The centre is built around a 2500 ton Dieffenbacher press.
German equipment supplier Dieffenbacher systems for processing thermoset and thermoplastic composites, including a direct sheet moulding compound line (D-SMC line) with a CompressPlus hydraulic press. The press can be used to manufacture fibre reinforced plastic (FRP) components such as engine hoods, bumpers and rear decks. It is the first D-SMC line in operation in North America.
See a report on the new Fraunhofer Porject Centre @ Western in this YouTube video.
- This collaboration between Germany's Fraunhofer Institute for Chemical Technology and the Canadian university was announced in September 2011 (see University of Western Ontario and Fraunhofer team up in composites research centre.)
