Composite lamination equipment, laminator belts

Allertex of America (Cornelius, N.C., U.S.) together with Held Technologie (Trossingen, Germany), Schott & Meissner (Blaufelden, Germany) and Kastilo (Ulm-Einsingen, Germany) encourage attendees to stop by and learn about their various composite solutions, include composite lamination equipment and high-quality laminator belts from Kastilo.

Double belt presses from Held Technologie are said to be the ideal production systems for the continuous production of sheet and plate materials when using the through-feed method. Using various processes, such as continuous laminating, compacting, consolidation and smoothing, this technology enables multiple layers of different materials to be processed — such as films, prepregs, fabrics, fiber mats, granulates or powders. The isobaric pressing process developed by Held is said to stand out for its highly efficient heat transfer and constant surface pressure within the entire process zone.

Based on the material properties and targeted output, the belt speed, temperature and pressure can be set to required parameters. Held says the temperature can be separately controlled in zones, — up to 400°C in the heating zones and 20°C in the cooling zones — the belt speed can be set up to 20 m/min and the pressure up to 80 bar (1,160 psi).

Besides investing in their own plant, customers are able to charter the double belt presses provided by Held at its own Technology Park for trials and production runs. As an example, Held is frequently developing new materials and production processes in collaboration with notable scientific institutes intending to exceed the current industries’ requirements.

On the other hand, Schott & Meissner has manufactured custom-made heat treatment, thermal bonding, drying, impregnation and lamination equipment for nonwovens and textiles in the composites industry since 1986. At CAMX, the company sets the focus on presenting economic and energy-saving solutions like alternative energy sources, hybrid heating executions and heat recovery systems, which can be customized by width, process length, maximum temperature and other process requirements.

The Thermofix family, for example, through a combination of contact heat and pressure, enables engineers to consolidate, laminate and press nonwoven, composites or textile products. The product to be processed is passed through the flatbed laminator or double belt press between two Teflon-coated conveyor belts and heated by means of heating plates that are positioned behind the conveyor belts. The Thermofix TFO oil-heated double belt press and Thermofix TFE electrical heated flatbed laminator are offered options.