Technology & Innovations - Innovative F-DMC developments for fibrereinfoced plastics ........ p59 - A new product range for marine applications ..... p63 - Innovations .................... p64 - Load-optimised tailored thermoplastic FRP blanks for mass production ..... p60 56 jec composites magazine / No65 May - June 2011 Laser projection for hand lay-up of composites. Red and green. Accurate to the millimeter. SMC The Acell patented SMC process Until recent technical innovations, SMC moulding technology was only viable for high-volume production due to the high investment required for moulds and presses. MICHAEL FRIEH COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR ACELL S.R.L. By he Acell patented sheet moulding compound (SMC) process significantly lowers the entry barrier to SMC moulding technology and makes low-volume production runs economically feasible. Composite panel production In addition, this process can be used to During the process cycle, the SMC manufacture products that current SMC becomes liquid and penetrates the moulding technology cannot produce. open cell structure of the foam (Fig. 2a), creating a true monolithic Process structure. The composite panel is A first layer of SMC is laid flat on a moulded and finished on both sides heated (130°C to 150°C) mould (Fig. in one single operation. The panel 1a). An optional insert (depending on the end product) made of wood, pultruded material or metal can be placed on the mould (Fig. a b 1b). The Acell foam panel is then positioned (Fig. 1c), followed by a second layer of SMC (Fig. 1d). The sandwich d c (SMC/foam/SMC) is loaded and created Fig. 1: SMC sheet laid flat over mould (a) Reinforcement can be added directly onto the depending on end product (b) Acell Foam panel (c) Second layer of SMC to complete panel composition (d) mould. T The sandwich is pressed at 5 kg/m² for a 4 to 6 min. cycle time. During the pressing time, the SMC does not flow across the tool face (X and Y axes) but flows in the Z axis only, which enables the use of many different woven fabrics.http://www.lap-laser.com