Centre for Advanced Composite Materials
Manufacturing equipment
A range of configurable instrumented manufacturing equipment enables us to analyse production processes and produce custom composites and structures.
Extruders
Several extruders, including:
Brabender DSE 20 computer-controlled co-rotating twin screw extruder suitable for polymer blending
- Screw diameter 20 mm
- Length/diameter ratio (L/D) 40
- Operating range Up to 600 rpm, 300 bar and 40 N.m limit per screw
Cincinnati Milacron TC-35 computer-controlled co-rotating twin screw extruder
- Screw diameter 35/75 mm (front/rear)
- Length/diameter ratio (L/D) 23
- Speed range 10 – 50 rpm
- Available torque 820 N.m per screw
Heated presses
A range of heated presses, from 10 – 100 ton.
Capacity | Platen size | Peak platen temperature |
Heating elements |
---|---|---|---|
10 T | 150 x 150 mm | 250 ºC | Electric |
50 T | 700 x 380 mm | 300 ºC | Electric |
100 T | 700 x 700 mm | Up to 210 ºC | Oil or water heaters |
Resin infusion and RTM light facilities
Stereophotogrammetry system for dynamic thickness measurements during flexible mould processes.
Range of moulds and peripheral equipment, including vacuum pumps and instrumentation.
Rigid tool RTM and CRTM facilities
Moulds
CACM has a range of rigid-tool RTM and CRTM moulds, which can be utilised in various presses and testing machines. These include planar and non-planar geometries with a range of monitoring instrumentation.
TekScan – distributed pressure monitoring
CACM has a TekScan distributed pressure monitoring system used to take distributed stress measurements during RTM and CRTM processes.
Sensor sizes
55.9 x 55.9 mm (62 sensels per cm² )
238.0 x 238.0 mm (3.4 sensels per cm² )
482.1 x 206.8 mm (2.3 sensels per cm² )
Ultrasonic welder
Rinco MP2022 Ultrasonice Press Machine
- Frequency 20 kHz
- Maximum force 3000 N
- Maximum stroke 20 – 100 mm
Rotational moulder
Custom built "rock and roll" type lab-scale rotomoulding oven.
- Axes individually controllable, heating capacity up to ~5kW, forced-air convection cooling.
- Datalogging of temperatures inside oven and mould air cavities.
- Moulds to create panels up to 210x220mm, teflon coating, venting available.
- Multiple shot capability.
- Lab-scale mill for custom rotomouldable powder production.
Sample cutting (clicking) press
- Repeatable sample cutting (with numerous custom blades)
- Platen size: 500 x 500 mm
Drying ovens and dehumidifiers
The centre also has a range of ovens and dehumidifiers.
Elecfurn FAC 100/40/100 oven
Peak temperature | 400 ºC |
Squaroid Duo-Vac oven
Vacuum capable
Peak temperature | 300 ºC |
Napco 5861 Vacuum oven
Temperature range | 35-200 ºC |