Acrolab supports the Composites industry with multiple products and services. Many clients contact us for thermal consultation for their composites applications. We work with you to provide thermal management services and components for your composite processing applications. Since all client needs are unique Acrolab technical experts work hand in hand with your team to ensure your requirements and expectations are clearly understood.
Key Process Steps for Pultrusion Processing Applications
Acrolab has a 6 step approach to assist our clients.
- Obtain Client Information
- Supply Recommendations To Client
- Consult & Confirm Client Solution(s)
- Design the Solution and any Development Process
- Seek client Feedback and Approval
- Execute: Build, Test and Deliver
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Pultrusion Application Thermal Challenges
- Complex Part Shapes
- Temperature Uniformity
- Multiple Tool Inserts
- Multiple Temperature Zones
- Uncontrollable Exothermic Reactions
- Deep Cavity Features
- Excess Thermal Energy That Is Not Being Utilized
- Electric Heaters Are Not Distributed Wattage
- Heat Sources Are Not Isothermal
- Thermocouple Control Locations Are Not Optimal
- Multiple Tools Used For One Heat Source
- Mandrels Cause Thermal Challenges
- Heat Loss Due To Inadequate Insulation
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Dealing with Excess Heat in Pultrusion Applications
In many pultrusion applications, the last zone or exit point produces a lot of excess heat. This heat is generated by sheer force of the material through the die, the exothermic reaction kick over of the resin, and the heat applied to the die(s).
- An array of Isobars can be implemented in either the die(s) and/or the mandrel to capture this excess heat and passively move it back into the dies.
- This minor design change can increase line speeds dramatically (over 20% in many cases)
- Not only can line speed increase but energy can be saved by utilizing excess heat more effectively.
Deep Cavity Features
Many clients contact Acrolab with many concerns during their pultrusion processes. One of those concerns is deep part or cavity features. In some cases, a line speed is solely dependent on one feature in the part. If one could eliminate these areas of concern and get heating/cooling to these areas, line speeds and part quality would improve dramatically.
Acrolab solves these deep cavity issue by implementing an array of Isobars either linear or perpendicular with the line of draw. This allows thermal energy during the heating phase to be driving right to these deep areas. During cooling phase it allows heat energy to be removed.
