MOLDS/TOOLS

Molds/Tools

Adapa announces Curve Works as new co-investor

Curve Works owner Dr. François Geuskens is taking a proactive management role as Adapa’s CTO to continue broadening the functionality, application of the company’s adaptive mold system.  

Grace Nehls
Managing Editor, CompositesWorld

Adapa announces Curve Works as new co-investor
Base Materials showcases Ares 770 tooling material
Molds/Tools

Base Materials showcases Ares 770 tooling material

Ares 770 is designed for the manufacture of master models and patterns used in the production of carbon fiber parts, as well as vacuum forming and thermoforming.  

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Molds/Tools

Base Materials launches BE368 epoxy tooling board

Medium-temperature material is designed for the manufacture of master models, patterns, jigs and fixtures.  

Additive Manufacturing

Massivit 3D wins IBEX Innovation Award for additive composite tooling system

The Massivit 10000 provides automated, high-speed tooling for composite materials manufacturing, finds foothold in marine industry.    

Molds/Tools

Plyable secures $3.2 million investment to advance custom composite marketplace solution

Funding from Maven Capital Partners, Solvay Ventures and VC Forward Partners backs growth of time- and cost-saving digital composite tooling product.  

Big parts? Big tooling breakthrough

Electrically heated carbon fiber/PEEK/ceramic tooling and powdered epoxy resin system could revolutionize production of large composite aerospace structures.
#adhesives #autoclave #layup

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Additive Manufacturing |

Metal AM advances in composite tooling, Part 1

Multiple metal additive technologies are gaining market acceptance and interest for composite tooling used in processes ranging from short-fiber injection to autoclave-cure prepreg.
#feature

Peggy Malnati Contributing Writer

Videos / Podcasts

Clemson Composites Center leads research in low-cost composite tooling
Molds/Tools

Clemson Composites Center leads research in low-cost composite tooling

Innovative technology approach to use additive manufacturing and artificial intelligence to produce tools faster, at a lower cost and with less environmental impact.  
#composites4_0

Ex-Core Technologies' Ex-Core 2.0 system features intelligent self-heated tooling, custom-mixed core
Molds/Tools

Ex-Core Technologies' Ex-Core 2.0 system features intelligent self-heated tooling, custom-mixed core

Debuted at JEC World 2022, Ex-Core 2.0 is said to slash production costs compared to conventional prepreg sandwich processes and produce lighter, stronger parts.

JEC 2022 FRP rebar
Automotive

JEC World 2022, Part 3: Emphasizing emerging markets, thermoplastics and carbon fiber

CW editor-in-chief Jeff Sloan identifies companies exhibiting at JEC World 2022 that are advancing both materials and technologies for the growing AAM, hydrogen, automotive and sustainability markets.

Improve production with five-axis machines built for composites
Cutting/Kitting

Improve production with five-axis machines built for composites

Virtually tour (4) USA-Made 5-Axis CNC Machines designed and engineered to help companies improve profits by decreasing cycle times and improving part quality. (Sponsored)

Converting from hand layup to open mold spray-up process
Molds/Tools

Converting from hand layup to open mold spray-up process

In this Digital Demo, Sam Cruz, MVP's Senior Product Manager, talks about how to convert from hand lay-up process to spraying fiberglass and offers an overview of the benefits. (Sponsored)

Thermwood Boeing large scale additive manufacturing of composite tool
Additive Manufacturing

Collaborative Boeing-led project validates large-scale composite AM tooling

The U.S. Navy-funded program demonstrated a large-scale, autoclave-curable 3D-printed carbon fiber composite tool using a Thermwood LSAM machine.
#application

RACER canopy.
Prepregs

Leveraging motorsports composites for next-gen rotorcraft

FastCan consortium integrates hollow, solid and cored CFRP into single-cure, single-piece canopy for reduced weight and cost.
#cleansky #focusondesign

Museum of the Future composites cladding panels being installed
Molds/Tools |

Composites enable epic interior for Museum of the Future

For this one-of-a-kind lobby, AFI pioneered digital, reconfigurable molds to achieve organic-shaped, multifunctional panels and stairwell cladding.
#insidemanufacturing

