Carbon Fiber Compression Molding
Carbon fiber compression molding is a technology derived form SMC ( Sheet Molding Compound ) and sometimes also called carbon SMC. This technology consents the production of complex full or hollow 3D shaped parts in carbon fiber similar to forged aluminium parts. This will leave the designer much more freedom of shape than with traditional carbon fiber part production techniques. The carbon fiber compression molding technique is often used to substitute forged aluminium components. Parts produced with this carbon fiber compression molding technique, if designed well can be more light, more stiff and more resistant than aluminium parts. They are also more fatigue resistant, have a low CTE ( Coefficient of Thermal Expansion ) and are X-ray transparent. The compression molding technique also consents co-molding of metal inserts and within limits also undercuts.
Compression molded parts are highly reproducible and have a constant quality during production. This makes them highly suitable for post-molding thermoplastic over-injection molding. The mechanical properties of carbon fiber compression molded parts is quasi isotropic whcih means that it will be much easier for the designer to execute structural calculations, by hand or by means of finite elements
One of our latest developments is the production of hollow carbon fiber compression molded parts. Hollow parts result in lower llighter parts which means increased structural efficiency.
A compression molding production cycle takes between 10 to 30 minutes. With multi cavity molds this means a very low cycle time and this ensures a high production rate.
