The latest products, processes and services can all be found at the Composites Engineering 2017, held at the Birmingham NEC on 1-2 November. Composites in Manufacturing previews some of this year’s exhibitors.
We begin our show round-up with CMS Industries (stand O124). The CNC equipment specialists will be showcasing its many new developments, including new additions to the already extensive machine range and enhancements to the existing machines. New machines include the Ikon and the Ethos K.
Compact in design, the Ikon has been designed by CMS for trimming/machining precision composite parts and helps minimise the floorspace required for such a large capacity machine. It features two vertically-mounted tables, each 3,100mm x 1,800mm with rotational movement - into and out of the machining envelope - which facilitate ergonomic and efficient loading/unloading of components during the machining cycle. Furthermore, it is fitted with either one or two 5-axis spindles, each with independent movement to maximise performance and permit multiple machining modes, including simultaneous cutting of identical components, masked tool change time and simultaneous machining of symmetrical components.
Enhancements to the existing range include a larger version of the Antares, which is now available with a deeper Y axis travel of 2,800mm, cast iron table and the new HX5 compact rotary axis assembly with double yoke (second structural support arm) which increases brake torque on the rotating axes. The HX5 is fitted with the proven CMS high torque 20kW spindle with a maximum speed of 24,000rpm and HSK 63 A connection.
Options include through-spindle air and liquid passage, as well as an efficient high velocity extraction hood. This version also has additional tool change capability and can be fitted with 3 x 20 rotary magazines as well as 2 x 8 racks for a total of 76 tools.
Nearby, Attwater Group (stand N100) and its subsidiary Custom Composites will unveil a range of industry-leading innovations, including carbon fibre tiller extensions and a carbon fibre laminate for ballistic applications during the show.
The Lancashire-based company, which specialises in industrial laminates and machining will be exhibiting items selected from a range of more than 1,000 products that includes an extensive range of standard laminate sheets, a wide range of composite tubes and rods and a selection of epoxy glass, polyimide glass, phenolic fabric and carbon fibre products.
Attwater’s products are popular in a wide variety of sectors, including aerospace, power generation, marine and general engineering, typically for electrical distribution and industrial applications. Custom Composites has specialist products for use in sectors, such as military, sport and industrial.
Sales director, Rachael Kennedy says: “The Composites Engineering Show is the perfect opportunity for us to showcase our products to the industry, and it's a fantastic way to catch up with familiar faces and to meet many more new contacts.
“It has been an exciting year for Attwater and Custom Composites with many more developments planned for the future, and our presence at the show will reflect that.”
Elsewhere, advanced composites manufacturer Pentaxia (stand K110) will reveal plans for a £1 million investment in a new six-acre site at this year’s event. The company is inviting business leaders to find out more about the installation of cutting edge equipment and upgraded facilities that will double its existing production capability.
Visitors will also get the opportunity to meet Pentaxia’s team of engineers and take advantage of one to one meetings with managing director, Stephen Ollier where they can learn more about the future of composites and its capabilities across multiple industries.
In the new year Pentaxia will move from its current site in Longbridge Lane to a 70,000ft2 manufacturing space in Derby. A six-month programme to refurbish and upgrade the site will start immediately and position the company to meet the rapid increase in demand for lightweight, high performance components from its blue-chip customers in the aerospace, motorsport and luxury automotive markets.
The write stuff
In the next aisle, OB2B Industrial Marketing & PR (stand L170) will exhibit once again at the show. The company specialises in providing marketing and PR writing services to manufacturers of polymer-based materials, composites, engineering plastics and adhesives.
Technical and commercial expertise is combined to provide cost effective marketing and PR support to a global client base of multinationals and SMEs. Specialist outsourced help needed by busy sales and marketing teams is typically provided to create new sales tools, review and update the website, and to regularly write and send out press releases to target media.
During the show, visitors can see examples of news and application story press releases written for client companies which have gained successful national and global media coverage in magazines and online.
Founder & director, Nigel O’Dea comments: “Gaining editorial in a reputable magazine or website is extremely valuable as readers see it as impartial coverage, which has helped to open doors and secure new business for clients.”
Along the same lines, Aro PR and Marketing (stand J122) a specialist agency for composites, engineering and scientific companies, will launch its new awards applications and SEO services at the show.
Aro’s awards service came about after several clients asked for support in applying for a range of industry awards, including EEF Future Manufacturing Awards and the Queen’s Award for Enterprise - the UK’s highest accolade of business success.
Using its PR and journalism skills, Aro successfully wrote the applications and managed the whole process – resulting in a number of Aro clients’ becoming official award winners. As part of its awards service, Aro identifies the most relevant industry awards for its clients, and manages the whole application process, including writing the application form which can often be lengthy and time-consuming.
