JEC exhibitors out in force

As the main business hub for all things composite, JEC Europe attracts exhibitors from around the world. Composites in Manufacturing previews a variety of suppliers showcasing their latest products at the Paris show.
Our preview begins with AIC (stand V20), who manufacture and maintain process control equipment such as hot drape formers and autoclaves, ovens and other ancillary equipment for composite materials. The company has created major innovations such as bespoke hot drape forming machines for aerospace component manufacture, zoned heated beds, precise bed location, pre-tool heating and superior vacuum control combined with comprehensive software and controls. These provide the ability to produce the most complex spars and ribs. With the aid of double diaphragm technology, laminates of up to 20mm thickness can be formed to precise dimensions at over 18m in length.

Meanwhile, Airtech (stand M64) says its resin infusion connectors with a flat base VAC-RIC LT and VAC-RIC HT provide efficient through bag connection for vacuum manifold and resin feed lines for low (LT) and high (HT) temperature resin infusion applications. These products have been designed to be placed on the top of the Resintrak, Vactrak or Dahlpac MC79 vacuum breather pad. The resin infusion adapter (RIA) is a practical tool which can ensure the connection between the resin inlet tube or vacuum line and all resin infusion connectors. The sharp angled end of the new adapter will easily perforate the vacuum bag placed on the top of the RIC without the need of scissors.

Italian machining centre manufacturer Breton (stand K66) has developed a deep knowledge of composites machining through the years. Powders generated during machining are aggressive and wearing for machine drives therefore every critical component is well protected and sealed on its machines. Quality lubrication systems, with precise sealing covers and extraction systems also prevent any leakage or contamination from used oil onto the composite parts being machined. Dry machining is implemented with efficient dust extraction installed in the machine directly on the spindle front. Special coolants around and through the tool are also adopted in order to increase cutter life and avoid heat transfer to the parts.

Moving on, CGTech (stand R66) will demonstrate its new programming and simulation software for Automated Tape Laying (ATL) machines. The new capability complements CGTech’s existing composite software applications for Automated Fibre Placement (AFP). Additionally, visitors will have the opportunity to receive a thorough overview of the steps needed to get from a CAD designed composite part to CNC programs that drive automated composite machinery. There will be updated information on projects that highlight the implementation and use of machine independent off-line NC programming and simulation software for AFP and ATL machines. Throughout the show, CGTech will be demonstrating Vericut Composite Applications: Vericut Composite Paths for Engineering (VCPe), Vericut Composite Programming (VCP) and Vericut Composite Simulation (VCS). CGTech will also be exhibiting its latest version of Vericut software. Vericut is CNC machine simulation, verification and optimisation software that enables users to eliminate the process of manually proving-out NC programs.

Elsewhere, CMS (stand Q18) will be in Paris with its innovative CNC machining centres. For example, its Ares/Antares series offer a range of interpolated 5-axis machining centres dedicated to the high speed processing of aluminium, light alloys, composite materials, plastic substances and wooden materials. These machining centres are characterised by a combination of very high accuracy and motion dynamics thanks to precision mechanics, agile structures and completely digitalised control and handling systems. The electro spindles are entirely designed and built by CMS, which guarantees the torque and power characteristics required in the processing of advanced materials. Furthermore, particular attention is paid to the containment and removal of processing dust and to the protection of the mechanical and electrical parts of the machines, thus guaranteeing the best environmental work conditions and reliability of the machinery in the long-term.

Delcam (stand L25) will demonstrate the latest developments in its PowerMILL software for the programming of machining using a Kuka robot. The latest developments in Delcam’s PowerSHAPE design software and PowerMILL’s 5-axis machining system will also be demonstrated. The new robot machining interface in Delcam’s PowerMILL CAM software has made it far easier to program robots for a much wider range of applications. The ability to program the robot offline from 3D CAD data is both faster and more efficient than the ‘teach and learn’ approach that is often used to create instructions for the equipment.

The eco-conscious Dragonkraft (stand W40) team will be demonstrating its new epoxy resins at the show. Dragonkraft’s epoxy resin system boasts 100% renewable carbon content, whilst its hardener/booster package contains 20% renewable matter. In addition, Dragonkraft promote a 97% renewable UV cure system which sets within 15-30 minutes in natural daylight. Not only do these products help manufacturers to address tightening environmental regulations but they also reduce the consumption of finite petrochemical resources. The Dragonkraft package is BPA (Bisphenol A) free and has many health and safety benefits including safer handling for workers and low odours.

Elsewhere, Eastman Machine Company (stand U8) will be demonstrating advanced cutting systems used at the start of the composite production cycle. The company will be operating its 72inch wide x 12ft long automated CNC static cutting table with the company’s exclusive heavy-duty tool head design, during show hours, cutting fibre glass, Kevlar and other composite materials. The Eastman M9000 is a single to low-ply cutting system that provides superior cutting performance and increased throughput. This fully automated cutting system is capable of marking, drilling and punching virtually any flexible material at speeds of up to 60inches/sec (152.4cm/s). Eastman’s static cutting table has proven itself cutting difficult-to-cut composite materials, such as polystrand, p-tex, and fibre glass-polyester blends. It’s available in a range of lengths and widths to meet the demands for prototypes and full production runs. The system’s high-precision configuration features multi-axis motion for more defined and accurate cuts and features zoning capabilities to enable cutting in one area while the operator is simultaneously picking parts in another, maximising capacity.

