Resins
Scott Bader Stand number: D45
Scott Bader will be highlighting its new high performance resins and epoxy bonding gel-coat products. These include new Crestapol® high performance pultrusion and closed mould resins and components made from Crestapol 1210 and 1212 will be shown on the stand. These tough, low viscosity, high reactivity resins are based on urethane acrylate chemistry. The main advantages of these resins over unsaturated polyester or vinyl ester resins are said to include: very fast cure — no need for post cure; higher productivity — faster pultrusion haul off rates and rapid closed mould cycle times (under 7 minutes); and higher mechanical properties.
Crestapol 1210 and 1212 are reported to produce tough, dimensionally stable parts with excellent surface finish. 1210 is recommended for manufacturers looking for a cost effective, high productivity closed mould resin, which handles easily, even highly filled. 1212 is designed for pultrusion. It is also ideal for making closed mould or pultruded parts which must meet high fire, smoke and toxic fume test standards as it can be heavily alumina trihydrate (ATH) filled. Crestapol resins are suitable for rail, metro, truck, bus, and building applications.
Scott Bader will also be highlighting Crystic® RTR 4000PA, a rapid tooling resin which cures using an MEKP catalyst, which has been developed to provide better handling properties and improved shrinkage control. Available from March 2009, Crystic RTR 4000PA is compatible with the brush tooling gel-coat Crystic 14PA and Crystic VE 679PA, a vinyl ester/DCPD skincoat, to provide a high performance Matched Rapid Tooling System to make high quality FRP mouldings.
Another innovation is a polyester gel-coat for use with epoxy resins, which will provide a reliable, permanent bond with wet lay or prepreg epoxy resin systems, giving many operational, cost and performance advantages over a conventional epoxy gel-coat. The Crystic Epoxy Bonding range offers a brush, spray, low odour and fire retardant option. All are pre-accelerated, isophthalic gel-coats, which use a standard MEKP catalyst. Scott Bader says the product is easier and quicker to apply than a conventional epoxy gel-coat, it has a faster de-mould time (gel time under 10 mins, tack free less than 75 mins), is much quicker to do any repairs, and it offers better ultraviolet (UV) and weathering resistance.
AOC Stand number: U58
AOC will focus on corrosion-resistant composites and highlight equipment and systems made with Vipel® resin technology. Vipel-inclusive applications are specified for power generation, civil infrastructure, chemical processing and other market sectors where long-term durability and high strength are essential. For example, in Springfield, Illinois, USA, the air quality control system of a new clean-burning coal power plant includes a composite stack liner manufactured with fire-retardant Vipel vinyl ester. Foto Plastic Glass used two different Vipel resins for components of the large scrubber system installed at a manufacturing complex in Southern Italy. The composite components resist attack from highly corrosive waste fumes as they are converted into emissions that meet Europe's strict air quality standards. Channeline International Ltd in Dubai also used a dual-material strategy to mould composite panels that relined 70-year-old sewers in Los Angeles. By manufacturing with two different Vipel resins, Foto Plastic Glass and Channeline achieved the optimum balance of cost and performance.
AOC is also building on its North American experience in cured-in-place pipe rehabilitation of sewers with increased applications around the globe.
Cray Valley Stand number: H44
To answer the increasing need for fire safety in mass transit systems and buildings, Cray Valley is launching a fire resistant system that meets new stringent requirements in terms of heat release, smoke opacity and toxicity. Specific resin and gel-coat grades have been developed for each market sector. For instance, an M1F1 system, according to French standards, is available for the building market, and a HL 2/HL 3 solution for the railway sector (new European standard EN 45545). The benefits of these products over existing products are said to include: easier part processing (hand lay-up, spray up, pultrusion, etc); better cosmetics; increased productivity; and increased user safety since there are no halogens or CMR raw materials used.
Ashland Performance Materials Stand number: J64
Ashland will be highlighting Derakane® and Hetron® resin technologies, its complete Pliogrip® structural adhesives portfolio, the Instint® gel-coat colour service, and other technologies for the composites industry.
