Mexican Media Brands
Pressing Composites
When we think 4,000-ton hydraulic presses, making sheet metal body panels comes to mind.
.jpg;width=70;height=70;mode=crop)
Share
When we think 4,000-ton hydraulic presses, making sheet metal body panels comes to mind.
Which, clearly, is old thinking.
This Schuler upstroke short-stroke press has with a clamping surface of 142 x 94 inches is installed at the Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation (IACMI) facility in Detroit, where it will be used to develop vehicle parts, as well as other components.
According to Ray Boeman, associate director of vehicle technology and program manager responsible for the Detroit facility, “The efficient and economic production of fiber reinforced plastics is a key opportunity here, and industry has identified a long term challenge – open-access to composite manufacturing equipment where technology can be developed and demonstrated on full-scale prototypes. With Schuler, we are bringing a key composite manufacturing capability online at the only facility of its kind in the US.”
Speaking of the press, Paul Nicholson, CEO of Schuler North America, explains, “Our technology not only offers a dynamic force control for reduced energy consumption, but also a greatly reduced mold try-out and wear compensation which ensures a fast development process for the IACMI. Furthermore, the congruent bending lines of slide and table compensate natural variations in process variables and materials.”
Congruent bending lines? They’re necessary for producing thin parts within limited tolerances below 0.01 inches. Like body panels.
The IACMI, which is headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee, is part of the Manufacturing USA network. The organization’s objectives include reducing the costs for carbon-fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP) by 25 percent, reducing CFRP embodied energy by 50 percent and increasing CFRP recyclability by 80 percent.
The Detroit facility is operated by Michigan State University, and it receives support from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.
RELATED CONTENT
-
Jeeps Modified for Moab
On Easter morning in Moab, Utah, when the population of that exceedingly-hard-to-get-to town in one of the most beautiful settings on Earth has more than doubled, some people won’t be hunting for Easter eggs, but will be trying to get a good look at one of the vehicles six that Jeep has prepared for real-life, fast-feedback from the assembled at the annual Easter Jeep Safari.
-
On Developments at Lincoln, Magna, Fiskar, Volvo and More
Lincoln’s plans for electric; Magna and Fisker working together; Polestar in South Carolina; the Volvo XC60 driven; VW gets deep into 3D; Porsche exec on electric; BMW and hydrogen; Staubli cell for tire sensors; and Bridgestone invests in autonomous trucking company.
-
On Rafael Nadal, BTS, and Carbon Neutrality
A contributor to the VW ID.4 five-star rating? Does that Chevy crate engine look vintage? Can a tennis star and K-pop celebs move the needle on carbon neutrality? Would you buy a car to get a. . .jacket? And developments in the arena of manufacturing process.
