The Composite Curing Press will enable Cranfield to carry out vital research into composite materials for aerospace and automotive industry application as well as enabling further advancement in postgraduate studies for a number of students directly involved with the projects.
Andrew Mills, principal research fellow composites manufacturing, Enhanced Composites & Structures Centre, said: “We purchased the LabPro 1000 to assist our investigation and development of cost effective manufacturing technology for lightweight composite structures in partnership with industry, in particular but not limited to current research projects for unmanned aircraft structures with BAE Systems and sports car bodies with McLaren Automotive.
“Our requirements, the high specification of the press including temperature distribution during both the heating and cooling cycles, the quick closing and opening speed of the heated platens, the reputation of Fontijne Presses and the build quality.”
Fontijne Presses, part of the Fontijne Grotnes Group, has been manufacturing hydraulic laboratory platen presses for use in the polymer processing, rubber, and composites industry for more than 80 years. Platen presses are utilised for research and materials development, sample preparation, small production processes for quality control and series production of finished product, dependant on the model and specification.
Intelicare specialises in the supply and service of ancillary equipment used within the plastics processing and other industries. Key product lines include fluid temperature control, materials handling and laboratory platen presses, all sourced from high quality European manufacturers.
