Boost Your Production, Quality, & Revenue through Our Automation of Revolutionary Tooling Mandrel Manufacturing Process
April 2, 2024When you partner with us, you expect the most progressive technology for your complex aerospace structures. And we’re sparking innovation once more with an exclusive technology triad with Wichita’s National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR) and German manufacturing company KraussMaffei.
We’ve been collaborating with KraussMaffei and NIAR to customize a specialized unit utilizing the resources at NIAR’s ATLAS facility.
Let us introduce the GX 1100-4300 Direct Compounding Injection Molding (DCIM) system, with a clamping force of 11,000 KN, enhancing our ThermocoreTM Lost Core Tooling System (LCTS) capabilities. It allows customization of individual ThermocoreTM formulations for your company’s processing needs.
The system will be online in Wichita starting May 2024.
This cutting-edge technology paves the way for your company to achieve low-cost, high-rate production of complex composite structures utilizing our advanced manufacturing processes.
Get details about how this industry transformation positions your company for success.
Our unique Lost Core Resin Transfer Molding (LCRTM) process utilizes its thermally stable ThermocoreTM mandrel material to form the hollow cavities of complex hollow parts such as propellers, wings, landing gear, flight control surfaces, airframes, etc. Unique advantages of molding with the ThermocoreTM process include:
- Complex, integrated structures with internal ribs, spars, and fittings molded in a single process.
- Lightweight, durable tooling mandrels with controlled thermal expansion properties.
- a low melt viscosity and is removed completely through small drainage passages, typically during a free-standing post-cure.
- internal cavities with exceptional definition, surface quality, and dimensional control compared to other methods. High fiber volumes are typically achieved.
- adaptation to prepreg processes as higher-temperature materials are being developed.
The KraussMaffei machine’s 1,400-ton injection molding capability also enables us to expand into thermoplastic composite overmolding and injection molding of structural aerospace components, which is planned for early 2025.
When you partner with us, we’ll harness cutting-edge, low-cost automation solutions with our ThermocoreTM LCTS system and propel you to the forefront of manufacturing innovation.
This ground-breaking innovation is a testament to our commitment to providing you with affordable, high-quality composite solutions.
Your company, our community, and the capabilities of U.S. aerospace and national defense strengthen when we marry technological advancement with strategic industry partnerships.