Aro’s second new service is for Search Engine Optimisation service (SEO). Focusing on key elements that contribute to website ranking, this new service helped one of Aro’s clients move from page four on Google searches to page one.
These services complement Aro’s existing offering which includes: PR, marketing, media relations, profile boosting, digital marketing, social media, graphic design, web design and build, and copywriting.
Returning to Advanced Engineering for the fourth consecutive year, Aro will showcase how these services support business development, fund raising and staff recruitment and motivation.
“We are also pleased to add SEO to our range of services. If your company is on the second page for a Google search, the chances are you won’t be found. Our SEO service will address this and could catapult you onto the first page. This could make a real impact in finding new customers, and reassuring existing customers.”
Lightweight and shipshape
Owing to many years of experience in the manufacture of lightweight composite materials, Von Roll (stand L100) has developed a GRP flight deck safety net system and guardrail stanchion system that is said to provide a cost-effective alternative to conventional metal-based systems. Currently supplied to the Royal Navy and other marine defence organisations, Von Roll is able to design custom-made systems that suit a wide variety of ships.
Properties such as corrosion resistance, lighter operating weight, fatigue resistance and an ability to tailor structural and mechanical properties to suit the application and operating environment make composite materials ideal for marine use.
Using its specially developed Delglas composite materials Von Roll manufacture’s lightweight, easily installed and operated GRP flight and gun safety net equipment for Naval vessels. Systems come fully assembled, rigged with safety net and lanyard and equipped with appropriate deck fittings ready to install.
Von Roll also manufactures lightweight GRP guardrail stanchions using its Delglas composite material that offers a lightweight, virtually maintenance-free, corrosion resistant alternative to metal based stanchions.
Meanwhile, Mirka UK (stand K130) will showcase a wide range of tools and abrasives, designed and developed to offer increased productivity, efficiency and a reliable high-quality finish, whilst also allowing businesses to control costs and look after the health of their workforce.
The DEOS is available in two sizes, DEOS 383 CV 70 x198 and DEOS 353 CV 81x 133, making it suitable for use across multiple applications, including sanding composites.
There will be demonstrations of the new myMirka app which is available to download free of charge through both the Apple Store and Google Play. It gives guidance on vibration levels on a colour graded scale, and advises on how to lower the vibration if required. Additionally, the speed can be visualised in a separate graph. An in-app purchase will enable users to track the daily vibration in relation to European standards.
The exhibition will also showcase Mirka’s brushless battery driven spot repair sanders, the Mirka AOS-B 130NV and Mirka AROS-B 150NV. The new sanders are suitable for multiple operations including various composite substrates as well as E-coat and primer sanding applications, and will produce a quality and consistently smooth finish while also maximising productivity. Their ergonomic design makes them easy to move from job to job and allows users to operate the products for a long period of time, while delivering good control over the sanding process. They also provide economical and consistent performance for the duration of the sander’s battery life, which can last up to 16 hours when used on spot repair applications.
A comprehensive range of Mirka’s Non-Corrosive (NC) abrasive solutions will also be on display. These abrasives have been designed specifically to meet the increasing demand from users for products that enable the compliant surface preparation of corrosion sensitive materials without the risk of cross-contamination. The range is suitable for the sanding of aluminium and painted aluminium parts, made possible due to significantly lower heavy metal content than the corresponding traditional abrasives that contain iron, chromium and copper.
Jim Fulton, OEM sales manager for Mirka UK, said: “Innovation is key for our customers to enable them to address specific challenges. At Advanced Engineering, we will demonstrate how our continuous investment in abrasive and tool development is enabling us to anticipate their demands and meet their requirements now and in the future.”
Still on the theme of surface finishing, Vapormatt (stand N43) will demonstrate its wet blasting technology for the surface preparation and finishing of composites used in aerospace.
Visitors to this year’s exhibition will experience first-hand, Vapormatt’s extensive range of high performance wet blasting systems. Developed to meet the needs of the aerospace sector, these popular systems enable high quality surface preparation and finishing of engine components and composite materials.
Vapormatt’s aerospace specialists will demonstrate the wet blasting process on its manually operated wet blasting system, the Puma. Visitors will see for themselves how to effortlessly achieve controlled, reproducible and superior results, using advanced solutions that are easy to use and maintain.
Vapormatt’s popular Leopard and Sabre wet blasting systems are widely used across the aerospace sector already. These fully-automated machines ensure unrivalled surface preparation and finishing of large components, such as wing spars and turbine blades. The Leopard is available in three variants: a horizontal version; vertical version; and a remarkably compact, yet high capacity version known as the Cub.
Show visitors can discuss their process requirements with one of Vapormatt’s wet blasting experts, while also learning how Vapormatt’s versatile systems can meet their needs, whether that’s for cleaning or peening.
