Infrared heat, Flash

processes and UV curing

for composite materials

Composite materials are different based on their purpose: short-fibre

reinforced thermosetting plastics for large car body parts, long-fibre
reinforced thermoplastics for high-strength structural components, woven
rovings for wind energy plants or filament windings for sleeves and
pressure cylinders. They all have in common that they are to be produced
in the most cost-efficient way.
To fabricate these modern components, infrared heat or UV radiation are
used because they quickly and homogeneously heat or cure them and in
this way shorten process times.

New: humm3® - Intelligent heat for Automated Fibre Placement

Composites processing with Infrared Heat
Infrared heat cures thermosetting plastics and heats thermoplastics prior to
welding, moulding or forming. Infrared radiation can be precisely adjusted
to the product and the process. Advanced numerical methods such as ray
 tracing and computational fluid dynamics help make the heating of large
surfaces homogeneous.

Application examples:

 Curing of thermosetting plastics

 Heating of thermoplastics
 Joining of layers of composite materials
 Compacting of layers of compositve materials
 Prehating of composite materials prior to forming

Drying and Curing with UV technology

UV radiation is used to cure glass-fibre reinforced resins, unsaturated
polyesters and vinyl esters. The UV method is independent of moisture and
temperature, consistent and well controllable. The curing within seconds is
especially advantageous for the mass production of products which are
moulded, pultruded or wound.

Application examples:

 Boats
 Skylight panels
 Shower and tub enclosures
 Motor caravan and truck panels
 Masts and poles
 Tanks
 Pipes