Lab facilities of TPAC open
September 27, 2018 - Netherlands
The lab facilities of the ThermoPlastic composites Application Centre (TPAC) have started functioning. The lab has processing equipment for cost-effective processing and application of thermoplastic composites. It studies low-cost processing and lightweight materials. The lab was opened by Anka Mulder, president of Saxion University of Applied Sciences.
The centre has also appointed Ferrie van Hattum as professor for Lightweight Structures.
TPAC performs research on low-cost processing and application of lightweight materials, with particular focus on thermoplastic composites materials. Further beneficial properties like impact resistance and fast processing make it the material of choice for high-end applications like aerospace, sport cars and sporting goods. The goal of the TPAC is to reduce processing costs to broaden the use of thermoplastic composites and make the material affordable for more sectors, business and people. Or like Ferrie van Hattum puts it “composites for the people”.
The application centre works with more than 100 companies of mostly small and medium size and institutions. Multiple consortiums have been formed to address various projects.
Guest speaker Jac Gofers, president of the Dutch Federation of Rubber and Plastics Industry (NRK) and CEO of Promolding underlined the importance of an application centre. “Lightweight solutions give plenty of benefits, but testing is essential to understand the effect of weight reduction and composite application during use.” Sjef van Breugel, CEO of Pontis Engineering emphasised the strong connection to industries “The TPAC has a strong relation to industry and listens to the requirements in the sector, for example the necessity of affordable processing technologies.” Students of different studies are involved with multi-disciplinary groups, internships and graduation assignments, and learn about design, materials and production of lightweight engineering applications.
Together with the partners, the TPAC has defined three research areas: Recycling, Production and Automation. In the field of recycling, methods are being developed to process low-end polymer waste, for example from the plastic soup, into simple products. Also high-end carbon fibre based post-industrial waste from aerospace is being studied and processed into new applications for aerospace. New production methods are being developed and tested to process composite material in a cost-effective manner, for example, combining 3D printing and tape placement. Production speed and robustness are further enhanced and cost is limited by implementing automation.
New facilities, like a vertical closure injection moulding machine including an infrared oven to heat preforms and robot in an automation cell, underline the new possibilities for the laboratory. Together with the research partner TPRC, the TPAC has formed TPC NL and was awarded the Smart Industry Fieldlab by the Ministry of Economic Affairs of the Netherlands. It has also been listed as digital innovation hub by the European Commission. (SV)
The centre has also appointed Ferrie van Hattum as professor for Lightweight Structures.
TPAC performs research on low-cost processing and application of lightweight materials, with particular focus on thermoplastic composites materials. Further beneficial properties like impact resistance and fast processing make it the material of choice for high-end applications like aerospace, sport cars and sporting goods. The goal of the TPAC is to reduce processing costs to broaden the use of thermoplastic composites and make the material affordable for more sectors, business and people. Or like Ferrie van Hattum puts it “composites for the people”.
The application centre works with more than 100 companies of mostly small and medium size and institutions. Multiple consortiums have been formed to address various projects.
Guest speaker Jac Gofers, president of the Dutch Federation of Rubber and Plastics Industry (NRK) and CEO of Promolding underlined the importance of an application centre. “Lightweight solutions give plenty of benefits, but testing is essential to understand the effect of weight reduction and composite application during use.” Sjef van Breugel, CEO of Pontis Engineering emphasised the strong connection to industries “The TPAC has a strong relation to industry and listens to the requirements in the sector, for example the necessity of affordable processing technologies.” Students of different studies are involved with multi-disciplinary groups, internships and graduation assignments, and learn about design, materials and production of lightweight engineering applications.
Together with the partners, the TPAC has defined three research areas: Recycling, Production and Automation. In the field of recycling, methods are being developed to process low-end polymer waste, for example from the plastic soup, into simple products. Also high-end carbon fibre based post-industrial waste from aerospace is being studied and processed into new applications for aerospace. New production methods are being developed and tested to process composite material in a cost-effective manner, for example, combining 3D printing and tape placement. Production speed and robustness are further enhanced and cost is limited by implementing automation.
New facilities, like a vertical closure injection moulding machine including an infrared oven to heat preforms and robot in an automation cell, underline the new possibilities for the laboratory. Together with the research partner TPRC, the TPAC has formed TPC NL and was awarded the Smart Industry Fieldlab by the Ministry of Economic Affairs of the Netherlands. It has also been listed as digital innovation hub by the European Commission. (SV)