Composite Molding Presses
Thermoset and Composite Molding
Stunning! A press which tilts to 25°.....while the mold continues to be heated up
Very special specs:
- A machine of 8,400 mm height
- Clamping force: 2500 kN
- Plates: 3 m x 4 m
- An opening stroke of de 3.20 m
- The press tilts while the mold continues to be heated up
- A shuttle table
- A 2m deep pit.
The biggest press of this type in the world
Mr Roland PERROLLIER, Industrial Manager of the COURBIS Group witnesses as follows:
"We submitted our specification for a very specific press intended for the molding of site vehicle engine hoods of 2 m x 1 m x 1 m and 30 kg.
Considering the complexity of the parts at low-pressure injection and a relatively low closing force, the press needed to "tilt" to let the flue gas exit through the parting line and allow for optimized filling and a bubble-free part.
After several project reviews following the discussions with the engineers of REP and Tung Yu, the press was ready within the deadlines defined. During the FAT at Tung Yu, we could run the tests with our own mold and discover its operation far beyond our expectations, mainly in terms of process control. The press was shipped with its accessories without any problem.
Installed and commissioned in January 2014, our local technicians could easily get familiar with thanks to the simplicity of its controls and the memorization of the molding parameters. Very satisfied, we turned again toward REP for our next step, the production in Brazil."
Thermoset and Composite Molding
An implementation in the sanitary industry
Compression presses in semi-cleanroom at Dubourgel-Grange's plant (France)
The company Dubourgel-Grange based in Fontaine, France, is known for the quality of their range of sanitary articles.
The production facility is equipped with a large pool of presses from 400 to 6000 kN clamping force with manipulators and robots.
In 2009, Tung Yu compression presses were supplied by REP, among which three double-station TYC-22 presses.
- Clamping force: 5000 kN
- Plates: 800 mm x 800 mm.
These machines are used to produce high-end toilet covers and seats made in thermoset resin (urea-formaldehyde).
They are fully automated (loading and unloading robot) and operate round the clock, and often 7 day/weeks.
Thermoset and Composite Molding
Bridge-type compression press TPS-2000-A-PCD
Clamping force: 20000 kN
Specific pressure 500 kg/cm²
Dimensions of heater plates: 1500 x 1500 mm
Minimum mould closing speed: 0.03 mm/s
Also available in a 10,000 ton version!
Implementation examples: We supplied to a Korean manufacturer of large television screens a machine with platens of 2,800 mm x 1,600 mm for which we obtained a parallelism of 0.05mm.
Hydraulic compression molding machine TYC-12-S-PCD-2L-UP
Clamping force: 1500 kN
Closing from the top
Specific pressure 600 kg/cm²
Safety: light curtain, dual-hand control
Available as single-deck or double-deck machine
Implementation examples: dielectric resonator
Hydraulic compression forming machine for abrasive materials TYC-22-PCD-UP
Clamping force: 5000 kN
Closing from the top
Specific pressure 2600 kg/cm²
Bottom ejection battery
Implementation examples: brake pads, clutch disks, powder metal parts
Multideck hot/cold forming press TPS-200-PCD-3L
Clamping force: 2000 kN
Available also as double station , triple station or multistation.
Hot cold process for carbon or glass fiber applications.
Implementation examples: carbon bicycle forks
Compression and transfer molding for thermoset parts
Clamping force: 2000 kN
Implementation examples: connector parts, pharmastoppers
Thermoset and Composite Molding
Did you know REP also supplies composite molding presses?
The composite materials sector is booming
Composite materials were originally used in the aircraft industry, but they gradually reach into every mass production sector. They have many and varied applications, such as:
- automotive industry (body panels, engine hoods)
- electric industry (connectors made of thermosetting materials),
- sanitary industry (toilet seats and covers),
- household appliances (irons),
- sport and leisures (bicycle parts, tennis rackets).
Composite molded parts are light-weight shock-proof and corrosion-resistant parts. Despite their big size, they are extremely steady and stable.
BMC or SMC are materials with many qualities
Composite materials, for instance PDCPD (polydicyclopentadiene), BMC (Bulk Molding Compound), SMC (Sheet Molding Compound) - are polyester-resin-based thermoset compounds, reinforced with glass or carbon fibers, fillers and various additives. The resin may be pre-preg.
Compared to traditional materials, composite materials offer many advantages thanks to their chemical, thermal and electrical properties.
The main processes used for forming composite parts are BMC compression molding, SMC compression molding, RIM injection ("Reaction Injection Moulding") and RTM injection ("Resin Transfer Moulding").
Manufacturers of hydraulic presses adapt to the composites market
Composite and thermoset materials have a low viscosity thus implying mold heating, but they do not require high pressures. This permits using compression presses with much larger platens.
As Stewart Knight, sales manager in charge of the commercialization of TUNG YU's presses at REP, tells us, "all we need is a press that provides heat and pressure! And that's exactly what Tung Yu is doing well".
The REP group has been successfully distributing for 10 years the compression presses made by their Taiwanese partner TUNG YU whose offer is 80-percent customized.
Vacuum compression molding, hot-cold presses, sandwich molding, presses to mold friction parts, presses in clean rooms, etc., TUNG YU has broad and diverse experience as evidenced here by a customer with very unusual specs: a compression press with a closing force of 250 tons with platens of 3m x 4m and an opening stroke of 3.20 m, which tilts to 25°.....while the mold continues to be heated up.
You may like our videos of compression presses on our YouTube page too.
Best placed to understand your needs, REP is there to listen to your project and provide you in partnership with Tung Yu with solutions for molding composite and non-rubber materials. Our offer ranks quite well with a competitive quality/service/price ratio.
