April 13, 2010

Italian group Cannon presents at JEC 2010 a new high-productivity RTM process for automated production of Epoxy composites for automotive and other mass-production markets.

Lightweight, thin-walled composite mouldings of complex shape and large dimensions, made with Epoxy resins and Carbon or other continuous fibres, can be produced at very reduced cycle times with ESTRIM (Epoxy Structural Reaction Injection Moulding), a new technology announced by Cannon at JEC Composites Exhibition.

ESTRIM is based on the right mix of technologies able to achieve fast cycle times and automated production of Composites. High-pressure metering, mixing and injection of a properly formulated family of liquid Epoxy components in a closed mould decreases demoulding times from 20-30 minutes to 2-3 minutes, maintaining optimum mechanical properties and surface aspect characteristics, the company said.

Another feature is the self-cleaning mixing heads: they eliminate the use of flushing or cleaning solvents, achieving significant economic savings and environmental advantages. These heads can be permanently fixed on the tools, speeding up the production and eliminating leakage problems from the injection point.

The high-pressure injection, in combination with closed-loop controlled metering systems guarantee repeatability of the dispensed weight from shot to shot. This provides high standardisation of the moulded parts and avoids unnecessary overfilling of the mould, with all relevant advantages (material savings, no leaks, cleaner working environment, no emissions of vapours from the moulds, much lower scrap rate).

Source:  Polimerica.eu