Ashland Performance Materials is a global supplier of unsaturated polyester resins and vinyl ester resins. It also provides customers with technologies in gel-coats, pressure-sensitive and structural adhesives, and metal casting consumables and design services.
Huntsman Advanced Materials Stand number: G65
Designed to meet the requirements for large-scale production of high temperature PEM and phosphoric acid fuel cells in automotive and backup and stationary power applications, Huntsman has developed two new resins for producing lighter weight graphite composite fuel cell bipolar plates. The composite plates are said to have superior corrosion resistance, lower contact resistance, higher thermal conductivity and a longer operating life at higher temperatures than conventional materials. Since the conversion of fuel to energy takes place via an electrochemical process, the process is cleaner, quieter and up to three times more efficient than burning fuel.
A nano-toughened epoxy paste adhesive for aircraft structural metal and composite bonding and repairs is soon to be available. Araldite® EP1000AB is reported to far exceed aircraft specification requirements at low, ambient and relatively high temperatures. It is part of a group of nano-technology toughened epoxy resins whose mechanical performance characteristics together with their ease of application and storage features make them promising for other applications such as the bonding and repair of wind turbine blades.
Huntsman is also adding new polyurethane adhesives with the ability to bond plastics and a methacrylate adhesive which requires minimal finishing to the Araldite® 2000 PLUS range. These are designed to meet the growing need for high performance adhesives for lightweight substrates in a range of different sectors, from transport to general industrial to consumer electronics.
Dow Chemical Company Stand number: N19
Dow Automotive will introduce its recently formed Commercial Transportation Group which offers a wide range of composite solutions for coach and truck builders. It will also showcase its latest solutions for bonding of composite materials, its epoxy and polyurethane (PU)-based composites portfolio together with its engineering capabilities.
Dow Epoxy Systems will be highlighting its latest developments to make AIRSTONE systems for wind energy more cost-effective. Enhanced product grades allow customers to tailor their final products based on specific process conditions. This means an optimised process and improved production times.
Dow Core Composite Solutions will present its highly efficient material for long term use in composite panels applied in industries such as wind energy, transportation, marine, and furniture. The excellent strength-to-weight ratio of this sandwich concept allows several advantages: higher speeds; longer range; greater payload capacity; and reduced power demand, resulting in better operating economy.
Reinforcements
Johns Manville Stand number: G46
Johns Manville will highlight new products designed to help composites compete against steel and stainless steel. These include the new SMC Roving 272, designed to help users of sheet moulding compound (SMC) improve Class A surface finish without compromising on mechanical performance. Roving 086 is reported to demonstrate excellent performance in the epoxy systems used in wind turbine blades and pipes, while the new ThermoFlow® CS 671 for polyamide (PA) 6 and PA 66 shows improved mechanical performance, hydrolysis resistance and higher elongation.
SAERTEX Stand number: M19
SAERTEX develops and produces multiaxial fabrics made of glass, carbon, aramid and other fibres to meet the most demanding technical requirements. The company's non-crimp fabrics (NCFs) are being used in various industries, including wind energy, aerospace, automotive, boat and shipbuilding, railway, building, pipe relining, and sports and leisure. With production plants in Germany, France, Portugal, USA, South Africa, India and China, SAERTEX has a presence around the world. The company's headquarters are in Germany.
METYX Composites Stand number: W58
METYX Composites manufactures high performance reinforcement materials and provides clients with custom solutions. The company serves many industries including marine, wind energy, automotive, pipe, construction, and sporting goods.
METYX offers a wide range of core materials designed to fit all tooling requirements, including high drapeablity for complex parts and high resin flow for large-scale applications. This year at JEC, METYX will highlight METYCORE™, a product group designed for RTM and L-RTM processes. METYCORE's benefits include high drapeability, excellent resin flow, wide product range, and custom widths.
METYX also offers a range of high performance multiaxial reinforcements, available in e-glass, aramid, carbon and hybrids, and it is a distributor of many composites-related products such as mould releases, resins, cleaners, adhesives, core materials, vacuum infusion materials, RTM equipment and tooling materials.
