SAMPE Journal - July/August 2016 - 49

JaPan RePort
5th Technical Information Exchange Meeting
Yasunari Kuratani
SAMPE Japan Region held its 5th Technical
Membership & Publicity Committee
Information Conference of 2016 on April 13th
kuratani@kado-corporation.com
at the Asano Co., Ltd. head office's Gunma
Factory, which produces prototype parts and
press metal molds for mass production under
co-sponsorship. In cooperation with RocTool
K.K. Japan and Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company, Inc., SAMPE Japan held practical demonstrations
for hot press mold manufacturing of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Thermoplastics (CFRTPs) and injection
mold manufacturing, in addition to a plant tour of the Asano factory. The conference was highly
stimulating for all of the participants, and the technology details are described below.
Technical Presentation Content
1. "Technological Development of CFRTPs" by Asano
Co., Ltd.: Asano has conducted research and
development for the manufacturing of CFRTP
composites, and the company provided an
explanation of actual case studies whereby
the technological degree of difficulty has been
increased in a step-by-step fashion through the
processes of large scale molding, deep draw
forming, and integral molding of metals. Also, it
introduced a hybrid molding technology which
carries out press molding, injection molding, and
die trimming and piercing in one metal molding
process. (Patent pending)
2. "Introduction of Mold Heating Technology with High Frequency
Induction Heating" by RocTool K.K. Japan: High
Frequency Induction Heating's distinguishing feature
is its rapid heating and cooling capability. It has been
applied to press molding of CFRPs and high-grade
plastics molding. RocTool does not only sell heating
equipment, but also provides the use of a licensee's
patent and tremendous manufacturing know-how
in the form of a licensing agreement. Furthermore,
the company offers the advantage of total support
for development, including thermal analysis of die, support for mold design by means of molding
simulations, training, and molding trials.
3. "Introduction of Developed Continuous Fiber Reinforced Polycarbonate Prepreg" by Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company
In spite of being a thermoplastic resin material, the mechanical properties this material are the same as
those of a thermosetting epoxy resin CFRP. Other favorable properties are its forming efficiency and its
surface finish. (Prepregs were provided at the demonstration free of charge.)
Demonstration: Hot Press Molding and Injection Molding for CFRTPs
A trial prototype simulating a B5-size tablet case was manufactured through hot press molding. Metal
and integral molding technology was used to manufacture a prototype for injection molding. (Wiring
was configured so as to supply high-frequency power to both the hot press and the injection molding
machines.) The cycle time was very short (at approximately 3 minutes) with the mold temperature set at
320°C.
SAMPE Journal, Volume 52, No. 4, July/August 2016

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of SAMPE Journal - July/August 2016