Karl Mayer Technische Textilien GmbH is entering the market for machine technology for producing thermoplastic UD tapes, a special type of fiber-reinforced plastics (FRPs), by launching a completely new line for efficiently producing these tapes.
FRPs are important drivers in the lightweight construction sector, and are contributing to the concept of sustainability in the building sector. UD tapes score points here by offering maximum potentials for producing lightweight structures. They are made up of unidirectional, continuous reinforcing fibers, which mean that they can absorb high levels of stress. Using thermoplastic rather than thermosetting matrix systems gives rise to further advantages. For example, thermoplastic UD tapes can be recycled but, above all, they can be processed more efficiently – an important requirement for mass production.
Mass production of semi-finished products forms the focus of the new line for processing thermoplastic UD tapes. There is a need for reproducibility, quality and efficiency at a reasonable cost – challenges that this company, with its many years of experience in non-crimped fabrics (NCFs) made from glass and carbon fibers, has been tackling.
More specifically, Karl Mayer Technische Textilien has extended its spreading technology to include suitable heating and impregnating modules. The result is a machine system that is setting the trend. This new development delivers a continuous mode of operating, high production speeds, and large tape widths. It represents the company’s latest step along the way to being a system supplier for dry and impregnated NCFs.
The first line for producing thermoplastic UD tapes will be ready to be presented this autumn at Karl Mayer Technische Textilien in Chemnitz, and will be available for producing samples on behalf of customers. The first public debut of the new line will be at ITMA from June 20th to 26th in Barcelona. The machine will also be a part of its presentation in the forum at Techtextil fair in Frankfurt on May 15th.