RAMPF Boosts Boatbuilding Efficiency With High-Performance Tooling Materials

RAMPF Group, Inc. is presenting high-performance tooling boards and Close Contour Pastes based on polyurethane and epoxy designed to enhance efficiency and sustainability in boatbuilding and marine component production at IBEX in Tampa, FL, from October 7 to 9 – Booth 3-1145.

Key Takeaways

1. RAMPF’s comprehensive range of RAKU^® TOOL styling, modeling, and working boards combine outstanding mechanical properties with exceptional surface quality. The high-performance materials are used, amongst others, for the manufacture of exterior and interior marine components, composite lay-up tools, master patterns, and laminating molds.

2. RAMPF RAKU^® TOOL Close Contour Pastes are applied to near-net-shape substrates, significantly reducing material consumption, production waste, and machining time for milling and finishing.

3. For large-scale modeling, specially developed Close Contour Pastes enable low-pressure processing, reducing equipment strain and allowing low-sag vertical application up to 1 ½ inches in a single step.

Board Materials – Engineered for Maximum Performance

RAKU^® TOOL styling boards made from polyurethane deliver exceptional surface quality and outstanding dimensional stability. The product range encompasses materials with densities of up to 31 lb/ft2 that are suitable for both CNC machining and manual processing.

Product highlights:

• RAKU^® TOOL SB-0160 – Ultra-lightweight board designed for fast, easy machining and bonding of marine design models and mock-ups.
• RAKU^® TOOL SB-0240 – Mid-density board that balances weight and durability, ideal for FRP molds and marine styling models requiring detailed surfaces.
• RAKU^® TOOL SB-0320 – Higher-density styling board for marine master models requiring smooth surfaces and strong edge retention for fine detailing.

RAKU^® TOOL modeling boards exhibit good chip formation, fine surface finishes, and excellent dimensional stability. Available in densities from 38 lb/ft² to 50 lb/ft², these polyurethane systems are easy to mill on CNC machines and can also be processed manually.

Product highlight:

• RAKU^® TOOL MB-0720 – High-density board offering excellent surface quality, low thermal expansion, strong dimensional stability, and high compressive and flexural strength for the fast, precise production of direct-to-mold, plugs and patterns, and direct part manufacturing.

RAKU^® TOOL working boards, available in epoxy and polyurethane formulations with densities from 44 lb/ft² to 106 lb/ft², offer outstanding dimensional stability and enable fast, precise machining. Epoxy working boards are widely used as lay-up tools for composites and have become a benchmark solution across multiple applications.

Product highlight:

• RAKU^® TOOL WB-0801 – Dense, stable board ideal for marine molds, jigs, cold molded parts, and prepreg lay-ups, delivering accuracy and durability under heat and pressure.

RAMPF offers specially formulated polyurethane and epoxy adhesives that are precisely matched to the company’s RAKU^® TOOL board range. These adhesive systems feature excellent adhesion, smooth flow properties, and easy handling, with rapid curing at room temperature.

Commitment to a greener future – By integrating up to 30% chemically recycled raw materials and reclaiming up to 50% of inhouse production residues, RAKU^® TOOL boards from RAMPF set a strong example for sustainable innovation in high-performance tooling.

Close Contour Pastes – Unmatched Quality, Unrivaled Efficiency

RAMPF RAKU® TOOL Close Contour Pastes are two-component epoxy systems designed for direct application to near-net-shape substrates such as EPS, wood, and the RAMPF styling board RAKU® TOOL SB-0064. This significantly reduces material consumption, production waste, and machining time for milling and finishing.

Close Contour pastes allow fast, low-sag application on vertical surfaces and cure quickly at room temperature, enabling immediate CAD milling. The low dust, low exotherm thixotropic systems feature

• Very fine and homogeneous surfaces

• Very good edge strength

• High compressive strength

• High temperature resistance

• Excellent adhesion to substrates and top coats

• Excellent finishing properties

RAMPF has developed Close Contour Pastes for large-scale modeling that are engineered for low-pressure processing, minimizing strain on meter mix equipment. These materials enable seamless processing of large-area sections with overhead application up to 1 ½ inches thick.

Product highlight:

• RAKU® TOOL CP-6071/CP-6072 – Lightweight, machine-applied epoxy paste for creating large, seamless marine plugs and molds with minimal milling and waste.

Visit RAMPF at IBEX 2025 to discover the future of marine tooling with advanced boards and Close Contour Paste technology – Booth 3-1145!