a mould procedure Tooling (Love thy mould!)
- Mould design considerations
• How to build an LRTM counter-tool
and shrinkage
- Description of process: RTM
- Tooling gelcoat, barrier coat,
refresher/materials/injection
and resins
port location
- Skin coat
- Preparing the mould
- Bulking materials
- Seal function and installation
- Practical project: Building a
details
mould (gelcoating/skin coating
- Apply release (PVA)
and bulking)
- Information on: Sheet waxing
- Bracing
and seals, gelcoating, pulling
- Framing
vacuum and wet laminating
- Practical project: Bracing
- Semi-permanent mould release
and framing
systems
- Practical project: Final release
and trimming
• Student project: Make a part

Note: Topics taught in all 5 modules are subject to change without notice.

© 2014 Red River College

 in collaboration with

To learn more or to register, please contact:

Red River College
2055 Notre Dame Ave.
Winnipeg, MB R3H 0J9
E-mail: tacinfo@rrc.ca
Web: www.rrc.ca/tac
Tel: 204.632.3978