Ginger Gardiner Senior Technical Editor, CompositesWorld
Clemson Composites Center leads research in low-cost composite tooling
Molds/Tools

Clemson Composites Center leads research in low-cost composite tooling

Innovative technology approach to use additive manufacturing and artificial intelligence to produce tools faster, at a lower cost and with less environmental impact.  
#composites4_0

HORYZN emergency UAV harnesses CFRP tooling from Voith Composites
Carbon Fibers

HORYZN emergency UAV harnesses CFRP tooling from Voith Composites

Voith Composites collaborated with HORYZN, a student initiative that leverages CFRP tooling and composites know-how for its Mission Pulse UAV project.  

Fortify, polySpectra awarded $3 million by DOE to advance 3D-printed tooling
Molds/Tools

Fortify, polySpectra awarded $3 million by DOE to advance 3D-printed tooling

Fortify is to develop inexpensive, durable solutions for lightweighting automotive components using polymers, composites and metals, advancing vehicle part commercialization.  

Carbon Fibers

Voith Composites partnership with Gazechim Group delivers Carbon4Tool tooling system to Europe

With Gazechim Group as the European distributor, Voith hopes to empower faster, easier and more effective CFRP tool manufacturing via its next-generation technology.  
#composites4_0

Molds/Tools

Airtech 3D-printed composite tooling takes Brumos Racing team to Pikes Peak 100th running

As the Brumos Racing technical partner, Airtech assisted BBi Autosport’s vehicle manufacture by providing aerodynamic enhancements to the Porsche GT2 RS Clubsport via Dahltram printing resins and Print-Tech.  
#trends

Additive Manufacturing

EnvisionTEC, Covestro collaborate on material, printer solutions for DLP 3D printing tooling applications

Covestro DLP resin e-PerFORM used with EnvisionTEC’s Perfactory P4K series DLP 3D printing demonstrates faster, more cost-effective print speeds for the production of injection molding tooling.

Molds/Tools |

Why does my composite mold leak under vacuum or applied pressure?

Louis Dorworth of Abaris Training Resources outlines key considerations to make when fabricating quality composite molds to minimize risk of leakage under pressure or vacuum.
#troubleshooter

NEW PRODUCTS: MOLDS/TOOLS

Solvay launches LTM 350 low-temperature composite tooling prepreg 
Molds/Tools

Solvay launches LTM 350 low-temperature composite tooling prepreg 

Carbon fiber epoxy prepreg sets new standards in cost-efficient composite tooling with fast layup, fast initial cure and short post-cure cycles.  

Ex-Core Technologies' Ex-Core 2.0 system features intelligent self-heated tooling, custom-mixed core
Molds/Tools

Ex-Core Technologies' Ex-Core 2.0 system features intelligent self-heated tooling, custom-mixed core

Debuted at JEC World 2022, Ex-Core 2.0 is said to slash production costs compared to conventional prepreg sandwich processes and produce lighter, stronger parts.

PRF Composite Materials launches Q.tool prepreg tooling system
Epoxies

PRF Composite Materials launches Q.tool prepreg tooling system

Newly developed Q.tool combines RP800 epoxy with 1,020 g/m2 bulk plies for increased layup speed, reduced number of debulks and better surface finish.
#layup

External, internal mold release systems
Molds/Tools

External, internal mold release systems

Acmos Inc. has published a product brochure that outlines the types and capabilities of mold release systems offered by the company.

Ru-bix launches a range of bio-based, hybrid tooling boards
Molds/Tools

Ru-bix launches a range of bio-based, hybrid tooling boards

Ru-bix’s new tooling board products include boards that uses a mix of biomaterial and recycled board swarf, and hybrid boards with high Tg and low CTE.
#sustainability #biomaterials

ExOne launches comprehensive industrial-grade, 3D-printed tooling solutions
Molds/Tools

ExOne launches comprehensive industrial-grade, 3D-printed tooling solutions

X1 Tooling, reported to be the broadest portfolio available to manufacturers, offers fast, affordable and local tooling options for the final production of metal, plastic and composite designs.

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