The company also offers extensive consulting services, including data analysis, recommendations, custom products, and onsite customer training. METYX specialises in consulting for vacuum infusion technology, structural engineering support, mould release technology, and RTM.
Scott & Fyfe Ltd Stand number: W44
This is the first JEC that the Scott & Fyfe Group will be exhibiting under one name following the re-branding of its composites division from Flemings Textiles Ltd to Scott & Fyfe Composites Ltd. It will be displaying the benefits of POLYMAT “Hi-Flow” when utilised within structural laminates such as wind turbine blades or in marine applications, and new core developments within the range which are designed for excellent surface finish. Current product ranges, including T-RIM, woven rovings, stitch woven combination fabrics and unidirectional woven combination fabrics, will also be on display.
Celanese Emulsions Stand number: Q43
Celanese is showcasing its JetSize™ line of natural polymer starches to optimise the production of glass fibre yarns. The JetSize line is designed for glass fibre yarn production for use in printed circuit boards in the electronics industry as well as glass textile applications. High weaving applications such as these demand starch with low ash content and high tensile strength, both found in JetSize. This line is also easy to process and cook and features low migration of the starch to protect the glass fibres. With further processing, JetSize can also be used in construction fabrics such as wall covering, insect screening, cement board reinforcement, etc. JetSize starches can be utilised in both pressure cooking and atmospheric cooking processes to ensure their success across a wide range of manufacturing environments.
Core materials
DIAB Stand number: L51
Core materials and sandwich composites specialist DIAB will demonstrate a new sandwich composite architectural cladding system. Working with DIAB Technologies engineers, Gothenburg-based Skandinaviska Glassystem (SG) has developed a modular cladding system that makes extensive use of sandwich composites (based on Divinycell P structural core) to support both the glazing units and the stone or metallic facing. As the system is significantly lighter than the traditional steel latticework approach, installation is faster and can be carried out by a team of just four people. Further time and cost is saved by the fact that the modules can be installed directly to the steel reinforced, concrete floors of a building virtually as soon as the floors are complete and without the need for additional supporting steelwork. The sandwich approach also offers inherent insulation properties, does not rust or corrode, and is basically immune from moisture uptake even if the uninstalled modules are left exposed to the elements on the building site for a long time.
As part of its further development of its Core Infusion Process, DIAB has introduced the GRV finishing option. This can reduce resin usage by over 50% and as a result offers further weight savings. This is especially the case when it is used in conjunction with grid-scored, scrim-backed (GS) core materials. The finish will be available from all DIAB production facilities and on all cores used for infusion moulding including Divinycell H, HP, F and P grades.
A good fit between the various core kit elements is essential to achieve consistent quality in terms of component performance, weight and surface finish. This is especially the case in infusion and RTM because any gaps can result in resin shrinkage problems and cosmetic issues. With DIAB's new Kit-Lok system individual core kit parts can be securely locked together in and out of the mould in less than a second without the need for staples or adhesives. Each kit component features small rebated profiles on the edges of each part. Once the kit parts are placed in their correct position they are securely locked together with the Kit-Lok ‘biscuit’ piece that is the same grade and density as the kit parts to which it is being applied. The Kit-Lok system speeds up the lay-up process, ensures a very good fit and reduces print-through problems.
Lantor BV Stand number M45
Lantor offers a comprehensive range of innovative nonwoven core materials solutions for the composites industry. Lantor's integrated product developments can help both OEMs and suppliers of parts to become more efficient and cost effective. Conductivity, shielding, fire retardency and the RTM Light process are just some areas Lantor has been focussing on.
nidaplast Stand number: Q66
nidaplast composites is introducing nidaplast®8ri polypropylene honeycomb core material for structural sandwich panels up to 90 mm thick. In combination with an infusion process, this honeycomb is a cost-effective solution for manufacturing extra-thick sandwich structures in which part stiffness is achieved without adding extra weight. The cells are leaktight, thanks to a plastic film that resists the pressure of the resin. Proper resin flow is ensured by an interlaminar flow medium.
