JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #65 - May/June 2011 - 59

Innovative D-SMC developments for fibre-reinforced plastics
In conventional SMC processing, semi-finished part production and processing are spatially and temporally separate. Extremely complex logistics and, therefore, financial expenditures are required to ensure the constant quality of semi-finished parts and, ultimately, of the end-products.

D-SMC

MATTHIAS GRAF, TECHNICAL DIRECTOR BUSINESS UNIT FORMING DIEFFENBACHER GMBH +CO. KG

he direct SMC process (DSMC) bypasses the costly steps of wrapping, storing and logistics management of semi-finished parts associated with conventional SMC processes.

Significant time savings
The direct compounding technology enables the continuous production of sheet moulding compounds and their subsequent direct processing into the
DIEFFENBACHER SMC-Directline

component using an extrusion compression moulding process. This innovative single-stage process eliminates a maturation time of several days, which is a huge advantage in terms of time- and cost-effectiveness. It reduces the time needed to turn the raw materials into the finished component to a matter of minutes and eliminates logistics expenses. The elimination of the semi-finished part intermediate step allows for simultaneous variations of each individual recipe component (e.g. fillers and reinforcement fibres) during the process. This approach also maximises flexibility during component production. The world's first pilot system of this kind is already in service.

from 800 to 1,600 mm. Designed with an output capacity of 500 - 1,000 kg/h, the line that serves for the central production of SMC can fully automatically feed several presses directly connected to the line. The effective production width can be adjusted online by 50 to 100 fold of the nominal width. An optimised adaptation to the required cutting size that minimises cutting losses is one of the main advantages of this innovation.

High-quality production

Using constant processing parameters, the D-SMC system produces a flat SMC material that can be pressed just like conventionally-produced semifinished SMC parts. An integrated SMC cutting machine produces the loading packages, which are then automatically fed to the press die. The D-SMC line can be provided with different standard widths ranging

No65 May - June 2011 / jec composites magazine

High flexibility

A glass fibre proportion from 20% to 38% (max.) can be achieved. The Dieffenbacher plant can even produce low-density SMC if hollow glass balls are worked in. A master line control system connects the direct compounding system to the cutting station, the automation units and the press. The control system for the D-SMC machine allows componentspecific recipes and formulations to be set and changed individually within a matter of minutes. For quality assurance purposes, all parameters are monitored and recorded right up to the finished product. n
More information: www.dieffenbacher.de

Technology & Innovations

http://www.dieffenbacher.de

JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #65 - May/June 2011

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #65 - May/June 2011