JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #67 - August/September 2011 - 8

point of view: Thomas Hedger
entered the marketplace engaged in new technology and are leading the way in proving what can be accomplished with composites. A good example of this is Scaled Composites (Burt Rutan), from building the first plane to fly around the world on a single tank of fuel to winning the X prize for reaching sub-orbital space; this is a terrific example of showing what composites can offer. I am concerned about the customer base that is still using technology developed fifty years ago. While there have been advancements in open moulding, I grow concerned that new start-up companies around the globe will not use the best applicable methods in the marketplace. By working the same way some of these companies did 50 years ago, they may find themselves at a disadvantage when trying to compete with products that Flex Molding Process training for composites manufacturers are made in a far more cost-effective manner. I believe many of them We are actively are still recovering from the demonstrating and recession, not unlike ourselves, and implementing a newer investing in new technology may and even cleaner be attractive, however it may not manufacturing processes be economically viable to commit for the end user the time or capital at this time. I do believe we will see a resurgence of JCM: Do you have a message advancements across the for the American market, composite manufacturing which is still the largest spectrum driven by the need to JCM: Technologies are evolving market in value? compete globally, resulting in very quickly. What is your T.A.H.: The US market is further innovations and message to incredibly diverse. We have advancements. I also anticipate manufacturers/processors? numerous customers that have there will be growing demands
(following of article on p.4) to a

About MVP

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jec composites magazine / No67 August - September 2011

potential political agenda. Overall, though I think it safe to say that there are enough case studies and end users around the world that have successfully converted to cleaner manufacturing methods, I suspect one way or another the adaptation of new technology will prevail. I would expect more and more end users to begin exploration and eventual conversion to cleaner manufacturing methods. It is slower than I expected but I suspect governmental involvement will drive this forward. When we have converted customers to closed moulding, it doesn’t take long to see this technology is not only cleaner but far more cost effective. MVP has always been concerned about the impact of our industry on the environment and has invested millions in research and development that have played a part in reducing emissions. We were the first company to provide impingement application technology to the spray-up market, which resulted in the reduction of styrene emissions by literally millions of pounds and now with the development of Flex Molding forming partnerships with key suppliers like Composites One and our distributors around the world, we are actively demonstrating and implementing a newer and even cleaner manufacturing processes for the end user.

T.A.H.: I would urge all of them to start participating more actively by becoming more involved with their suppliers and investigating some of the periodicals as well as some of the venues that have been provided by organisations like yours and others that are more application specific. It is hard to tell where some of the advances will emerge and I believe it to be very important that prior to investing in new technology customers should be aware of their options. MVP is now rebuilding its website in the hope that networking more effectively will make some of the transfer of information more rapid.

JCM: What do you think are the main challenges facing composite materials?

from the government that will drive customers to consider new technology.

Magnum Venus Plastech is the largest composites equipment manufacturer in the world. MVP maintains relationships with a network of over 200 individual service-

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oriented distributors throughout the world as well as 21 North American direct sales representatives providing equipment solutions for all operations, from the small start-up to the fully automated factory.

T.A.H.: I still believe there is a large portion of manufacturing that either does not grasp or does not want to engage in the use of composites as alternative manufacturing materials. Years ago, we participated in a naval project that proved beyond a doubt that the use of composites in this application was far superior to that of steel. Even when all the data was analysed, the decision was to use steel. It could be that in larger non-composite commercial manufacturing there is still a fear of change or the unknown. It is only a matter of time before we see that large-scale commercial use of composites is not only feasible but will provide the solution many manufacturers are looking for; whether it be a lighter weight automobile or lighter and stronger aircraft. We have even seen this in civil engineering where you have an entire community of civil engineers that have worked specifically with steel and concrete for decades and have a comfort level that is difficult to penetrate. MVP is proud to be a member of this extremely dynamic industry. We truly believe the growing needs of the global industry will more often be looking towards composites for solutions and we look forward to the revolutionary applications that will transform the marketplace. n
More information: www.mvpind.com

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JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #67 - August/September 2011

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #67 - August/September 2011