JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #39 - March/April 2008 - 72

SPECIAL JEC COMPOSITES 2008 parameter that needs to be controlled, since it directly impacts the manufacturing quality of RTM parts. Nominee: Magnum Venus Plastech Ltd-RTM (UK) MVP’s RTM division; support services to RTM mould manufacturers Partnership Network: Magnum Venus Plastech (USA) Design of the Patriot system and design support for the Patriot SSB system, which combines the Megaject SSB and the Patriot systems, Magnum Venus Plastech Ltd (UK), Biobe AS (Norvège) User of the Megaject SSB system (transport sector), Boston Whaler (USA) Boat builder, user of the Patriot system, Multina (USA) User of the Patriot system, manufacturer (transport sector) Name of Product or Process: Megaject Patriot SSB meter mix machine for the RTM process. The innovative feature is the intrinsically-safe air-motorized catalyst ratio control. Description: The machine combines the Patriot resin pumping system with the MotoCat catalyst metering system. The catalyst ratio is easily adjusted at the turn of a switch. The main advantages of the machine are the accurate resin/catalyst mix ratio and the easy adjustment of the catalyst percentage throughout the RTM process. Catalyst metering accuracy is a Nominee: DLR Braunschweig (Germany) Aerospace research centre Partnership Network: Scholz Maschinenbau GmbH & Co KG (Germany) Development and manufacture of the microwave autoclave, Fricke und Mallah Microwave Technology GmbH (Germany) Development and manufacture of the autoclave’s microwave components Name of Product or Process: Autoclave with both microwave and standard electric heat. Description: Autoclaves serve to apply pressure and a certain level of heat to composite parts made of prepreg fabrics. The heat is provided by hot air – making it conductive, which is a relatively inefficient method of heat transfer, especially for large parts. A prototype 1.6 m in diameter and 4 m long (8 m3 in volume) was designed that can use either heating method. Microwave power: 96 kW; conventional heating power: 231 kW. Operating pressure: 12 bar. SOFTWARE Winner: Advanced Composites Group (UK) Prepreg manufacturer Partnership Network: FEA (UK) Ltd. Finite element software designer, BAE Systems Plc (UK) Software use and validation, feedback to software developers on accuracy and usability, Bombardier Aerospace (UK) Software use and validation, feedback to software developers on accuracy and usability Name of Product or Process: Precimould tool design software; written as a module within the Lusas code. Description: Precimould makes it possible to design the shape of tool surface required to produce a finished part as close as possible to the require size and shape. This software tool is used within the Lusas finite element code. It was designed so that an experienced CAD operator can quickly learn how to use Precimould without an extensive background in finite element analysis. Advantages or Salient Features: A “right-first-time” tool design avoids costly re-machining and remanufacturing of the tool, thus reducing lead times. The software tool reduces processing distortions that cause part inaccuracies or noncompliances resulting in poor fits during assembly. According to the applicant, millions of euros could be saved per annum. State of Development: The development stage took several years. The first step consisted in understanding the part distortion process and identifying the parameters involved. The subsequent software solution design process included an extensive study of material properties and behaviours. Finally, the software was validated by comparing modelling data with experimental measurements. The product is being launched in three areas: sale of licenses to composite tool and part designers, use of the tool within ACG and FEA for consultancy work, and use by ACG to produce optimized tools for their customers. platform for composite parts, is multiscalar (from the microstructure to the entire part) rather than linear. It uses the matrix, reinforcement, microstructure and morphological properties (fibres, orientation, and fibre volume and weight fractions) to infer the thermomechanical behaviour. Its potential is illustrated through the example of a clutch pedal. Description: Digimat consists of six modules that correspond to the different part features, constituent materials, and mathematical and Nominee: e-Xstream engineering (Belgium) Composite modelling software and consulting Partnership Network: Rhodia Polyamide (F) Polyamide producer; failure and damage analysis of the polyamide/glass parts; validation of the software solution, Trelleborg (F) Moulding company, design and validation of the pedal holder Name of Product or Process: Digimat, a design software JEC Composites Magazine / No39 March-April 2008

JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #39 - March/April 2008

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #39 - March/April 2008