JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #43 - September 2008 - 30

FEATURE “Marine” Seamless modelling paste for automated production of large plugs and models From small beginnings as a way to replace hand-styled clay models in the automotive industry, seamless modelling paste is rapidly becoming the number one choice in the marine industry for large scale plugs and models. More information DUNCAN HOWLAND TECHNICAL SUPPORT ENGINEER WIND, MARINE & SPORT HUNTSMAN ADVANCED MATERIALS S eamless modelling pastes (SMP) typically consist of highly thixotropic two-component thermoset materials. They are mixed to a precise ratio using a special pumping/dosing machine that is similar to those used for adhesive application. The paste is extruded onto a lightweight support (often expanded polystyrene) and forms a seamless film, typically of 10-40mm thickness. Once cured, the material is precisely milled using CNC technology linked to CAD/CAM software to produce high-precision plugs and models. Initially used for automotive styling applications, SMP now plays an important role in the manufacture of plugs for composite mould construction. Until recently, plug making was a highly skilled task using traditional techniques and materials such as wood and mastic. SMP has brought a new level of precision, lowered plug manufacturing time, enabled increased complexity of models, and removed the need for highly specialised hand work. Huntsman is a global manufacturer and marketer of differentiated chemicals. Its operating companies manufacture products for a variety of global industries, including chemicals, plastics, automotive, aviation, textiles, footwear, paints and coatings, construction, technology, agriculture, health care, detergents, personal care, furniture, appliances and packaging. Huntsman today has 13,000 employees and operates from multiple locations worldwide. The Company had 2007 revenues of over $10 billion. Computerisation and automation Whilst experiments with SMP can be traced back as far as the early 1970s, it was not until modern computer design and manufacturing techniques were developed that the technology was really adopted. In particular, CAD/CAM design linked to computer numerical control (CNC) milling made great advances with SMP technology possible (figures 1 and 2). As more and more industries have seen the benefits of this type of technology, SMP has grown from Fig. 1: CNC milling of boat deck automotive applications to wind turbine, mass transport and marine applications. The change in industry practice from relatively small (a few metres) hand applied parts for the automotive industry to parts up to 50m or more in size pioneered by wind turbine manufacturers, has brought new advances in the use of this technology. In particular, automated paste application – where the paste is extruded using either a programmed CNC machine or a robot – has cut manual labour and enabled new levels of speed and precision. (photos courtesy Decision, El-Bo Produktion) (photo courtesy El-Bo Produktion) Fig. 2: Automated SMP application using CNC machine The change from hand application to large-scale robotic automation has brought new challenges when using SMP technology, and products have evolved since the early days of hand-applied automotive models. Initially developed by Ciba in Europe, RenPaste® seamless modelling pastes have evolved as market needs have changed. Huntsman continues to drive the development of this range. JEC Composites Magazine / No43 September 2008

JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #43 - September 2008

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #43 - September 2008