Cannon to present latest innovations at Composite Europe

During the three days of COMPOSITES EUROPE Cannon will present the latest innovation in several fields of this vast segment of the reinforced plastics industry. The problem-solving approach of Cannon has generated in the recent past a number of industrial technological solutions for Urethane- and Epoxy-based composites that have found immediate interest and positive response amongst the most qualified parts makers.

Today the complete manufacturing line required for the production of a thermosetting or a thermoplastic composite part – from glass- or carbon-preformer to the finished part trimming, including chemical dispensing unit and mixing head, moulds, mould carriers, handling and heating systems, trimming and controls – is available from a single qualified source.

ESTRIM, a complete moulding solution for Epoxy-based fast RTM process has been designed for the production of automotive, leisure and sport parts. On top of dedicated preformers, polymerisation clamps and moulds, Cannon offers the E-System, high-pressure metering and mixing equipment that guarantees very fast demoulding times and perfect distribution of the resin across the entire mould surface.

In addition to a standard high-pressure injection system in closed mould, two new methods for the distribution of the Epoxy resin have been developed: ESTRIM LL for a Liquid Laydown and ESTRIM SL for a spray application, that allow to reduce the specific pressure in the polymerization press reducing the investment in clamping equipment.

The wind-power industry is rewarding Cannon with growing volumes of business worldwide, thanks to the availability of dedicated low-pressure resin dispensers for the infusion of Epoxy formulations in the giant blades manufactured for off-shore and conventional wind turbines.

The series of Cannon DX machines includes a three-component model that allows for the flexible use of two different hardeners in order to obtain different reaction profiles in accordance with the size of the moulded part, a stringent request coming from the aeolic blade manufacturers that have already appreciated the first two-components models. A new degassing unit for resin and a glue dispenser for the application of the two-components adhesive on the blade’s edge will also be presented.

The visitors of the show working for the aeronautic industry will have the opportunity to know about the availability of Cannon dedicated plants for the assembly of large composite and metal parts, such as the Alenia Aermacchi M346 advanced trainer.

An innovative complete compression moulding line for Light Weight Reinforced Thermoplastics (LWRT) is now available for the production of light automotive parts mostly used as engine shields.

Classic Cannon solutions like the InterWet and OuterWet – technologies for the co-injection of rigid Polyurethanes and chopped glass fibers – are widely used for lightweight, wide structural elements demanded by the transportation industry, as well as by sanitary ware manufacturers or in the wind-power industry.

An interesting solution for the manufacture of glass-reinforced Polyurethane manholes will be shown, among others, able to replace – with much faster production cycles – similar manufacturing methods based on low-pressure RTM injection. 

Cannon