JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #56 - April 2010 - 38

SPECIAL jec composites show 2010
SPORTS & LEISURE
Winner: Corima S.A. (France)
Partnership network: Hexcel Composites (France); Evonik (Germany) Name: Carbon wheel for the road bicycle market. This CORIMA AERO+ MCC is a 100%-carbon wheel produced using a complete composite process. Description: The rim is made of UD and taffetas carbon prepreg fibres (Hexcel) wrapped on a Rohacell foam (Evonik). The hub is partly made of prepreg carbon fibres and the spokes are totally made of carbon prepreg fibres. Some parts are overmoulded and others are adhesive bonded with a structural epoxy adhesive (3M). A very high performance wheel is thus produced. Advantages or salient features: - Low weight: Only 1,000 g for a pair of wheels! The low density of carbon fibre is a significant advantage; - Inertia: The thickness of the carbon prepreg ensures a very accurate weight distribution and a very light rim, providing very good inertia in rotation; - Stiffness: A very high stiffness is achieved vs. the performance of the wheel, the UD carbon prepreg used for the spokes gives incredible value, making it possible to use only 12 spokes; - Aerodynamics: Good aerodynamics, the full composite solution developed for the rim and spokes provides a specific profile (conical spoke). - Design: A unique design, the completely assembled wheel has exceptional aesthetics and the process provides high-performance parts with an excellent cosmetic aspect. The specific design using 12 spokes only for the front and 12 spokes only for the rear makes it a unique wheel. State of development: Corima has been working on this project for a year and a half, and the product should be ready for launch on the market in May 2010. The manufacturing processes were finalized at the beginning of December. The project started with a market survey. Customer expectations and a brainstorming by the sales and research staff served as a basis to establish the project goals and schedule. Despite the use of CAD software, more than 60 prototypes were built before finalizing the wheel design. Several in-house tests (on machines) and road tests with "test" riders were carried out to improve the wheel details. The AERO+ MCC wheel was launched at Bicycle Shows in Germany, Paris, Milan, Spain, London and Copenhagen in September and at the Korean and Japanese Bike Shows in November. It will also be introduced at the Taipei Show in March 2010. The CORIMA AERO+ MCC applied for the 2010 “Observeur du Design” prize, and won the French national “Etoile du Design” prize in Paris last October. More information: www.corima.com

Finalist: 3M Company (USA)
Partnership network: G. Loomis, Inc. (USA) Name: G. Loomis, a world-renowned fishing rod manufacturer, used the 3M Matrix Resin to make rods that combine added strength with improved sensitivity through lighter weight rods. Description: The 3M Matrix Resin has given G. Loomis a larger palette to design exactly to the needs of the fisherman. Rods made with this resin are now designed to have the same strength at a lighter weight or the same weight but improved strength. Preliminary testing has shown double the strength of a rod made with typical epoxy resin.

Finalist: Carbo-Link (Switzerland)
Partnership network: Team Alinghi SA (Switzerland); Huntsman Advanced Materials (GmbH) Switzerland; EMPA (Switzerland) (mechanical characterization) Name: Composite riggings for race sailing boats. Carbo-Link has developed an innovative technique and patented process for the production of lightweight composite tension members. Comparison of two Carbo-Link cables (CL-HM and CL-HT) with different riggings systems at constant stiffness (EA) The diagrams clearly show that the Carbo-Link system is lighter and has a smaller diameter than other available systems at equivalent stiffness. Description: Composite riggings are produced from fibres preimpregnated in-house with an Araldite® system, which are continuously wound around custom-designed end fittings to form a closed loop. Each cable is consolidated and cured under tension using Carbo-link’s patented process. The titanium end fittings incorporate various options such as spherical bearings enclosed in the fibre loop for the connection to adjacent structures.

Finalist: AlpControl (France)
Partnership network: SOTIRA (France) Name: The Mountain Spring is a removable tibia support designed for skiing with mountaineering boots. Description: This composite part attaches to the front of the foot and leg with straps around the toes, ankle and calf. The part’s shape and thickness is calculated to provide the adequate stiffness and elasticity for both climbing and descending.

jec composites magazine / No56 April 2010

http://www.corima.com

JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #56 - April 2010

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #56 - April 2010