Composites One, along with the Closed Mold Alliance and over 15 industry partners, will host  comprehensive, ongoing demonstrations of closed-mold technology –on the show floor – during COMPOSITES 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Presentations will take place in a specially designed staging area at Booth #629, Wednesday, February 22, and Thursday, February 23.

At the event, manufacturers can experience work cells demonstrating closed-mold processes such as Light Resin Transfer Molding (Light RTM), the Vacuum Infusion Process (VIP), and Flex Molding to produce replica wind-turbine blades, a half hull, and a mini boat hull. Highlighting this year’s event will be the latest technologies that enhance closed-mold production.

New this year will be the introduction of a specially formulated CCP Composites OptiPLUS infusion resin for tooling to the Vacuum Infusion Process. Vacuum Infusion, ideal for making large and small part tooling, has benefits traditional tool manufacturing does not.

“The importance of a quality manufacturing process is key to successful tooling,” says Composites One VP Greg Shymske. “With infused tooling, manufacturers find improved heat resistance, extended mold life, faster build times, as well as a significant reduction in styrene emissions.”

Also featured this year will be Flex Molding Technology, developed by Magnum Venus Plastech, and improved upon by the Closed Mold Alliance. The program will feature a video demo of how to make a silicone bag using the Flex Mold Process. Afterward, a live demo using the same silicone bag will feature production of a replica wind blade. In addition, new Flex Molding Controls will be featured in all work cells during the two-day demonstration.

This year, the Lean Mean Closed Mold Machine will feature demonstrations of advanced composite technologies, including Axiom Prepreg, Huntsman Epoxies, MIT Recycled Carbon Fiber Preforms, and Bayer Polyurethane Resin Systems. These presentations will showcase a number of different parts including a tractor hood and a motorcycle engine cover.

“We recognize the importance that emerging technologies have to composites manufacturers today,” says Shymske.  “And by including products that offer high performance properties, no styrene emissions, and environmentally-friendly features, we will demonstrate that these products have a place in many composites markets, as well as being a perfect complement to closed mold processes.“

New to the demonstrations this year will be the launch of the Sprayomer technology by SR Composites.  This flexible bag system is well suited for a variety of parts. The demonstration will also showcase the CARTM process and benefits it offers to those manufacturers using closed molding today.

The Lean Mean Closed Mold Machine at COMPOSITES 2012 will also showcase a micro-infused resin technology that can be used in closed molding. MIRteq is a highly versatile material in so far as it is viscous at room temperature and can be poured, pumped, sprayed and machined to deliver a wide range of engineering solutions.  Access to the technology is available exclusively through Composites One.

All closed mold demonstrations will feature Magnum Venus Plastech (MVP), the industry’s leading meter/mix equipment manufacturer with specific expertise in closed mold processes and a member of the Closed Mold Alliance.  The program will also be presented with the assistance of Alliance member RTM North Technologies, North America’s leading Light RTM experts. Composites One is a member of the Closed Mold Alliance. Throughout the event, industry experts from the Alliance, along with the Composites One Closed Mold Team, will be on hand to answer questions about closed-mold processes, discuss equipment and materials, and help manufacturers learn how to put closed mold to work in their operation.

The live demos at COMPOSITES 2012 are the culmination of a joint effort between Composites One, the Closed Mold Alliance and its supplier partners: Airtech Advanced Materials Group, Airex Baltek, Arkema, Axiom, Bayer Material Science, CCP Composites, Chemtrend, Chomarat, Huntsman Advanced Materials, ITW Plexus, JRL/Marine Composites, Kit Concepts, Magnum Venus Plastech, MIRteq, MIT, Owens Corning, RTM North Technologies, RTM North Solutions,  Sprayomer, Syrgis, Vectorply, and Wacker Silicones.

“Composites One and the Closed Mold Alliance is the one place where manufacturers can find leading industry closed mold experts who can offer them a roadmap to successful closed mold conversion,” says Shymske.

Composites One
www.compositesone.com

Closed Mold Alliance
www.closedmoldalliance.com

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Filed Under: Blades, News, Turbines

 

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