Exhibition Ticker - COMPOSITES 2011

The Closed Mold Alliance and over 10 industry partners will host a comprehensive, ongoing demo of closed mold technology – in person, right on the show floor– during COMPOSITES 2011 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. To be held in a specially designed staging area at Booth # 917, presentations will take place throughout the day both Wednesday, February 3, and Thursday, February 4.

At the event, manufacturers can watch work cells demonstrating three closed-mold processes – Light Resin Transfer Molding (Light RTM), the Vacuum Infusion Process (VIP), and Flex Molding –to produce replica wind turbine blades, a replica nacelle, and other production parts. Highlighting this event will be the latest technologies to enhance closed-mold production.

New this year will be the introduction of Temperature Controlled Molding to the Vacuum Infusion Process. Temperature Controlled Molding manages exotherm temperatures using Controlled Radical Polymerization (CRP) for composites. Temperature Controlled Molding was developed by TCM Composites, Andre Cocquyt, Arkema, and Cook Composites & Polymers.

“With a replica wind blade mold, we’ll demonstrate how Vacuum Infusion and Temperature Controlled Molding are ideal for parts that require superior flow characteristics, faster production times, enhanced physical properties, and extended gel times,” said Composites One Vice President of Marketing, Greg Shymske. “We’ve helped manufacturers see how closed mold is ideal for building a wide range of parts and now they will see system enhancements making it even easier to build parts more efficiently.”

Also new this year, will be Flex Molding Technology, recently introduced by Magnum Venus Plastech at JEC 2010. The program will feature a video demonstration of how to make a silicone bag using the Flex Mold Process. Afterwards a live demo using the same silicone bag will feature production of a replica wind blade. In addition, new Flex Molding Controls will be featured in all work cells. The Light RTM work cell will feature a replica nacelle and 10 to 12 parts will be manufactured daily.

The Lean Mean Closed Mold Machine at COMPOSITES 2011 will also showcase a new micro-infused resin technology that can be used in closed molding. From Australian company MIRteq, the technology uses a resin with a modified polymer structure making it safer for the environment. Access to the technology is available exclusively through Composites One.

All closed mold demonstrations will feature Magnum Venus Plastech (MVP), meter/mix equipment manufacturer with expertise in closed mold and a member of the Closed Mold Alliance. The program will also be presented with assistance Alliance member RTM North Technologies, North America’s leading Light RTM expert. Composites One is also a member of the Closed Mold Alliance.

Throughout the event, industry experts from the Alliance, along with the Composites One Closed Mold Team, will be on hand to answer questions about Light RTM, Flex Molding, VIP, discuss equipment and materials, and help manufacturers learn how to put closed mold to work in their operation. This is the seventh consecutive year that Composites One and its partners have presented live demonstrations of closed mold processes at a major trade show event.

The live demonstrations at are the culmination of a joint effort between Composites One, the Closed Mold Alliance and its supplier partners: Airtech Advanced Materials Group, Airex Baltek, Arkema, Cook Composites & Polymers, Chemtrend, Chomarat, ITW Plexus, Kit Concepts, Magnum Venus Plastech, MIRteq, Owens Corning, Progress Plastiques, RTM North, Syrgis, TCM Composites, Vectorply, Wacker Silicones. Composites Manufacturing and Composites Technology are the official media sponsors of the event.

“The support of our suppliers has been crucial in the development of the Closed Mold Alliance,” added Shymske. “As a result Composites One and the Closed Mold Alliance can offer manufacturers a complete turn-key to successful closed mold conversion.”

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