CompositesWorld
Issue link: https://cw.epubxp.com/i/576646
OCTOBER 2015 62 CompositesWorld applications, they are optimized for automated tape laying (ATL) applications, as well as for oven processing. TenCate Composite Molded Billet Stock is being ofered in 25.4-mm to 76.2-mm thick molded and machined billet stock from thermoset bulk molding compounds (BMC). Billet stock is ofered in plates up to 356 mm wide by 711 mm long. Billet stock has the tensile strength of aluminum with 40% weight savings. Billet stock also may be used for hard-point attachments and saves layup costs of thick laminate fabrication. TenCate's TC890 polyimide high-temperature prepregs, using polyimide resin from PROOF Research's (Columbia Falls, MT, US) P2SI, will be highlighted. PROOF Research's P2SI's 900HT resin is a high-temperature, non-MDA replacement for PMR 15 applications. A US Air Force- funded design allowables database on 900HT is being fnalized. The prepreg made with this resin is on T650-35/8HS fabric. The design allowables database will be made available to interested parties. Further, a complete P2SI 900HT toolkit is being developed under Integrated Computational Methods for Composite Materials (ICM2) activities, which includes integra- tion into the commercial process modeling and simulation software COMPRO and RAVEN (Convergent Manufacturing Technologies). www.tencateadvancedcomposites.com Thermwood Corp. (Dale, IN, US), a manufacturer of 3- and 5-axis CNC routers, will emphasize its new program to develop a 3D additive manufacturing system capable of making large "carbon graphite"-reinforced thermoplastic composite components. Thermwood's system uses a "near net-shape" approach where a relatively large extruder, mounted to the machine, is used to heat, melt and deposit, or "print," the carbon graphite-flled thermo- plastic material to quickly create a structure that is almost, but not quite, the fnal shape. That structure, when it cools and hardens, is then 5-axis machined to net shape. These new systems will be based on Thermwood's Model 77, semi-enclosed, high-wall gantry machine structures, which are currently ofered in sizes up to 18.3m long. For the plastic extruder, Thermwood turned to American Kuhne (Ashaway, RI, US), a provider of engineered solutions for plastic, rubber and silicone extrusion, which developed a custom system that integrates closely with Thermwood's CNC machine. With the addition of a second gantry, the additive and subtractive processes can be performed on the same machine. A second subtractive gantry will be ofered as an option. Thermwood's system will feature a full 6-axis articulated additive deposition head, allowing it to build layered structures on a horizontal plane as well as planes canted in any direction up to 90° from horizontal. Thermwood's initial development machine, which is nearing completion, can make parts up to 3m long by 3m wide by 1.52m high, is equipped with a 20-hp, 44.5-mm diameter, 24:1 L/D extruder and support equipment capable of processing more than 45.4 kg/ hr of material. www.thermwood.com | www.americankuhne.com Vectorply Corp. (Phenix City, AL, US) is introducing at CAMX VectorLam Cirrus 2.0, the latest edition of Vectorply's proprietary laminate analysis software. Version 2.0 provides a cloud- based, multi-platform-compatible approach to classical laminate theory and provides a suite of services across diversifed market segments. This upgrade from the Excel-based version of VectorLam allows users to build and access laminates on nearly any Internet-connected device. VectorLam Cirrus 2.0 is designed to help users achieve goals of stifness, strength, weight and out-of- autoclave processing solutions for you ptfs (production to functional Specifcation) provides bespoke processes that save you time, material and money. By challenging convention, we use our expertise to deliver the best composite processing solutions for you. Visit our website to discover how our PtFS process out- performs conventional methods across a range of temperature, cycle time and energy consumption metrics. t +44 870 013 1235 (UK) t +1 972 699 9976 (USA) t +886 2 226 96669 (TAIWAN) t +81 332 443 771 (JAPAN) www.surface-generation.com caMX Dallas #W78 SHOW PREVIEW