Composite Part Fabrication

CAPE has a full spectrum of fabrication and curing equipment that allows our customers to make almost anything. We can support processes that range from a conventional wet-layup and vacuum bag cure to an 800°F+ autoclave cure. Details of CAPE's composite part fabrication equipment are outlined below..

TARRICO INDUSTRIAL AUTOCLAVE
- for composite curing

Tarrico Autoclave

Taricco Corporation autoclaves are built to meet and exceed A.S.M.E and National Board Codes and Standards and come fully loaded with a 3 piece door locking closure system with NO rotation of door that will scuff the door seal. This Taricco autoclave is comprised of fully forged locking rings, machined locking ring lugs, a fully automated hydraulic locking mechanism, patented integral hinge system, internal insulation, self diagnostic PLC hardware, and TCS control system software for Windows based control which provides our customers with added safety and a higher standard of quality.

Features

  • 4' x 10' interior dimensions
  • 825°F max
  • 300 psi ma
  • Computer control and logging

Application

  • Composite curing
 

WISCONSIN WALK-IN OVEN
- electrically-heated environmental chamber

Wisconsin Walk-in Oven The Wisconsin Walk in Oven is an electrically-heated environmental chamber for composite curing, heat treatment, and curing powder coatings. The EWN batch oven is rated for a continuous maximum operating temperature of 850°F.  The high volume, low velocity airflow provides excellent temperature uniformity for modern powder curing applications and composite manufacturing control.

Features

  • 850°F maximum
  • Honeywell digital strip-chart recorder
  • 6' x 6' x 10' working volume
  • 7,000 CFM recirculation blower
  • 108kW heat capacity
  • Heavy gauge construction with aluminized interior
  • Microprocessor based temperature controller with "auto-tune"

Application

  • Composites Parts Fabrication
  • Process Temperature Control
  • Powder Coating
  • Heat Treatment
 

MUFFLE FURNACES
- gravimetric or quantitative analysis, sintering, and heat treating

Muffle Furnaces The CAPE Lab has a two muffle furnaces for general laboratory use, including gravimetric analysis, sintering, quantitative analysis and heat treating.

JHM RTM Machine
- for resin transfer molding

JHM RTM Machine Resin transfer molding is a positive injection pressure molding process with either central or single side cavity injection utilizing a diverging flow front from the injection point to the exit vents located at the perimeter of the cavity.  Designed for injecting polyester, vinyl ester and methacrylate resins and peroxide catalyst, at controlled flow rates and pressure.  Using pressures up to 50 PSI the process requires tooling to be capable of withstanding internal injection pressure without deflecting the mold cavity.

Features

  • 100 cc Resin / 4.5 cc Catalyst pump system with adjustable ratio
  • On-board 5 gal stainless steel solvent reservoir with variable purge amounts
  • Compact automatic injection head with re-circulation and low mix wastage, including easily removed NRV valves for ratio checking
  • Electronic MPG injection pressure sensor & electronic regulator
 

GERBER DCS1500 CUTTING TABLE
- CNC-automated fabric & polymer sheet cutting

Gerber Cutting TableThe DCS1500 cutting table provides CNC-automated fabric and polymer sheet cutting capabilities.  This easy to operate system enables the lab to produce samples, prototypes, or short production runs.

Features

  • Cutting area - 54" x 66"
  • GUI for cutting automation
  • File type supported: ".dxf" 2-D drawing format
  • Cutting speed - 55" per second
  • Wheel cutter or drag knife
  • Built in vacuum cabinet for decreasing fly

Applications

  • Sample fabric/polymer cutting
  • Component ply cutting
  • Experiment test sample preparation
  • Production fabric kitting
  • Pen plotting
 

WABASH 100 TON PRESS
- hydraulic press for molding, laminating and assembly

Wabash 100 Ton PressThe Wabash Genesis press is used for compression molding of rubber, plastics and composites, and laminating and assembly of preimpregnated thermoset and thermopolymer composites.
Heated platens are capable of producing temperatures up to 800°F allowing the production of a large number of composite, ceramic, and thermoplastic parts.

Features

  • Programmable control (up to 12 heated and cooled cure recipes)
  • 0 to 100 tons clamping force
  • 24" x 24", 800°F max heated (15°F/min. heat-up rate) and water-cooled platens
  • Water-cooled platens

Applications

  • Compression molding
  • Film stacking
  • Thermoplastic and thermoset composite part
 

CARVER 30T PRESSES (two)
- compression molding, laminating and assembly

Carver 30 Ton PressesThe Carver Presses are used for compression molding of rubber, plastics and composites, and laminating and assembly of preimpregnated thermoset and thermoplastic composites.

Features

  • 0-30 ton clamping force
  • 15" x 15", 650°F max heated and water-cooled platens
  • Programmable heating, cooling and force control

Technical Specifications

  • Compression molding
  • Film stacking
  • Thermoplastic and thermoset composite parts
 

FADAL VMC6030 CNC MILL
- tool/fixture fabrication and post-cure maching

Fadal VMC6030 CNC MillThis mill is useful for tool/fixture fabrication and post-cure machining of composite components and assemblies.  Creation of deep, complex molds is possible with this machine.

