Autoclave
Carbon/BMI and carbon foam form Invar alternative
For years, Invar steel has been the material of choice for tooling that must endure repeated autoclave cycling in volume part production. Invar's disadvantage is its relatively high density and resulting large mass. As processors move away from hand layup and toward automated fiber and tape placement, there is a
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Tooling Update: New dimensions in tooling
Nanoenhancements, out-of-autoclave strategies and low-pressure RTM headline efforts to increase mold quality and productivity and cut tool cost.
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Robotic trimming radically shortens Corvette fender production cycle
Plasan USA (Bennington, Vt.) molds the Chevrolet Z06 Corvette’s front fenders with hand layed, autoclave-cured carbon/epoxy prepreg. Until recently, however, manual deflashing, trimming and drilling of the demolded parts consumed more than an hour to meet requirements for edge quality and fastener hole location
Read MoreTooling considerations
The molds used for forming composites, also known as tools, can be made from virtually any material. For parts cured at ambient or low temperature, or for prototyping, where tight control of dimensional accuracy isn't required, materials such as fiberglass, high-density foams, machinable epoxy "boards"or even clay or
Read MoreHigh-volume molding methods
Compression molding is a high-volume thermoset molding process that employs expensive but very durable metal dies. It is an appropriate choice when production quantities exceed 10,000 parts. As many as 200,000 parts can be turned out on a set of forged steel dies, using sheet molding compound (SMC), a composite sheet
Read MoreFabrication methods
The most basic fabrication method for thermoset composites is hand layup, which typically consists of laying dry plies or prepreg plies by hand onto a tool to form a laminate stack. Resin is applied to the dry plies after layup is complete (e.g., by means of resin infusion) or, in a variation known as wet layup, each
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Inside Manufacturing: All-carbon composite stealth technology joins the U.S. Navy
Unique double-M hull design creates smooth air cushion for low-wake, low-weight, low-draft ship.
Read MoreMarket Trends: Standing on the Threshold
In his book by the same name, Malcom Gladwell describes The Tipping Point as “that magical moment when an idea, trend or social behavior crosses a threshold, tips and spreads like wildfire.” After decades of strong growth driven by a desire for improved performance, high-performance composites have arrived at the
Read MoreJEC COMPOSITES 2007 Product Showcase - 7/1/2007
The annual Paris conclave showcases the global expansion of composites.
Read MoreFocus on Design: Composite Engine Subframe a Popular Option on Open-Cockpit Supercar
Carbon/epoxy version of the standard steel subframe meets performance goals and reduces vehicle weight in Lamborghini’s coupé-to-convertible conversion program.
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