Prepregs
Bond-Laminates Stand number: P25
Bond-Laminates is the manufacturer of TEPEX® advanced thermoplastic composite laminates. These materials are made in a continuous process that combines reinforcing fibres such as glass, carbon and aramid, with thermoplastic resins such as polypropylene (PP), polyamide (PA) 6, PA 66, PA 12, PPS and TPU. All TEPEX laminates are custom made and can be thermoformed with cycle times of less than one minute.
The company's exhibit will include applications in sporting goods, automotive components and the aviation industry, as well as an innovative production method called hybrid forming (combination of thermoforming and injection moulding in one step).
Advanced Composites Group (ACG) Stand number: T50
ACG, part of the Composites Division of Umeco plc, will exhibit its DForm® Deformable Composite System (DCS) for tooling. New custom-built processing equipment has now been installed at ACG's Heanor, UK, facility to enhance the product and to accelerate productivity rates to satisfy anticipated market demand. This equipment will also facilitate further development of the concept for structural applications.
The Group will also exhibit its out-of-autoclave (OOA) aerospace prepreg technology, which was approved by Airbus in late 2008. To demonstrate the application of this technology, ACG will display a wing box for the Dasault Falcon, manufactured as part of the ALCAS multi-partner programme. To demonstrate its expertise in the ballistics arena, ACG will exhibit a spall liner manufactured at Permali Gloucester Ltd using a hot press moulding technique with ACG's MTM82 phenolic resin/S2 glass prepreg. The moulded shape provides improved interior coverage, thus increasing the protected area while reducing overall component weight. The centre-piece of the stand will be the Banshee UAV, manufactured by Meggitt Composites, featuring prepreg from ACG throughout its construction.
Gurit Stand number: K44
Gurit will be launching its new market interest in ocean energy and showcasing its 2009 product portfolio for the automotive, aerospace and wind energy markets. The company will display rotating prototypes of infused and prepreg turbine blades demonstrating its capability in blade structural engineering, blade manufacturing and a portfolio for both prepreg and infusion blades.
Building on its experience gained in the marine environment, Gurit is expanding its support for the emerging ocean energy market. Having been involved in this technically demanding sector for a number of years supplying structural engineering, materials technology and device prototyping services to several companies, the company has established a new team to build strategically important alliances.
Gurit's first automotive parts production facility, launched in 2007 to supply the Aston Martin DBS with technology in carbon composite body panels, has ramped-up its production rate to satisfy demand for the DBS. Output grew consistently through 2008, ultimately achieving a five-fold increase in production volumes by the last quarter. The strength of the technology combined with the sustained performance of the facility were key factors in securing a second OEM programme in 2008, with production expected to start towards the middle of 2009.
Gurit will also be promoting the following products: SparPreg™, a UD prepreg for use in thick laminate sections; SPRINT® IPT, an all-in-one, in-mould surfacing solution for wind turbine blade production; Gurit PB1000, a modified benzoxazine resin that boasts zero formaldehyde and phenol residue, satisfying the most recent environmental standards like Airbus AP2091; and EP137, a range of unidirectional carbon fibre EP137-CR527 prepregs for the A380 passenger floor.
SP, the marine business of Gurit, will exhibit a selection of its marine composite products and engineering solutions, including T-Paste 70-1 tooling paste for plugs, Spabond 540 PB epoxy adhesives, Ampreg 21 epoxy wet laminate system, Ampreg 21FR fire retardant epoxy wet laminating system and fire retardant SPRINT system ST70 FR. A T-Paste 70-1 model of the Shipman 80 made by boat builder Seaway will be on display.
Additives
Syrgis Performance Initiators AB Stand number: J26
Syrgis is showcasing its second generation of phthalate-free (still some traces of DMP) MEKP, Andonox ENP-80, for the curing of unsaturated polyester resins at ambient temperature in combination with cobalt accelerator. The lower active oxygen level of ENP-80 makes this MEKP safer to handle and transport and it can therefore be delivered in 180 kg polyethylene drums.
