Photo: Ensinger GmbH. HIGH STRENGTH COMPONENTS IN TECATEC SHEET METAL SOFTWARE THAT’S RIGHT ON TRACK 38 July 2016 M A T E R I A L S Ever faster and increasingly ever more reliable, from the first steam trains to old-time locomotives right up to the high speed TGV, the railway industry has always been at the cutting edge of progress and technological innovation. To meet the challenges of today and particularly tomorrow, key companies within the train and rail market have chosen Lantek’s sheet metal software solutions as their benchmark for advanced productivity. Specialising in flame cutting, plasma, laser, water jet cutting and metal punching, Lantek describes itself as a pioneer in on-demand management software solutions (MES/ERP). As a result of over 25 years of experience and working closely with constructors and end users, Lantek software combines machine technology perfectly with rail sector customers’ programming and management needs. The capabilities of the software are ideally suited to the manufacture of specific parts used in the railway industry whilst also optimising the whole manufacturing process. Many parts designed using the Lantek software are focused on passenger comfort and meeting their requirements not only through ergonomics, materials and the cutting of shapes, but also through layout and assembly. Lantek Expert runs all the machine technology and calculates the time and the cost per part to control profitability. It also offers a library of parametric parts and an open database allowing users to call up parts, manufacturing orders, etc. and to just fill in specified criteria such as material used, thickness, customer or date to get the desired information. Ensinger GmbH recently launched a series of highly loaded thermoplastic carbon fibre composites. Components made from Tecatec are characterised by an extraordinary degree of mechanical strength and high thermal dimensional stability. Sheet made using the new Tecatec product series comprise a thermoplastic matrix and a woven fabric of carbon fibre bundles. This combination ensures the achievement of significantly higher tensile and flexural strength compared to fibre reinforced extrudates. The lightweight materials also offer good chemical resistance and are radiolucent, making them ideally suited for external fixation devices and surgical instruments. Tecatec Peek CW50 makes use of the matrix polymer Victrex Peek which is compressed with laminated woven carbon fabric mats. A special coating on the fabric helps to reduce the number of faults. A carbon fibre fabric component of 50 percent ensures extremely good torsional stiffness and minimal tendency to warp even after multiple sterilization cycles. These attributes make for a long service life of components. This new material is an example of close co-operation between the Ensinger Group and Victrex Polymer Solutions. The two companies have agreed to work closely together on the development and marketing of new application fields for Peek products. The other composite material offered within the Ensinger portfolio is Tecatec PEKK CW60. This comprises a polyetherketoneketone matrix (PEKK), laminated with a 60 per cent carbon fibre fabric. The proprietary manufacturing process used achieves excellent fibre and matrix integration. Because of its high glass transition point (165°C), PEKK is resistant to repeated steam sterilization cycles, while its enhanced carbon fibre component ensures even higher dimensional stability and stiffness. Medical target device blank. Water jet cut prior to final machining. Medical technology is the single most important field of application for Tecatec products. Both materials are physiologically harmless (biocompatibility in accordance with ISO 10993-5) and corrosion resistant. In orthopaedic applications, radiolucent, low-warpage targeting fixtures made of carbon fibre composites are used for positioning fixing pins. The extreme strength of these composite materials also offers benefits when used in the manufacture of spreaders or in components for the external fixture of bone fractures. Other applications exist in mechanical engineering where weight, strength, corrosion and high temperatures are design factors. For more information contact: Supply Services Ltd Tel: 0800 102 112, email: sales.akl@supplyservices.co.nz, sales.mtm@supplyservices.co.nz, sales.chc@supplyservices.co.nz. Visit: www.supplyservices.co.nz
EN-Jul16
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