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PRODUCTS MATERIALS IN DESIGN & PROTOTYPING
NEW COMPOSITES PORTFOLIO FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE APPLICATIONS
A new polyurethane and epoxy-based composites portfolio has been launched by Huntsman. According to the company, this includes composite solutions that can help automotive manufacturers and their tier suppliers optimise production processes, reduce environmental impact, and maximise the performance and lifetime of vehicle components as the drive for cleaner, lighter vehicles accelerates. Solutions include the RIMLINE RSM
system, a new glass fibre-reinforced, polyurethane composite technology developed for rear seat pan applications. The RIMLINE RSM system can support compact, lightweight, simplified design configuration requirements. Enabling the potential for high part integration capabilities, the technology is applied via reaction spray moulding, making it ideal for creating complex geometrical shapes. It can offer very good fibre impregnation for good surface quality, cures quickly after spraying, and can be demoulded fast for an efficient production cycle, the company explains. Also available are customisable, quick cure, high strength polyurethane resins that can be used to house batteries in electric vehicles. These VITROX and RIMLINE systems can be used to create composite components for underbody and upper cover battery protection applications up to 30% quicker than some existing technologies, the company states. Enabling high performing composites alongside extra design and production flexibility capabilities, the range includes products that can offer lower overall part weight and increased strength as well as improved structural performance – and were developed to be suitable for integration in electric vehicles. Solutions are available for wet compression moulding (WCM), core moulding, high-pressure resin transfer moulding (HP-RTM), and long fibre injection (LFI) moulding techniques – depending on end user requirements. All presented polyurethane technologies can also be offered as ISCC PLUS mass balance certified, helping to reduce attributed carbon footprint (GWP100 including
biogenic CO2) by up to 50% – supporting customers working towards sustainability and Net Zero ambitions. ARALDITE epoxy
innovations and composite solutions developed for emerging battery electric and fuel cell electric mobility, are also available.
Huntsman
www.huntsman.com
3D PRINTING HELPS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF HMI PROTOTYPES
Tri-Tech 3D, the UK provider of 3D printing solutions, has recently supplied APEM Components with a Stratasys PolyJet multi-material additive manufacturing (AM) system. APEM Components specialises in the design and manufacture of HMI parts, including panel switches, joysticks, LED indicators and industrial controls such as emergency stop switches. The company wanted to showcase its capabilities to customers at trade shows and site visits by producing high-quality prototypes with elaborate designs in multiple materials. The Stratasys J35 Pro is therefore being used to create high-quality prototypes, shorten design cycles and reduce costs by minimising the company’s reliance on bureaus. The Stratasys J35 Pro is a multi-material PolyJet printer
suitable for office environments. With this, users can create models with rubber-like characteristics, as well as high- impact, rigid, translucent and biocompatible components. It is possible to use up to three materials during one build, which reduces overall production time by avoiding the need for multiple printing shifts. Howard Spink, senior design engineer at APEM,
commented: “Although we had an FDM printer on site, we still used bureaus to create the occasional gasket or gaiter, which extended lead times and increased overall costs. Tri-Tech 3D recommended the J35 Pro because it is simple to use and has minimal maintenance requirements. With the system now in place, we can print a wider range of prototypes from the comfort of our facility and create high-quality parts with shorter design cycles than ever before.” Adding to this, Dave Moore, 3D print consultant at Tri-Tech 3D, said: “The value of multi-material prototyping for APEM cannot be overstated. APEM is now using Vero DraftGrey, Vero UltraClear, Vero UltraBlack and Vero UltraWhite on the J35 Pro to produce component housing and, as a result, it can show customers how the switches and cables inside interact with one another. Not only can this boost customer engagement, but it also ensures confidence in the final product.
Tri-Tech 3D
T: 01905 458000
www.tritech3d.co.uk
COMPOSITES FOR ELECTRONIC AND SMART DEVICES
Syensqo, previously part of Solvay Group, has launched Swyft-Ply, a new composite material brand that enhances design options for the electronic and smart devices market. ‘Swyft’ emphasises the fast-curing nature of the company’s strong and lightweight composites, and ‘Ply’ reflects the use of multiple material layers in the design of composite parts. Swyft-Ply products have been developed to
leverage the well-known benefits of composites such as weight reduction and exceptional strength to enable new form factors that are not only thinner but provide more design flexibility
46 DESIGN SOLUTIONS MARCH 2024
and freedom needed by device manufacturers. The portfolio offers the ability to select important material features such as dielectric performance, thermal characteristics, as well as UL94 flammability requirements that are of specific interest to its customers. According to the company, the portfolio is based on multiple polymer resin types and reinforcements, available in various material formats, and has been specifically formulated to maximise processing efficiencies through fast-curing, controlled flow and extended storage conditions.
Syensqo
www.syensqo.com
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