Andonox ENP-80 and ENP-90 are somewhat less soluble in polyester resins than MEKPs with phthalates and therefore need longer mixing time. Suitable applications are: hand lay-up, spray-up, continuous laminating, continuous casting, filament winding and polymer concrete. ENP-90 can also be used in gel-coats, but again a longer mixing time is needed.
Syrgis will also highlight Benox C-50, a free flowing, water free, fine, white crystalline powder containing 50% dibenzoyl peroxide for the curing of unsaturated polyester resins and acrylic resins at ambient and elevated temperatures. At temperatures up to 80°C, Benox C-50 should be used in combination with an aromatic tertiary amine accelerator; above 80°C an accelerator is not required. It is easy to handle, easy to disperse and dissolves quickly in unsaturated polyester and acrylic resins. The system Benox C-50/amine gives a very fast cure that is hardly influenced by humidity and fillers. Even at low temperature a relatively good cure will be obtained.
AKPA Chemicals Stand number: P55
AKPA Chemicals manufactures organic peroxides, initiators, accelerators and paint driers. Its products are used in composites applications, tubing production, pipe production and many other applications. The company is located in Turkey and exports organic peroxides to over 20 countries. AKPA will be highlighting Akperox A6R, an organic peroxide which does not contain phthalate, meeting new European regulations.
AkzoNobel Polymer Chemicals Stand number: L31
AkzoNobel Polymer Chemicals is presenting its new corporate identity as well as a number of innovations, including an antistatic additive developed to enable the production of semi-conductive and antistatic composites with only very small addition levels. The active component Ketjenblack originates from the greater AkzoNobel portfolio and has been adapted by AkzoNobel Polymer Chemicals to be suitable for composites.
Accelerators necessary for the ambient curing of unsaturated polyester resins are not new to AkzoNobel Polymer Chemicals. An addition to the portfolio is a micro-encapsulated cobalt accelerator enabling a extreme long pot life in combination with standard peroxides. The cure needs to be initiated by temperature, which will release the cobalt accelerator.
Well known for brands like Butanox, Trigonox and Perkadox, AkzoNobel Polymer Chemicals will introduce a number of new products for specific market segments. These include a peak reducing peroxide for continuous pipe producers enabling them to produce thicker laminates at higher speeds. A 15% and 50% Dibenzoyl peroxide paste with an increased stability over time is also available. These are coloured peroxides which loose their colour during the cure.
Processing equipment
Composite Integration Ltd Stand number: G47
Composite Integration will exhibit its latest developments in RTM equipment and solutions, including the Ciject™ range, which has now been further developed to include machinery specifically designed for large-scale ‘infusion’ processes.
The company provides practical and well proven solutions that can be configured to suit individual customers' requirements. All equipment is designed and built in-house with particular emphasis on sophisticated control combined with ergonomic simplicity.
Automated Dynamics Stand number: G41f (US Pavilion)
Automated Dynamics produces Automated Fibre Placement (AFP) and Automated Tape Laying (ATL) equipment for thermoset and thermoplastic processing. It also carries out engineered composite structures manufacturing using in-house AFP and ATL.
The company will be highlighting its robot arm AFP/ATL workcell. This employs a Kawasaki robot platform to achieve an inexpensive, off-the-shelf solution. With a standard work envelope of 10 ft (3.0 m) × 5 ft (1.5 m) and 4 ft (1.2 m), the workcell addresses a typical collection of small- to medium-sized complex structures that are commonly laid up by hand. Mounting of the robot on a robot mover axis further customises the maximum part length. This machine is capable of hosting multiple processing head technologies, including thermoset and thermoplastic AFP and ATL. The machine's affordability and flexibility combined with its production capabilities, makes it ideal for both production and development environments. To date, Automated Dynamics has sold several of these machines: the latest was installed in Europe at the end of 2008.
Magnum Venus Plastech Stand number: V58
Magnum Venus Plastech (MVP) will exhibit the latest in meter/mix systems, innovative production processes and expert training. It will conduct live demonstrations of both the Light RTM process as well as infusion during the exhibition. These will highlight the latest systems offered by MVP for these processes, and will also touch on the comprehensive LRTM training course currently conducted worldwide and give a glimpse of the new infusion training course in development by MVP.
