Quebec, Canada-based Camoplast Inc. has partnered with Bayer MaterialScience LLC and KraussMaffei AG to develop Camoplast Long Fiber.
CLF makes it possible to produce large parts using the long-fiber injection process. The first application is the hull of a personal watercraft that recently hit the market.
The process is an alternative to the traditional method of robotic shell molding of glass-fiber-reinforced polyester resin. Camoplast, challenged by a customer to make a lighter, more-efficient hull for personal watercraft, determined that LFI could work.
In LFI, long glass fibers are injected, along with polyurethane resin, into an open mold in a one-step process, using a chopper attached to the mix head, which is attached to a robot. At the end of the pour, the mold is closed.
Bayer MaterialScience developed a proprietary grade of its Baydur STR 814 polyurethane. KraussMaffei enhanced its LFI technology by nearly doubling the glass output capability, enabling the production of the highly reinforced hulls.
Tel. 450-548-1016, e-mail [email protected].