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News Release from: National Composite Center (NCC)
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 09 January 2007
Funds given to advance moulding process
A moulding process that uses fluid-filled, balanced pressure, heated floating mold technology for composite materials will be modified with nano particles.
The National Composite Center (NCC) announced it will receive operational funds from the State of Ohio, USA, to launch a programme that will fuse two key technologies to give aerospace and automotive manufacturers critical material performance advantages The programme is expected to add jobs to the Dayton region
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 22 May 2006 at 8.00am (UK)
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The funds are part of an umbrella award that helped to establish the Center for Multifunctional Polymer Nanomaterials and Devices (CMPND) at NCC in 2005.
Managed by the University of Dayton Research Institute (UDRI), NCC supports CMPND with its commercialization capabilities.
In collaboration with UDRI, NCC is teaming with Ashland Performance Materials (a division of Ashland), Owens Corning, Ohio State University and WebCore Technologies, to take material produced with Quickstep to a higher level of performance by modifying it with nano particles.
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Quickstep, a unique molding process, was unveiled in October when Quickstep Technologies Pty (a subsidiary of Quickstep Holdings) established its North American Quickstep Center of Excellence at NCC's Dayton Campus for Advanced Materials Technologies (DC-AMT).
The Quickstep process uses fluid-filled, balanced pressure, heated floating mold technology for the curing, partial curing and joining of composite materials.
The process can use thermoset and certain thermoplastics prepregs as well as wet resin/dry fiber to produce superior composite parts that feature improved strength, stiffness, surface finish and appearance while achieving aerospace grade void contents of less than two percent.
"Quickstep has a much faster cycle time than normal aerospace autoclave processes," said Harry Couch, NCC technical consultant.
"The use of nano particles will allow us to take the advantages already provided by Quickstep to the next level by improving shear strength and toughness in aerospace and automotive applications.
The first application for this nano-enhanced material will be personal protection devices." By harnessing the special strengths of these processes, NCC will be able to give manufacturers a competitive edge over global low cost sourcing.
"As a commercialization agent that nurtures entrepreneurial development through incubation and manufacturing acceleration, we understand the practical value of equipping manufacturers with the advanced technologies they need to compete," said Lou Luedtke, president of NCC.
"This cooperative venture is a good example of how technology can be transferred into jobs that help produce better products." * About NCC - since 1996, the National Composite Center has built its reputation on pioneering the development and application of composite materials to the aerospace and defense, automotive, commercial and infrastructure markets.
Today NCC is recognized as a premier commercialization agent for advanced materials technology in regional, national and international markets.
Over the last decade, the Center has used its engineering expertise and in-house knowledge to grow a comprehensive resource of capabilities that include design optimization, Rapid Fiber and Large Scale Preforming, closed molding, Long Fiber Reinforced Thermoplastics, Litecast and nanocomposite technology.
As a manufacturing accelerator, NCC helps companies link the right composite materials and processes and dramatically shortens the time it takes to move from the concept stage to production ready parts.
NCC has also established a full-scale pilot production facility where companies can develop large-scale manufacturing methods and establish new industry standards.
The Center's unique economic development model provides critical incubation services and helps launch new businesses.
NCC's nearby satellite facility - the Dayton Campus for Advanced Materials Technologies (DC-AMT), expands the range of technology and support services available to companies that want to harness the advantages of composites.
As a 'gatekeeper' for the composite age, NCC remains committed to the exploration of advanced manufacturing technologies to provide industry and consumers alike with high performance materials that last longer and cost less.
By teaming with industry, universities and government, NCC continues to bridge the gap between science and practicality to provide dynamic solutions that strengthen commerce in Ohio and equip manufacturers in the United States to compete in a global marketplace.
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