KraussMaffei will be presenting intelligent solutions for manufacturing fibre-reinforced plastic components at the JEC Composites Show in Paris (March 10th-12th).
KraussMaffei
As one of the few suppliers in the market with such an extensive expertise in injection moulding and reaction process materials, KraussMaffai can provide technologies and systems for processing thermoplastic and thermoset matrix systems from a single source.
The technologies on show at JEC cover the entire range of industries from automotive, transport and aviation to construction, wind power and the sport and recreation industry.
Erich Fries, Manager of the Composites/Surfaces business unit at KraussMaffei, said: "We will demonstrate our expertise at JEC in many up-to-date application examples. In doing so, we will prove that we offer our customers the right process for optimised production for all corresponding component requirements.
"The market for composites continues to develop very dynamically. We expect to receive important ideas at the JEC."
Perfect for large polyurethane composites
Large components with excellent, immediately paintable surfaces for trucks and agricultural machines can be manufactured, for example, using the LFI (long fibre injection) process in combination with the R-RIM process (reinforced reaction injection moulding). R-RIM is the only process for polyurethane fibre composite applications where the reinforcement material is contained directly in one component.
"It features a high degree of automation and, therefore, short cycle times," says Fries. The low viscosity of the components makes it possible to manufacture large, complex, thin-walled, high-strength parts. These applications feature high temperature stability and an excellent impact strength and already have paintable surfaces. At JEC, KraussMaffei is presenting a fender for agricultural machines from Parat.
Functional integration made easy with FiberForm
The FiberForm process developed by KraussMaffei combines the thermoforming of composite sheets and injection moulding in one process. The strength level of fibre-reinforced plastic components is increased through this procedure. The fully automated process enables short cycle times of less than 60 seconds and, therefore, production processes that are ready for large series. To date, FiberForm has been predominately used in the automotive industry. For example, seat shells and backrests are developed here in series production. Whether extra stiffness through adding ribs, shaped openings with a reinforced edge or complex geometries – the FiberForm process can be used to produce many things that would be nearly impossible as a sheet metal part. And all of this in only one process.
At JEC, KraussMaffei is presenting infotainment holders developed jointly for Audi with partners Audi, Lanxess and Christian Karl Siebenwurst. Compared to a traditional steel sound holders, the FiberForm variant is half the weight, provides advantages in installation and the integration of additional functions.
But the product range of FiberForm is not just limited to applications in vehicle manufacturing: The most recent example, which can also be seen in Paris, is a multi-function stringer in the new Kingpin touring ski binding from Völkl. The basic body is made up of composite sheet, which is moulded with a fibre-reinforced plastic and provided with multiple function elements.
"The multi-function stringer is a perfect example of the advantages of FiberForm technology, that is to say generating defined mechanical properties and functional integration in only two process steps in one injection moulding machine," explained Stefan Schierl, Development Engineer at KraussMaffei.
On a small, narrow surface, the multi-function stringer contains three highly loaded function elements, all made from fibreglass-reinforced polyamide. In summation, the binding combines high function and safety, while maintaining a low weight at the same time.