Have You Heard of RTM?
You probably know hand lay-up, chop, and vacuum infusion techniques, but RTM?
It stands for “Resin Transfer Molding”, and is a closed mold technique used to manufacture small to medium parts.
Common in the automotive industry and less common in boat building. Some boat manufactures have adopted RTM production for small parts like lids and hatches.
RTM gives you a finished underside of the part. Also extremely important is thickness control.
Using an a and b mold, the cavity between the two molds can be closely controlled.
This achieves repeatable, uniform, and predictable thicknesses. The Resin Transfer Molding has virtually no waste.
Molds are reusable. Other than the hoses used for resin, there are no consumable materials.
NorthStar Vega Lite tenders are RTM- single shot production.
A unique aspect of the process is the foam-filled cavity between the deck and hull. This adds rigidity and eliminates the need for stringers and secondary bonding.
100% composite construction with zero wood, RTM process achieves a high-quality, strong, and light durable boat with very consistent results.
This enables us to manufacture the hull and deck as a single piece. This method ensures a very high level of consistency. It eliminates an incredible amount of rework and waste.
NorthStar is proud. It is one of the only known manufacturers to completely build one shot, one piece RTM hulls.
Specs
| Model | Northstar Vega 3.5 |
| Length | 3.50 m / 11’6″ |
| Beam | 1.80 m / 5’11” |
| Weight | 142 kg / 313 lbs |
| Maximum persons | 4 |
| Tube fabric | Hypalon |
| Tube diameter | 45 cm / 1’6″ |
| Tube pressure | 0.18 bar / 2.6 psi |
| Number of chambers | 3 |
| Maximum hp | 25 hp |
| Shaft length | L |
| Fuel tank capacity | 25 l / 6 US Gal |
| Design category | CE – Cat C* |
* discover what this means