One of the Hottest Areas of Plastics Molding

Answer that question with a definitive “Yes” by registering to attend “Thermoplastics Composites for Automotive” (TCC Auto 2016) on June 15-16 at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi, Mich.

 

Presented by Plastics Technology magazine and CompositesWorld, sister publications within Gardner Business Media, TCC Auto 2016 will provide cutting-edge information on lightweighting, cost reduction through automation, and new approaches to automotive production for injection molders and composites fabricators. TCC Auto 2016 will be concurrent with the Amerimold 2016 show and conference, presented by Gardner’s MoldMaking Technology magazine.

 

This is only the second presentation of this unique conference. The first, in 2014, was literally a standing-room only event, with over 250 attendees. This year, over a day and a half, we’ll present 22 speakers on topics in Applications & Materials and Machinery & Processes for thermoplastic composites.

 

Machinery & Processes will present the following opportunities to evaluate state-of-the art technologies for getting in on the action in developing applications for automotive—and aerospace, electronics, and more:

 

 •  The RTM Process Family of Lightweight Construction Processes, Phillip Zimmerman, KraussMaffei Technologies GmbH. This machinery producer has pushed ahead with development of high-pressure resin transfer molding (HP-RTM) as a method of mass production with high fiber volumes (above 50%) and continuous fibers. You’ll learn about C-RTM, which adds a low-pressure compression stroke. It reduces capital investment and is already in use for series production of auto parts. Other topics are Wet Molding as a second life for recycled fibers, and T-RTM, polymerizing low-viscosity liquid caprolactam in the mold to produce a solid nylon 6 composite.

 

 •  Tailored Fiber Placement LFT-D, Louis Kaptur, Dieffenbacher Canada. The process of producing long-fiber thermoplastics directly from continuous fiber rovings (LFT-D) is already used for non-structural automotive parts such as underbody shields and covers. The next step is the transition to structural components by adding automated layup of continuous-fiber tapes.

 

 •  New Out-of-Press, Out-of-Autoclave Molding Technology for TP Composites, Lionel Schaaf, RocTool. Light Induction Tooling is a new molding technology using thin-shell metal molds and induction heating to produce large parts at low energy cost and reduced cycle times.

 

 •   Quilted Stratum Process, Andrew Rypkema, PEI Pinette USA. QSP is a new approach for automated manufacturing of high-performance TP composites, using continuous carbon fiber. It is said to offer low cost and short cycle times.

 

 •  Weld-Line Strength Prediction Through Combined Manufacturing & Structural Simulation, Brady Adams and Matt Jaworski, Autodesk, Inc. The author will present a mathematical model for predicting weld-line strength in fiber composites by using the manufacturing process history, as well as a strategy for transferring the weld surface strengths to a structural simulation. Correlation of predicted results to experimental data will be provided.

 

 •  Methodology Development for Experimental and Numerical Rheology Studies on the Plasticating Effect in Microcellular Foam Composites, Marcel Holzner, Fraunhofer Project Centre for Composites Research. Here’s how use of dissolved supercritical nitrogen gas in 20% long-glass PP improves flow and mold filling. Autodesk Moldflow predictions of this process will be presented.

 

 •  Teijin’s Thermoplastic Composite Material Technology, Yutaka Yagi, Teijin Advanced Composites America, Inc. Sereebo is the name of a family of carbon-fiber reinforced TP materials (CFRTP), including materials for primary automotive structures and long-fiber pellets (Sereebo P-series). The materials are said to offer high levels of energy absorption and 60-sec cycles. This will be a special opportunity to learn about these materials and Teijin’s manufacturing process, as well as CAE modeling of static and dynamic properties, including prediction of crash behavior.

 

 •  Process Simulation for Long-Glass Injection Molding TP Composites: Predicting Damage and Orientation, Gabriel Geyne, Sigma Plastic Services, Inc. The latest software can predict the distribution of ultimate fiber lengths and orientation in molded parts.

 

 •  Validating Long-Fiber Reinforced Thermoplastics Using Industrial Computed Tomography (CT) Scanning, Andrew Good, Jesse Garant Metrology Center. Advanced, non-destructive inspection using x-rays provides visual confirmation and analysis of the distribution and orientation of fibers in molded parts.

 

 •  BAAM—How Big-Area Manufacturing is Changing Business, Richard Neff, Cincinnati, Inc. Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Cincinnati, Inc. have collaborated on the prototype of a very large 3D printer that can incorporate carbon fibers in large, structural parts. Learn about such projects as the 3D printed Shelby Cobra and Local Motors cars, a printed house, U.S. Army utility vehicle, and aerospace fabrication tooling.

 

 •  Advanced Compression & Injection Molding of Complex Components from Neat & Reinforced Thermoplastics, Chris Huskamp, Surface Generation Ltd. PtFS advanced heating, cooling, and process controls apply to injection and compression molding for automotive, aerospace, and consumer electronics. PtFS combines hardware and software to provide what’s called the first “digital molding environment” where “active thermal management” reportedly provides large reductions in energy consumption and enables filling of thin walls, elimination of weld lines and sinks, abrupt transitions between thin and thick sections, and high fiber loadings.

 

 •  Reversible Bonding: Efficient Fabrication, Disassembly, and Repair of Automotive Components, Mahmoodul Haq, Composite Vehicle Research Center, Michigan State Univ. College of Engineering. Newly discovered technology using ferromagnetic nanoparticle reinforced thermoplastic adhesives can bond dissimilar materials and allow fast, convenient part replacement and repair.

 

 •  Thermoplastic Tape Mchinery: Bringing Standardization to the Process, Matt Litzler, C.S. Litzler. Producing thermoplastic unidirectional tape has until now meant homemade machinery systems for small-scale production. Litzler is building on 63 years of prepreg machinery experience to bring standardization to this relatively new composites process. Industry is looking for “plug-and play” machinery similar to the standards for hot-melt thermoset tape systems.

 

Go here for more information on the conference agenda, registration, and hotel.