MVP Distributors from across Western Europe and other countries will be present in the booth, including: CT Platon BV and CT Platon GmbH from the Netherlands and Germany; MVP-Italia from Italy; MVP-España from Spain; MVP-Europe from the UK; Pinteco KG Enterprise from Finland; Polymerprom from Russia; and Fiberplast Plastik from Turkey.
Wabash MPI Stand number: G43b (US Pavilion)
Wabash is a manufacturer and supplier of standard and custom production and laboratory presses for composite applications. The full line of Wabash presses will be highlighted.
Wabash MPI offers standard and custom composite moulding, compression moulding, liquid injection moulding, vacuum moulding, ASTM, laboratory and R&D presses, as well as a series of all electric compression presses. The Genesis Series Presses are available from 15-150 tons for compression moulding of composites, rubber and plastics, while the Vantage Series ranges from 50-1000 tons and moulds SMC, fibreglass, Kevlar and other composite materials. C-Frame press configurations are also available for handling long work pieces.
Decoup+ Stand number: S79
Decoup+ specialises in the design and manufacture of ultrasonic cutting/sealing/splicing solutions, which are applicable at any stage of the textile and nonwoven fabrication and conversion process.
Ultrasonic technology offers advantages in the cutting of high performance fabrics made of aramid, carbon, and glass fibres, including high speed and reduced downtime and maintenance cost. Decoup+ offers units of 75/150/300 W for the cutting of fabrics on flat or raschel looms. The power required depends on the fabric thickness and on the machine speed. For manual cutting operations on prepreg, Decoup+ offers the new ultrasonic Pistol with blades. Light and as easy to use as a cutter, this unit allows cutting operations without any effort. Equipped with adapted tooling, Pistol allows sealing points to be made to assemble several layers of composites fabrics.
Processing materials
Airtech Europe Stand number: N32
Airtech Europe, a division of Airtech Advanced Materials Group, is introducing Airtech RTL, a lean cleanroom offering designed to reduce touch labour (RTL) and remove material waste (RMW) in the fabrication of composite parts. Airtech recognises that the cost of converting vacuum bagging roll stock materials used in the cleanroom is higher than the cost of the materials themselves and rather than just offering ‘products’, Airtech RTL involves the customer partnering with Airtech to identify labour and material processing solutions by giving customers vacuum bagging materials in a more usable form. Airtech can then deliver tailored solutions to meet each customer's needs.
Dahlar® Release Bag 520 will also be highlighted. This is a self releasing multi-layer bagging film for direct contact with prepreg for fabrication of hollow parts. Multiple layers of release polymer and nylon polymer provide film release off cured laminates and vacuum integrity of nylon. Dahlar Release Bag 520 will maintain vacuum at temperatures up to 220°C and release easily off cured resins such as epoxy and polyester. It is available as lay flat tubing (LFT) and gusset folded tubing (LFT-G) for internal bagging of hollow components.
Axel Plastics Research Laboratories Stand number: V46
Axel will introduce several new water-based semi-permanent mould releases at the show. The newest addition to AXEL's product line is XTEND® W-102, a 100% water-based high gloss mould release. The semi-permanent release is quick drying and easy to apply at ambient temperature and requires no heat cure. XTEND W-102 provides excellent slip and durability for polyester, vinyl ester, prepreg and epoxy resins. The semi-permanent release is suitable for many processes including hand lamination, infusion and RTM.
Other featured products will include XTEND WHS, a water-based treatment for mould flanges and edges, and XTEND WCX, a 100% water-based cleaner. These products join AXEL's wind blade release system designed for epoxy infusion: WS-50, mould sealer, and W-7838D matt finish mould release. All of the products in AXEL's wind blade release system are 100% water-based, non-flammable and odourless.
The company will also exhibit XTEND solvent–based mould releases for LFI and PU RIM and a vast selection of resin and process specific MoldWiz® internal mould releases.
