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» VACUUM-BAGGING EQUIPMENT
Multi-valve for bag-based infusion
Airtech Advanced Materials Group (Huntington Beach, CA, US) has
introduced the Premium Multi-Valve 408 for bag-based composites
infusion processes. It combines a male quick-disconnect and throughbag
connector, eliminating threaded connections and potential leak
paths. Stainless steel construction ensures corrosion resistance and
long life. A high-temperature O-ring and a platinum cured silicone
gasket help provide what is said to be a long service life. It is interfacecompatible
with the Parker Snap-Tite 0.25-inch-style quick-disconnect.
The valve mechanism and O-ring seals can easily be replaced to
extend useful life.
www.airtechonline.com
» REMOVABLE MANDREL TECHNOLOGY
3D-printable, water-washout trapped tooling
The ExOne Co. (North Huntingdon, PA, US) has qualified a new application,
Water Wash-out Tooling, for its additive manufacturing process.
After identifying the limits of traditional manufacturing techniques
for tooling produced from water-soluble materials, ExOne’s Materials
Applications Laboratory (ExMAL) used ExOne’s 3D printers to build
wash-out cores direct from CAD data, without the need for master
forms or tools. ExOne’s Water Wash-out Tooling process involves the 3D
printing of a core in sand, ceramics or carbon, over which a composite
layup can be applied and cured. The final core is then washed out,
leaving the structural composite part remaining. The process can be used
with polyester, vinyl ester or epoxy resins. The system is fully capable of
autoclave pressures to 8.62 bar and can withstand process temperatures
up to 191°C. To fully realize the resulting tools’ capabilities, ExMAL
developed a new surface coating process. When applied to the printed
core, the coating eliminates the porosity of printed media and provides
extremely smooth surface finishes. Intended for the production of hollow
parts, typical of mandrel or clamshell molding, Water Wash-out Tooling,
says ExOne, is unique when compared with conventional removable
tool/mandrel methods in that all of the print material can be recovered
and reused for future print cycles. Accordingly, it reduces inventory
requirements and removes molding steps to help speed development
time. www.exone.com
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