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On the show floor at COMPOSITES 2011, attendees will do more than hear exhibitors talk about their money-making technologies and products. They’ll see some of them in action — the event is about showing, not just telling, industry pros about different ways to grow their business.
A prime example will be The Lean Mean Closed Mold Machine, which will 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, a leading distributor of composite materials.
Composites One, along with the Closed Mold Alliance and more than 10 industry partners, is preparing to hold one of the most comprehensive, ongoing demonstrations of closed mold technology the industry has seen. The demos will take place on Feb. 3 and Feb. 4 in a specially designed staging area at Booth #917.
During the demos, COMPOSITES 2011 attendees will learn more about three closed mold processes—light resin transfer molding (Light RTM), the vacuum infusion process (VIP) and flex molding—used to produce replica wind blades, a replica nacelle and other production parts. Composites One and its partners will introduce many industry pros to a VIP feature called “temperature-controlled molding,” which is a control process that manages exotherm temperatures using controlled radical polymerization (CRP) for composites. Temperature-controlled molding was developed through a collaboration among 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,” says Greg Shymske, vice president of marketing at Composites One.
Throughout the event, industry experts from the Closed Mold Alliance, along with the Composites One Closed Mold Team, will be on hand to answer attendees’ questions about Light RTM, Flex Molding and VIP. For example, demonstrations will include expertise from Alliance member Magnum Venus Plastech (MVP), a leading meter/mix equipment manufacturer with specific expertise in closed mold processes. Experts from Alliance member RTM North Technologies, a leading Light RTM expert, also will be there to discuss equipment and materials and to help manufacturers learn how to add closed molding to their operations.
“We wanted to bring together the best closed mold technology minds available, so we can best answer attendees questions about specific applications and situations,” says Marcy Offner, marketing manager at Composites One. “The support of our suppliers has been excellent, and the result is our combined ability to offer manufactures a turnkey solution for a successful conversion to closed mold.”