Knowing the drill
Drill Bushes have been a core focus of the Boneham Group for 100 years. The aim has always been quality and efficiency. Boneham bushes are used throughout the globe, with vast inventories in the UK and USA, under BS ISO, DIN and ANSI standards. Continuing UK production investment, Boneham recognises OEM and supply chain requirements for speed. Aerospace standard bushes are inventoried or delivered on a fast track service under one of the group’s key account solution programmes.
During 2017 Boneham and Turner launched a new customer-centric website allowing account customers the ability to access their contracted prices, use stock indicators, track orders, download invoices, pay on account, repeat order and process using customer part codes. For a demonstration on the website and to discuss any CAD requirements for designing Boneham components into fixtures and assemblies, please visit its stand during the show.
During the show, Boneham will reveal a number of products designed specifically for the composite and aerospace markets. Maintaining emphasis on alignment, location and drill jigs. Boneham continues to develop new solutions as well as delivering overseas standards to domestic markets.
Boneham and Turner represent other market leading solution providers. The stand will feature the Koenig Expander, a global leader in sealing drilled holes in low and high-pressure applications. The Expander is a zero defect 100% inspected solution. Also highlighting DADCO, a leading innovator in Gas Spring technology, with SMS-i sectional mounting system, a solution free from pipes.
Marching to a different drum, Farécla Products (stand O182) will attend the event for the first time to showcase its PROFILE Specialist Applications compound range.
Farécla’s stand will feature a bespoke bass drum - as well as other exhibits from collaborating partners, including Davida Helmets, makers of luxury, open-face motorcycle helmets from GRP shells.
Farécla’s novel stand will showcase the benefits delivered by the PROFILE range and allow visitors to see the quality of finish achievable when using the right products across a wide variety of surfaces: from tooling and production gelcoats, to acrylic and polyester, painted surfaces and lacquered wood.
Farécla invites visitors to meet the team and discover how its abrasive technology can help save time and lower production costs. From 2018 onwards, Farécla hopes to showcase its many unique surfaces and end results to the world, and wants to hear from end users interested in collaborating for future shows.
As UK agent, VAC Innovation (stand N170) will showcase the Italmatic range of autoclaves, ovens and presses for composite component processing.
Established in Italy in 1966, Italmatic’s core business is the design and manufacture of autoclaves, ovens and presses for thermoset and thermoplastic materials.
Italmatic’s autoclave manufacturing capabilities are not limited by diameter, height or length, and provide for electric, gas, oil or steam heating options. Additionally, optional cooling via air, water or oil is available, along with options for the vessel pressure medium (air or nitrogen). In all cases, taking into consideration different tooling geometries as well as dis-homogenous loads requirements, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is utilised to ensure cycle temperature uniformity.
Italmatic autoclaves, ovens and presses are managed by major brand PLCs, and are supplied with the latest version of the Italmatic in-house, user-friendly S.C.A.D.A. control software. The software allows for the creation and storage of bespoke cure cycles with immediate recalling of load configurations (to associate each bag to the part thermocouple and vacuum line); trends; alarms; loops and system settings; maintenance pages; calibration; management by different users; generation of part reports; printing of data and graphics trends.
This year, Instron (stand J53) will offer attendees the opportunity to see the ElectroPuls, an All-Electric Dynamic and Fatigue Test System and its new, intuitive, and touch-friendly Bluehill Universal software.
The company’s stand will feature a variety of application demonstrations on the ElectroPuls system and the Electromechanical load frame.
R-TECH Materials (stand M122) one of the UK’s leading testing, analysis and consultancy businesses will showcase its capabilities during the show. Its UKAS accredited laboratories run tests on all types of engineering materials from composites and polymers to metals and ceramics.
The company recently invested in a range of equipment including a chemical analyser for carbon sulphur and nitrogen; a laboratory bend machine for rebar; a deflectometer for flexural testing; and automatic polishing equipment for preparing micro sections and macro sections of welds. It’s also on track to secure aerospace approval from Nadcap later in 2017 and has teamed up with Zwick Roell to run training courses on mechanical testing of composites.
It’s time to listen up
Moving on, NetComposites (stand M120) will run its composites forums at this year’s show. Working alongside various industry partners, themes have been chosen to reflect current industry hot topics. Each day will end with a panel session: day 1 will look at ‘Challenges Faced by the Composites Industry’, whilst day 2 will focus on ‘Opportunities for the Composites Industry’.
The company will also host two sessions in the Aero Engineering forum, one each day with an ‘Introduction to Composites for Aerospace’ and the same in the Automotive forum with an ‘Introduction to Composites for Automotive’. Finally, in the Performance Metals forum, it will have one session each day looking at Hybrid Composites.
