JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #71 - March 2012 - 58

innovations
other sectors other sectors

sponsored by
> Booth P80 Innovative PCD solutions for composite machining > Booth Y25

CAD/CAM for robots

Robots programmed with Robotmaster are cost-efficient tools for machining large composite parts for aerospace, automotive and energy industry applications. Clients in these industries are using the power of Robotmaster to increase their manufacturing capabilities and dramatically reduce programming time, while lowering their manufacturing expenses considerably. Robotmaster is software for programming industrial robots to perform simple to complex tasks with ease. Robot programming, optimization, simulation and program generation are integrated in a solution that leverages industry-proven Mastercam® CAD/ CAM tools. Robotmaster generates optimized, error-free trajectory programming for such tasks as trimming, 3D machining, fibre machining and placement, de-burring, polishing, dispensing, grinding and painting; enabling these typically time-consuming and costly processes to be completed in a fraction of the time previously required.
www.intercamsa.com

Seco has expanded its range of diamond-coated and polycrystalline diamond (PCD) tools. Thanks to the experience of the AOB company, Seco now offers new, modern and efficient solutions for standard machining with PCD tools. Designed for composite part machining (thermosets and thermoplastics), these solutions are characterized by 4 innovative features: 1. The sharpness of polycrystalline diamond results in improved surface finish, good fibre cut and low heat generation. These benefits minimize uncut fibres and delamination, increase productivity and improve process safety. 2. The hardness of polycrystalline diamond makes the tools more resistant to wear (increased tool life). 3. The accuracy of PCD tools results in close dimensional tolerances for greater reliability and reduced finishing operations. 4. The thermal conductivity of the polycrystalline material lowers process temperatures, which enhances product stability and allows higher cutting speeds. This results in greater flexibility, performance and process safety. AOB’s team of experts, supported by the knowledge and the local presence of Seco’s technical teams, uses its expertise to design machining tools for composite parts and industrial aluminium alloys that meet the needs of demanding application fields such as boring, milling and drilling (custom tooling).
www.secotools.com

Production
Marking a milestone in the company’s global business, Fiberforge has installed its first Relay Station in Europe – the Relay Station 2000 at Fraunhofer ICT in Pfinztal, Germany. Fiberforge is a manufacturing technology company that has developed an automated process for continuous fiber-reinforced thermoplastic advanced composite parts. Fiberforge produces high performance composite parts for leading companies in the aerospace, defense and automotive industries. Fiberforge delivers its manufacturing equipment for customers to produce parts at their own facilities, around the world. The Fiberforge patented process has revolutionized the way composite parts are produced-- rapid, automated parts in minutes. The Relay Station 2000 offers clients the ability to develop and demonstrate the production of thermoplastic advanced composite structures upward of 2 m x 2 m on a full‐scale production work cell.
www.fiberforge.com
other sectors

The carbon fibre manufacturing process can have serious environmental ramifications and be an immediate danger to human health if careful consideration is not given to emission control at the production phase of these materials. Anguil Environmental Systems, Inc. is an air pollution control provider with experience supplying systems for the destruction of hydrogen cyanide (HCN), silicone and NOX emissions often produced in the ovens and furnaces of carbon fibre plants. The company is intimately familiar with the capture, control and compliance hurdles that the processing plants face. To treat the higher-concentration exhaust streams coming from carbon fibre furnaces, Anguil has designed a specialized, multi-zone Direct-Fired Thermal Oxidizer (DFTO) whereby the nitrogen compounds are disassociated at high temperatures in an oxygen-depleted chamber. The remaining gases are quenched before moving into a secondary zone where total emission destruction efficiencies are over 99% with minimal NOX generation. For higher-flow, lower-concentration oven exhaust, Anguil also manufacturers a Regenerative Thermal Oxidizer (RTO) that is capable of 98-99%+ destruction efficiency with very low operating costs. With achievable thermal efficiencies over 96%, the RTO can operate with little to no supplemental fuel use. www.anguil.com

58 jec composites magazine / No71 March 2012

other sectors

Relay > Booth K66 Station in Europe

Emission control systems for carbon fibre processing

> Booth G43

http://www.nidaplast.com http://www.intercamsa.com http://www.secotools.com http://www.fiberforge.com http://www.anguil.com

JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #71 - March 2012

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #71 - March 2012