SAMPE 2006 Product Showcase
SAMPE's annual Symposium welcomes 4,300 composites professionals to Long Beach, looks ahead to Baltimore.
By Staff | July 2006
The Society for the Advancement of Material and Process Engineering (SAMPE) welcomed nearly 4,300 participants during the four-day run of its 2006 Symposium & Exhibition, held April 30-May 4 at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach, Calif. Billed as the premier materials and processing (M&P) industry event, SAMPE 2006 drew delegates from 48 U.S. states and the District of Columbia as well as 33 other countries.
Visitors had the opportunity to attend 12 tutorials and 250 papers and tour exhibits assembled by 230 exhibitors, including a large number of first timers. According to SAMPE, exhibitors were particularly pleased with the traffic on the show floor and, in common with exhibitors at the earlier JEC Composites Show in Paris (see p. 26), were generally upbeat. "We are very, very pleased with the responses we have received from our attendees, speakers and exhibitors," says SAMPE International past president Dr. Tia Benson Tolle, a structural materials branch chief for the Air Force Research Lab (Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio).
SAMPE also confirmed that its 2007 Symposium will be sponsored by SAMPE's Baltimore/Washington Chapter and will be held at the Baltimore Convention Center, in Baltimore, Md. The conference dates are June 3-7, 2007 while the exhibition dates are June 5-7, 2007.
On the show floor
For those who couldn't make it to the show, HPC staffers canvassed exhibitors and identified the following notable developments. HPC's feature articles on tooling and lightning strike protection (pp. 38 and 46, respectively) showcase additional products premiered at SAMPE.
Accudyne Systems Inc. (Newark, Del.) showed its the Conformable Compaction System (CCS) automated contour tape layer. Developed under NASA SBIR Phase I and Phase II programs, this latest-generation thermo- plastic prepreg tape/tow placement head features individual "fingers" that conform to local contours to apply compacting pressure and heat to material as it is layed down, for out-of- autoclave manufacture of 3-D parts. accudyne.gocomp.biz/2
Advanced Ceramics Research Inc.'s (Tucson, Ariz.) new, lightweight 30 lb/ft3, seamless ceramic tooling board will be commercially available in the latter half of 2006. It features a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of 10 x 10-6 inch/inch/°F for environments up to 218°C (425°F). While current versions offer flexural strength of 3,000 psi/20.68 MPa and compressive strength of 4,000 psi/27.58 MPa, the company expects the commercial version to double these values. acrtucson.gocomp.biz/10
Advanced Composites Inc. (Salt Lake City, Utah) touted a continuous filament-wound molding compound, designed for joining filament wound structures and discussed the company's move to a new location in Salt Lake City, to improved production floor flow. advancedcomposites.gocomp.biz/2
AlphaSTAR Corp. (Long Beach, Calif.), a simulation software developer, has updated its Genoa analysis software to encompass different types of composite construction, including 3-D structures and ceramic and polymer matrix composites. Genoa can be used for progressive failure analysis through virtual testing on FEM models during the design phase or on actual parts as built. alphastarcorp.gocomp.biz/6
American GFM (Chesapeake, Va.) showcased two ultrasonic cutters: Model US-120 reportedly offers the highest cutting speed in the industry, providing high accelerations and decelerations (up to 20 ft/sec) with a maximum cutting speed of 4,800 inches/min (120m/min). It features linear and torque motors, has a profiling accuracy of 0.006 inch/0.15 mm and is designed for aerospace composites, technical textiles and other materials. Also on display: Model US20 uses a standard ultrasonic generator, convertor and sonotrode with a specially developed blade that cycles at 20,000 strokes/sec. agfm.gocomp.biz/8
Apex Machine Tool Co. (Farmington, Conn.) reiterated its expertise in producing metal tools for resin transfer molding (RTM), autoclave and compression molding processes. The company, whose core competency is high-precision machining, also produces trim tools, jigs and machining fixtures for the composites industry. apexmachinetool.gocomp.biz/1
On display at the Autometrix Precision Cutting Systems Inc. (Grass Valley, Calif.) booth, was the company's newest cutting machine for composite materials, featuring faster operating speeds and a more competitive price, according to the company. The modular cutting system, which incorporates composite components in its cutting head and crossbeam, can be customized to accommodate table sizes as large as 80 ft/24.4m long by 120 inches/305 cm wide. autometrix.gocomp.biz/3
At the Applied Sciences booth, Nanosperse Inc. (Martinez, Calif.) introduced commercially available nano-enhanced conductive resins and two-part adhesives developed under an exclusive license from the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory and the University of Dayton Research Institute. The resins and adhesives contain the company's vapor-grown carbon nanofibers (CNFs). The latter also are available dispersed in resin concentrates, enabling users to custom-modify conventional resins, prepregs, coating and molding compounds. Designed to increase thermal and electrical conductivity, the CNFs also enhance strength, fatigue resistance and other physical properties. nanosperse.gocomp.biz/2
Bondline Products Inc. (Norwalk, Calif.) displayed its silicone-based technology for inflatable bladders used in bladder molding of complex hollow parts, including helicopter blades, spars for unmanned aerial vehicle wings other highly-loaded aerospace parts. Based on the company's RVBS (Reusable Vacuum Bagging Systems) silicone technology, the bladders provide multi-use, removable mandrels that apply interior consolidation pressure for hollow composite parts produced in closed molds. bondlineproducts.gocomp.biz/1