The audience will be able to get a glimpse at what is happening across the composites industry, an update on strategy, new materials and innovations and hear about the latest industry case studies. Companies wishing to enter the market will be able to hear from some great contacts. The panel sessions will form a great place to get involved as well as an opportunity to meet relevant people.
Each of the forum sessions have been designed to end on a group Q&A session, bringing together all speakers and the interested audience. Coventive Composites - the new name for NetComposites’ consultancy, training and innovation services Coventive, will be on hand from the stand to answer any questions people may have.
And the industry association, Composites UK (stand J140) says it is proud to be a headline strategic partner of this year’s Composites Engineering Show. The show will see over 70 Composites UK member companies taking an exhibition stand with many more visiting over the course of the two days, proving the show to be a key event in the composites industry calendar.
The awards themselves will be presented in front of 250 people at Composites UK’s black-tie dinner, hosted at the National Motorcycle Museum on 1st November.
Finally, the association is offering companies two extra month’s membership when signing up at the show. Representatives from Composites UK will be available over the two days to discuss any queries from the stand.
A meeting of minds
Connecting brilliant minds, Axillium Research, a specialist innovation and research consultancy based in the Midlands, will be presenting at the event to support its consortia Partners as they showcase their latest technology developments and progress so far. During the show, the company will be offering innovation advice and support to potential future consortia members. Axillium is also available to meet those wishing to build new collaborations.
Axillium says it can help accelerate a company’s technology innovation and enable them to grow. Whether they need access to funding, help mapping the innovation opportunities available, or need a fully-managed programme. Axillium we will take clients right through the process and ensure their innovations deliver.
It’s onwards and upwards for Norco Holdings (stand M160), a leading developer of innovative GRP mouldings and lightweight composite structures that offer composite solutions for end users around the world.
The company’s Composites division is active within the aerospace, automotive, defence, communications and renewables market sectors, supplying lightweight composite structures. The success of Norco Composites lies in its skilled workforce, its experience gained from completing many small and large-scale projects and its ability to offer the right technical solution.
Many industry sectors have seen a transformation in requirements, with an emphasis on weight, strength and cost. Norco’s commitment to the aerospace, defence and communication sectors involves a balance of design, engineering, specification, technology and costing. Its extensive knowledge and understanding of these industries enables it to look at new composite manufacturing processes that are stronger and lighter yet remain cost effective.
Norco will shortly add an extra 10,000ft2 to its production facilities and recruit staff to cater for the increased demand from its customers for lightweight composite structures.
At the show, Norco will focus on its capability to engineer and manufacture both large and smaller composite structures, by providing a complete service from CAD design to final assembly.
Composite to the core
Meanwhile, MSA Manufacturing (stand L163) will demonstrate its capability to provide accurate and complex core and reinforcement material kits, with examples of products it has manufactured from of different materials.
The company specialises in offering machining, cutting and kitting services to high-tech composite manufacturers operating within the defence, aerospace, renewable, automotive and transport industries.
By supplying a complete kit of core and reinforcement materials, MSA says it can guarantee to reduce material waste and save build time. The company is completely independent of any material supplier, so it will always ensure the right mix of materials for projects.
Services include core machining and kitting, reinforcement cutting and kitting of both prepreg and dry material, digital engineering including 3D scanning and reverse engineering, ancillary services including reinforcement slitting and preforming and ancillary machining including e-plate, c-plate and ballistics plate.
Based in Dorset, MSA is ISO9001 and 14001 certified and prides itself on its flexible, resourceful and skilful approach to solving customer’s complex material needs.
Elsewhere, PRF Composite Materials (stand N122) will showcase its new RP800 50°C epoxy tooling prepreg system.
Fast becoming market leaders in quality and innovation, PRF will be exhibiting other systems from its prepreg range, including RP542-1 – which provides consistent visual quality results in high-end aesthetic components – and RP549 highly toughened system – which has a Tg of 195°C (DMA), visual quality finish, and excellent mechanical properties in tensile, ILS and flexural strength.
Celebrating 35 years at the forefront of advanced composites, the PRF team will also be discussing their wide range of innovative materials: high performance reinforcements, epoxy resin systems, Qiicote mould release and kitting services.
In the next aisle, software specialist, CGTech (stand O62) will demonstrate the new version of its Vericut CNC machine simulation and optimisation software.
Finally, Premier Autoclaves (stand K122) reckons it will have one of the most exciting stand features to showcase at this year’s show: its already famous, ridiculously over-engineered, mini-autoclave drinks fridge!
“We’d also like to discuss why we have just received our biggest ever aerospace OEM upgrade order and why more customers than ever are looking to improve autoclave efficiency, support and performance with Premier Autoclaves,” states company sales manager, Scott Dyson.