Features

  • 22.5 HP, high torque, 10,000rpm spindle
  • Travel (X x Y x Z): 60" x 30" x 30"
  • Chilled air and flood cooling
  • Fully enclosed with dust/oil mist collection
  • Fadal 88HS Controller (8MB memory)
  • 21 station geneva-style tool changer
  • Cast iron box ways on all three axes
  • Remote control

Applications

  • Pressed sandwich laminate structures
  • Compression molded rubber and plastic parts
  • Thermoplastic and thermoset composite parts

Technical Specifications

  • Adjustable clamp force: 0 to 100 tons
  • Platen size: 24" x 24"
  • Heated Platens up to 800°F (15°F/min. heat-up rate)
  • Automatic transfer from closing to pressing speed
 

TRI-TECH 5-AXIS MILL HEAD
- for finishing of complex tools, parts and templates

Tri-Tech Mill Head

Features

  • 5,000 RPM Max
  • A-axis travel: ±90°
  • B-axis travel: 360° continuous
  • Fadal 88HS Controller (8MB memory

Accessories

  • Broad range of HSK tool holders and collets

    Applications

    • Surface finishing/contouring of complex tools, parts and templates
     

    HAAS SL30 CNC AUTOMATED TURNING CENTER
    - for mandrel & component production and machining of composite parts

    HAAS Automated Turning Center

    The HAAS SL-30 has a max turning capacity of 17" x 34" and a 10" chuck and with a bar capacity of up to 3.0". This turning center features robust headstock castings with symmetric ribs for rigidity and thermal stability; on-the-fly wye-delta switching for high performance throughout the rpm range; and embedded chip trays and high-volume coolant systems for efficient chip removal. This machine is useful in production of mandrels, individual components, and post cure machining of composite parts.

    Features

    • CNC turning with precision of 0.003" or greater

    Applications

    • Mold making
    • Metal component fabrication
    • Post cure machining of composite structures

    Technical Specifications

    • Spindle speed - 3,400 RPM
    • Max spindle torque - 300ft-lb, 407 Nm @ 700 RPM
    • Spindle shaft power - 30 HP, 22 kW
    • Spindle nose - A2-6
    • Spindle bore - 3.50", 88.9mm
    • Draw tube bore - 3.03", 77mm
    • Swing diameter - 30", 762mm over front apron; 14.5", 368mm over cross slide
    • Chuck size - 10.0", 254mm
    • Max bar capacity - 3.0", 76mm
    • Distance between centers - 39.0", 991mm
    • Max cutting diameter - 17.0", 432mm
    • Max cutting length - 34.0", 864mm

     

    ENGIS TOOL POLISHING SET
    - ultrasonic finishing and control

    Engis Tool Polishing Set

    The Engis tool Polishing Set includes ultrasonic finishing and control.  With a variety of tips and dies, composite part finishing is made easy.

    Features

    • Diprosonic DUS-300
    • Polytor USP 2000
    • Automatic frequency adjusted accordingly by a feedback system
    • Audible sound for on/off
    • Very high frequency (18 -25 kHz)
    • Lightweight hand pieces

    Accessories

    • Broad range of hand tools
    • Multiple tips and fittings
    • Precision tips and files

      Applications

      • Precision finishing and polishing of metal or composite tools
      • Finishing narrow cavities and slots
       

      STRATASYS FORTUS 400FDM PROTOTYPE MACHINE
      - top-of-the-line prototyping machine

      Stratasys Prototype Machine

      The Stratasys Fortus 400 is a top of the line prototyping machine capable of continuous unattended production. With high resolution and detail capability this system provides many options for manufacturing composites and polymers. Creation of complex molds is possible with this machine. The advanced technology of Fortus makes the mechanical properties of the part the most accurate, stable, and durable.

      Features

      • High accuracy:  [ ± 0.127 mm] or [ ±0.0381 mm / mm]* whichever is greater
      • Highest resolution and feature detail capability:  0.005 inch (0.127 mm) for highest feature detail and best surface finish

      Applications

      • Rapid Prototyping Mold
      • Creating high performance parts with tight tolerance
      • Multiple material options for range of applications
      • Capable of multiple color parts in a single build 

      Technical Specifications

      • Material Options
        -- ABS-M30 thermoplastic
        -- ABS-M30i thermoplastic
        -- ABSi thermoplastic
        -- PC-ABS thermoplastic
        -- PC thermoplastic
        -- PC-ISO thermoplastic
        -- ULTEM* 9085 thermoplastic
        -- PPSF thermoplastic
      • Bay 16 x 14 x 16 inches (406 x 356 x 406 mm)
      • Four auto load canister bays of 92 cubic inches each
      • Two build material bays  
      • Two support material bays
       


      To schedule the use of CAPE equipment, go to our online scheduler
      button Online SchedulingContact the CAPE Lab to request an account. 
      CAPE Access Request Form