Process Technologies for TP Composites in Automotive

Thermoplastic composites represent a new class of structural parts for automotive and a new opportunity for injection and compression molders. Machinery systems are still evolving, but the latest advances in automation, speed, energy efficiency, and materials efficiency will be presented at the first-ever Thermoplastic Composites Conference for Automotive next month in Novi, Mich.

 

Organized by the editors of Plastics Technology and sister publications Composites Technology, High-Performance Composites, and Automotive Design and Production, this event will present 17 speakers in a day and a half of technical presentations, co-located with the amerimold 2014 expo, also sponsored by Gardner Business Media, parent of Plastics Technology. The conference will comprise four sessions on Materials and Applications, Machinery Systems, Processes, and Long-Fiber Thermoplastic Composites. Last Thursday’s blog by Senior Editor Lilli Sherman previewed Session I on Materials and Applications. Yesterday, I described Session II on Machinery Systems for Automotive TP Composites. Today, I’ll give you a quick look at Session III on Processes for TP Composites. Tomorrow, Lilli will follow up with Session IV on Continuous Unidirectional & Chopped Long-Fiber TP Composites for Automotive.

 

In Session III, you’ll learn about developments in computer simulation for injection molding TP composites, induction heating of injection molds for fast cycles in TP composite overmolding, and layup of thermoplastic continuous-fiber tows and tapes:

 

“Automotive Composites and Simulation: An Overview” by Jeff Higgins, Moldflow technical specialist, Autodesk Inc. He’ll discuss simulation of short, long, and continuous fiber composites.

 

“Overmolding Plastic on CFRP Molded Inserts: Induction Heating Makes It Possible,” by Mathieu Boulanger, business development director, Roctool. He’ll discuss advanced hot/cold mold-temperature cycling for high-speed production of continuous-fiber TP composites.

 

“High quality thermoplastic composites for injection over molding and metal replacement” by Bob Davies, CEO, Fibrtec Inc. This maker of flexible thermoplastic continuous prepreg tows and unidirectional tapes will present an introduction to hybrid preforming using fabrics, Uni-Tape, and tailored fiber placement, as well as rapid consolidation methods.

 

For more details on the conference, visit here. For details on the amerimold show and conference, visit here.