CMS North America Inc. (Caledonia, Mich.) demonstrated the fully-enclosed ARES 5-axis CNC machining center from parent company CMS SpA (Zogno, Italy). With over 4,000 machines installed worldwide, CMS specializes in cutting/machining of composites and lightweight, nonferrous metals and materials. cmsna.gocomp.biz/7
Coastal Enterprise Co. (Orange, Calif.) showcased new PB Fast Set one-part urethane adhesive, which can be fully cured in 30 minutes. It reportedly works well with both indoor and outdoor applications. Also on display were the company's PBLT and PBHT tooling boards. PBLT is designed for tooling processed at temperatures as high as 93°C/200°F, while PBHT is intended for applications at higher temperatures (to 149°C/300°F). Both products process without outgassing or otherwise affecting prepreg resin or adhesive cure. precisionboard.gocomp.biz/42
Dangar Engineering & Mfg. Inc. (Newbury Park, Calif.) announced the startup of Ukraine Fiberlite Products Ltd., the company's new manufacturing arm in Eastern Europe. Dangar president Dan Woods says move was made in an effort to cut labor cost in CNC-manufacturing of tooling, prototypes and molding of finished products for customers worldwide. dangar.gocomp.biz/1
DIAB Inc. (DeSoto, Texas) showed its "significantly reformulated" Divinycell HT high-temperature PVC polymer foam core, which features improved fire, smoke and toxicity (FST) properties. Qualified for aircraft interiors and other structural and nonstructural applications, the foam is nonhygroscopic, has less effect on the environment, has superior damage/impact performance and improved dielectric properties, says the company. DIAB also promoted its Core College courses for designers, engineers and others involved in composite construction, offering access to the latest developments in sandwich core materials and technology. The next class will be held Sept. 6 in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada. diabgroup.gocomp.biz/23
Eastman Machine Co. (Buffalo, N.Y.) showcased its new Eagle automated cutting and routing machine. The robust Eagle, with a heavy duty welded structure, high-pressure/high-flow vacuum table and steel-top plenum, is designed to handle thick (up to 1.375 inch/35 mm) and fairly dense materials, including cured composites and plastics. eastmancuts.gocomp.biz/30
Emerson & Cuming, part of Trelleborg Emerson & Cuming Inc. (Stavanger, Norway), exhibited its trademarked Eccospheres, hollow glass microspheres ranging in diameter from 20µ to 200µ. The syntactic filler reduces part weight, increases resin compressive strength and can be used in a variety of applications, such as thermal insulation and buoyancy for offshore composite structures. emerson.gocomp.biz/2
EDO Fiber Innovations Corp. (Walpole. Mass.) displayed a gearbox housing developed with EDO Corp. for Sikorsky's now defunct Comanche helicopter. The display illustrated the use of braid and other reinforcements in complex combinations to create a part that also includes strategically placed, comolded metal inserts. fiberinnovations.gocomp.biz/6
FireSafe Innovations (Rochester, N.Y.) exhibited PyroFend, its lightweight, fire-resistant material that can be cast to any shape or form. When cast, the material can be cut easily with a bandsaw or other cutting equipment. Reportedly easy to handle, the material is one-eighth the weight of concrete and does not give off toxic fumes during a fire. When exposed to flame, the product maintains its strength and form with minimal degradaton or shrinkage. The latter prevents fire penetration through cracks or corners. firesafeinnovations.gocomp.biz/2
Gerber Technology (Tolland, Conn.) introduced an updated version of its trademarked CutWorks software for its GERBERcutter ply cutting solution for composites manufacturers. A complete design, nesting and cutting package, the software can import/export files using multiple formats. The program's Base Module does all the basic cutting and kitting prep, while optional upgrades increase efficiency and cut costs. ToolPath optimizes piece placement to speed cutting time while its Nesting module maximizes material use. gerbertech.gocomp.biz/18
Hitco Carbon Composites Inc. (Gardena, Calif.) demonstrated its expertise in composite structures, rocket nozzles and high-temperature solutions with various part displays at its booth. The company called attention to its recent reception of Boeing's Silver Eagle Award for 2005 on the basis of its contribution to supply chain improvements for the C-17 Tailcone Program. hitco.gocomp.biz/15
Huntsman Advanced Materials (The Woodlands, Texas) showed a wide array of its composites products, including two new halogen-free laminating resins targeted to the printed circuit board (PCB) industry. AZYRAL one- and two-component epoxies comply with the most recent regulatory requirements for PCBs and offer low dielectric constant along with high temperature resistance and low coefficient of thermal expansion. The material is also a good candidate for bipolar plates used in fuel cells, says the company. huntsmanadv.gocomp.biz/11
Laser Technology Inc. (Norristown, Pa.) displayed its new Model LTI-6200S Shearography Inspection System, a compact, portable laser device for nondestructive inspection of aircraft. Commercially released shortly after the SAMPE show, the small, low-cost unit measures voids and porosity in repairs, identifies and locates impact damage and delaminations in solid laminates and reveals disbonds in sandwich panels. The device can be vacuum-attached to aircraft in any orientation, the company says, and it features a patent- pending cantilevered design to inspect edges and corners. laserndt.gocomp.biz/2
