CompositesWorld
Issue link: https://cw.epubxp.com/i/450689
CompositesWorld.com 43 Product Showcase » MOLD PREPARATION Water-based, semi-permanent release Chem-Trend (Howell, MI, US) has launched Zyvax TakeOf, a new water-based, semi- permanent release agent formulated for aerospace manufacturers that use vacuum- bagging and autoclave-curing technologies to fabricate parts from carbon fber/epoxy prepreg. TakeOf does not require a sealer, in most cases, when used on high-quality mold surfaces. Applied to molds by wiping or spraying, the release can be used on tools of varying temperatures, thus reducing the required downtime to allow the mold to cool, as is sometimes necessary when using solvent-based release agents. Additionally, Chem-Trend says there is minimal transfer of the release agent to the molded part. That reportedly eliminates or signifcantly reduces the need for cleaning the demolded part prior to a post- mold processing (e.g., painting and bonding) that requires optimum adhesion. For parts that do require cleaning, a mild detergent and water will remove transferred release agent. www.chemtrend.com » MACHINING SYSTEMS Large-format waterjet cutters OMAX Corp. (Kent, WA, US) has expanded its line of MAXIEM JetMachining waterjet machining centers. The frst fve models in this "next-generation" product line were introduced to meet customer demands for cost-efcient, high-performance waterjet cutting tech- nology capable of greater productivity. The lineup now comprises eight models, including the new 2060, 2080, and 3060 JetMachining Centers. Designed to machine parts up to 2m wide, the 2060 and 2080 can handle lengths of 6.25m and 8.3m, respectively. The 3060 JetMachining Center boasts a wider work envelope, for the machining of a wide range of materials and thicknesses, from metals and composites to glass and plastics. This machine features y-axis cutting travel of 3.1m. » TEST EQUIPMENT Video extensometer Instron (Norwood, MA, US) has introduced a new video extensometer, the AVE 2. It conforms to testing standards ISO 527, ASTM D 3039 and ASTM D 638. The second-generation unit is described as a fully integrated device that adapts to the normal fuctuations of environmental conditions in the lab and can be adapted to any testing machine on the market that uses a ±10V analog input (performance depends on the system). Designed to reduce errors from thermal and lighting variations that are common in most labs, the AVE 2 uses a real-time 490-Hz data rate with ±1μ accuracy. The AVE 2 measures the modulus and the strain-to-failure of almost any material, including composites, plastics, metals, textiles, flms, bio-materials and more. www.instron.com Onboard each machine is OMAX's Intelli-TRAX linear drive system, which features brushless servomotors, integrated servodrives and high-precision linear encoders that provide constant and continuous feedback on the actual position of the cutting head. The result is faster, smoother motion with increased part-cutting accuracy. The all-in-one Windows 8 controllers come pre-loaded with the OMAX Intelli-MAX Software Suite, which reportedly eases generation of complex geometries. www.omax.com » SOFTWARE Enhanced fatigue analysis MSC Software Corp. (Newport Beach, CA, US) has released MSC Nastran 2014 and Patran 2014. Nastran 2014 provides enhancements to its solver-embedded fatigue functionality as well as improvements in performance and ease of use. These include upgrades to the external super-element (SE) capability to provide users with the ability to rotate, move or mirror a primary external SE; new capability to activate and deactivate rigid elements in subcases and improve fexibility; multiaxial assessment for insight into validity of standard stress-life or strain-life fatigue analysis; and support for the industry-standard remote parameter control (RPC) fles. Patran 2014 supports the new fatigue analysis capabilities, delivers improvements to nonlinear analysis support and provides support for the new capabilities of MSC Nastran and MSC Fatigue. Its CAD import/export capability has been signifcantly improved to support recent CAD systems and is 25% faster. The GUI drives the new MSC Nastran Embedded Fatigue capabilities. As model size increases to ensure greater fdelity of the model, Patran 2014 has been enhanced to provide faster visualization. www.mscsoftware.com NEW PRODUCTS