Composites Technology Program (9 months)

The need for composites expertise is crucial in the ever-changing marine industry. The 9-month IYRS Composites Technology Program is designed to provide a comprehensive education for the next generation of marine technicians. Where traditional technical and molding processes serve as foundational skills, the movement toward advanced molding technologies – CAD/CAM development and advanced composites – creates expanding opportunities for the industry and career paths for talented practitioners.

The IYRS generation of composites technicians will be proficient in vacuum infusion processing, advanced composites molding, CAD operations, robotic CNC plug building and composites restoration practices. After establishing a foundation of traditional technology, the program guides students into the realm of leading edge composites skills. The combination of hands-on skills with technical knowledge is designed to produce
career workers who will lead the marine industry into the future.

Click here to read the answers to Frequently Asked Questions about the composites industry and the IYRS Composites Technology Program. 

Read an interview about the Composites industry, the genesis of the IYRS program and what distinguishes this new program.

The Composites Technology Program covers the following:

Composites Fundamentals: Introduction to composites uses and applications. Establish an understanding of two major areas of composites applications – advanced composites and general composites. Develop proficiency in the safe handling of composites materials. Experience a range of composites molding processes – Open Molding, Vacuum Bagging, Vacuum Infusion Processing, Resin Transfer Molding, Filament Winding, and Advanced Composites Prepreg Processing. Establish a context for manufacturing composites products - custom molded, low volume products and higher volume production molding.

Composites Manufacturing Methods: Develop proficiency in the broad scope of composites production processing methods. Equip students with a detailed understanding of safety practices. Provide an introduction to plural component application equipment and develop state-of-the-art skills in spray equipment set-up. Develop skill in the application of in-mold coating (gel coat). Develop the practical skills and technical knowledge of a range of composites molding methods including open molding, vacuum bagging techniques, vacuum infusion processing, prepreg processing, and advanced prepreg applications in complex structures. Students will demonstrate proficiency in the execution of each of prescribed molding processes.

Composites Tooling Development: Develop the prerequisite skills for reading drawings and hands-on lofting, including exercises in manually lofting the lines for pattern (plug) development. Introduction to computer aided design (CAD) drawing and operation of computer numerical controlled (CNC) machining equipment for development of patterns. Develop skills for CNC pattern fabrication, uploading tool path files, and the operation of CNC equipment including exercises in the machining of pattern stock into a plugs used to build FRP molds. Develop proficiency in finishing machined patterns. Develop proficiency in the fabrication of FRP and advanced composites tooling, including tooling surface development, tooling laminate application, and development of mold support structures.

Composites Repair and Refinishing: Develop knowledge and skill to identify specific types of cosmetic defects and structural damage – Recognize the delineation between minor and major structural damage. Develop practical skills using cosmetic repair techniques for gel coat and paint finishes. Demonstrate proficiency in damage assessment and executing structural repairs of general composites and advanced composites. Develop skills on advanced composites repairs.