Achieve High Volumes with Preforms

Composites already have begun to replace steel and other traditional materials, but typically they’ve been limited to low- and medium-volume markets. “The high-volume markets for composites have been limited,” says Dan Buckley, manager of R&D at American GFM, Chesapeake, Va. “There has been movement in that direction with thermoplastics composites, but thermoplastics won’t handle structural applications, because they won’t handle continuous loads.”

In his educational session Preforming Engineering Fabrics For High Volume Structural Applications at C+P 2009, Buckley will talk about how to make complex, high-volume performs. “We’re talking about things you want to make many of, we’re you’re going to be making 3,000 to 5,000 parts or more,” he says. “We’re not talking about twenty minutes or an hour to fill a part. We’re talking about 20 to 40 seconds.”

The session is geared towards manufacturers who use closed molding processes for structural and semi-structural applications. Buckley will discuss a process for using different materials in different locations, and the ability to include core materials, fasteners and metal inserts in the preforms. “The first things you need to think about are the volume—whether it will justify preforming—what type of infusion process you’re  going to use, and most importantly the conformability of the material,” he says.

Some of the markets that could benefit from products made by this process include aviation, automotive, marine and recreation. “It could be as simple as a manhole cover,” Buckley says. “Anything that has to take a high load repeatedly.”

Buckley’s session takes place Thursday, Jan. 15 from 11 a.m. to 11:50 a.m. For more information, click here.