Axson Technologies, Amber Composites Stand number: G11
Axson Technologies and Amber Composites are announcing the addition of three European countries where the Axson/Amber complete composite solution is now available. Axson's range of tooling materials, developed and refined to work seamlessly with Amber Composites' tooling and component prepreg, provide a one-stop solution to composite production. Axson customers in Italy, Spain and Portugal can now benefit from the package of products that has been proven by aerospace, automotive, and marine customers in Germany and France.
Axson and Amber will showcase composite solutions in four focus areas: automotive, aerospace, marine and structural bonding. Visitors will have the opportunity to learn about the full process of composite products manufacturing, from tool making to parts assembly.
The companies will highlight the following products: SC 175 extrudable paste by Axson, for the extrusion of large models and tools, which can be used with either infusion or prepreg master models; Adekit A 200 high performance PU adhesive by Axson, suitable for polyester composites (wet lay-up laminates, RTM, SMC, infused parts, etc) as well as epoxy laminated parts (pre-impregnated, wet lay-up, infused parts, etc); machinable slab LAB 970, an epoxy tooling board for epoxy pre-impregnated by Axson, for use with Amber prepreg or resin infusion; tooling prepreg HX42 and HX50 by Amber; and APF 7 and A 77/P polyester putties by Axson.
Software
VISTAGY Stand number: T45
VISTAGY will be announcing FiberSIM® 5.5, the latest version of its composites engineering software. FiberSIM is integrated into commercial CAD systems and used for designing and manufacturing composite parts and assemblies for the aerospace, high performance automotive, marine, Formula 1 racing and wind energy industries.
The upcoming release features improved tools for resolving manufacturability issues encountered when using Automated Fibre Placement (AFP) techniques, which automate the creation and placement of ‘bird beaks’ and ‘bat ears’ in the preliminary stages of design. Early identification of minimum course length issues will help streamline the product development cycle. This version will also expand support to more analysis packages, enabling users to have additional ways to transmit information between the analyst and designer and downstream to manufacturing.
With FiberSIM 5.5, designers will use an enhanced producibility engine that offers improved speed for reducing the overall design simulation time. There will also be a spreadsheet-like interface that will improve the designers' ability to edit zone-based laminate specifications and layer sequencing. Other enhancements include the use of colour to visualise zones with different laminate specifications, an improved ability to design parts that include cores, a superior handling of complex ply drop-off scenarios, and increased performance by limiting layer boundary updates to a designated area of user interest.
Anaglyph Ltd Stand number: V50
Anaglyph will be introducing the latest version of its Laminate Tools composite design software. Laminate Tools v3.4 features a number of improvements and new functionalities across all modules. Examples include: flat patterns generated by the Manufacture module now take layer offset into account; draping simulation now includes a safe option to eliminate numerical instability; there is a unique interface for the new Altair Optistruct layup optimiser commands; there are new failure criteria such as LaRC05; and a improved PlyMatch interface. And it is now available for 64-bit platforms too, on a network floating licence at no additional cost. The full list of enhancements is available at www.anaglyph.co.uk/LT34.htm.
Analglyph says Laminate Tools has been adopted by major composite professionals, small consultancies and academic institutions as it offers value for money for pre- and post-processing of composite structures. It complements existing CAD systems and/or FEA environments, with native support for Nastran and Ansys solvers.
Componeering Inc Stand number: P72
Componeering is introducing a new addition to the ESAComp Software Suite for composites analysis and design. ComPoLyX, by a partner company EVEN AG, Switzerland, is a software tool for advanced post processing of finite element analysis (FEA) results for composite structures. It was first developed to meet the challenges of demanding projects involving Formula 1 racing and America's Cup Yacht design.
ComPoLyX supports the most commonly used FE solvers: ABAQUS, ANSYS and NASTRAN. Its features include all-in-one-plot visualisation of failure results, accurate indication of reserve factors and failure modes based on advanced failure criteria, evaluation of interlaminar normal stresses of thick curved laminates, and excellent computational performance.
ComPoLyX and ESAComp are being integrated as a package that covers variety of tasks from conceptual and preliminary design to final verification of the design.