Forest-Liné (stand V56) says it’s among the leaders in tape laying productivity for complex double curvature surfaces. Its new Atlas machine with a 6th axis and automatic lap/gap in-process measurement brings productivity and tape positioning accuracy to the highest level, reducing cycle time. The Atlas tape layer features tape positioning within 0.5mm provides, 100% traceability, 60m/minute feed rates, highly dynamic axes and linear motors with optimised scrap rates.

Composite materials are entirely reliant on the resins that bind them together. Henkel (stand R45) has launched a new resin under its Loctite brand designed to make them more manageable. Its Benzoxazine resins for composite processes provide benefits for every stage of the value chain. Major advantages compared to other technologies are higher service temperature, lower cure shrinkage, reduced micro-cracking, improved toughness and lower total manufacturing costs. The performance improvements enable further weight reduction in aircraft structures compared to the current generation composites. Loctite Benzoxazine resins can be stored at room temperature, which simplifies processing and substantially reduces the amount of waste due to expired products. Since refrigerated storage is no longer necessary, energy consumption during shipping and storage is significantly reduced.

Hexcel (stand G57) will be launching HiTape high performance unidirectional reinforcements, based on its HexTow carbon fibre, designed to meet the requirements for aircraft primary structures made by cost-effective out of autoclave vacuum infusion or injection technology. HiTape allows dry preforms to be manufactured in a fully-automated lay-up, similar to the AFP and ATL processes widely used for UD prepregs. Aerostructures made with HiTape demonstrate mechanical properties that are as high as those found in parts made with the latest generation primary structure prepregs.

Along the same aisle, Huntsman’s (stand G65) latest resins are said to help speed up production. The company will be showcasing a new Araldite system that enables five-minute production cycles. Compared to first generation HP-RTM, this equates to a 30% timesaving. The company will also highlight its epoxy resins, hardeners and accelerators designed to help formulators and prepreggers enhance the mechanical properties and overall quality of their systems. Adhesive bonding enables the most efficient use of composites, maximising the long-term potential of high-end composite structures while optimising manufacturing methods with easy handling and processing. Huntsman’s epoxy adhesives, which combine high toughness with lap shear strengths greater than 35MPa, are already proven in numerous applications.

Instron (stand C55) will be showcasing advanced testing systems and components for determining the mechanical properties of composite materials and fibre composite parts. As an example of its wide portfolio of testing systems for the composites industry, Instron will present its Model 5980 floor-standing universal test system specially equipped for performing measurements on composites. Visitors to the show will be able to see Instron’s new AutoX750 Automatic Contacting Extensometer, and for dynamic and fatigue testing of composites, Instron will exhibit an ElectroPuls E10000 testing system with a nominal force capacity up to ±10kN, designed both for static testing at low speeds and high-frequency dynamic testing at several hundred Hertz.

Modular laminating equipment specialist, Reliant Machinery (stand K29) has recently identified aircraft seating as a growing market. The company claims the key factors driving the requirements for its laminating technology comprise weight-saving, biological, aesthetic and efficiency advantages. The manufacture of seating has been mainly sewing-based, which requires thicker and heavier weights of foam to achieve the stiffness and flat surfaces required. Using Reliant’s lamination systems, such as films, webs and powder adhesives, thinner foams can be used to achieve the same level of stiffness, providing significant weight savings for each seat produced. The laminating system means fully-upholstered, flexible and removable seat covers can be produced that can be easily hygienically cleaned and refitted.

SCIGRIP (stand D43) is launching an enhanced product for bonding dicyclopentadiene (DCPD) composites at the show. SG600, a methyl methacrylate (MMA) structural adhesive, is suitable for bonding difficult substrates including grades of DCPD, without time-consuming preparation techniques such as flame treatment. SG600 is cold curing and produces tough and fatigue resistant bonds and also features ratio adjustable cure times and rheology, compatible with robotic application. SG600 has also performed well in trials bonding ABS, PVC and SMC as well as traditional PE, VE or epoxy composites.

Scott Bader (stand V18) will be showcasing its new ‘ultra-low styrene content’ spray gelcoat Crystic Ecogel S1PA. This gelcoat, along with its range of closed mould Crystic resins, is part of Scott Bader’s focus on offering low VOC fabrication options for converters. According to Scott Bader’s R&D team, Ecogel S1PA has been independently laboratory tested and proven to be able to cut total styrene emissions by over 55%. Crystic Gelcoat 15PA is a new vinyl ester (VE) spray tooling gelcoat which Scott Bader is also launching at JEC. It’s a high performance tooling gelcoat offering superior gloss retention.

Finally, following a successful show in 2012, SGS Carbide Tool (stand M44) will exhibit again at JEC Europe. This year the tooling specialist will display its recently expanded range of composite cutting tools. The company will also launch its new 20-page Composite Tools brochure at the event, which will be available to visitors in both English and French.

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