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Batch RTM machine enhances production
PROCES$i)@J& Batch RTM machine enhances production ITS RETRAM bm 10 is one of the most versatile fibre reinforced plastic (FRP) moulding machines available, says FGP Ltd of Hyderabad, India. The machine, developed after extensive research, is a meter mix system that can be applied to both resin transfer moulding (RTM) and spray applications. The unit can inject resin into a closed mould at a rate of 2 kg/min, at an injection pressure of 0.3 MPa. A maximum injection pressure of 1 MPa is possible. Pigment changes can be incorporated quickly. The unit has a resin storage capacity of 5565 kg, coupled with a mixing/pumping capacity of 11-13 kg. The machine is designed for mixing resin in batches. Additions such as accelerator, pigment and filler may be included. For hand lay-up applications,
catalysts may be added in the required quantities. FGP says that this ensures the moulded products obtained have uniformly distributed filler, even colouring, and consistent properties. The unit is provided with a suitable spray gun for resin spraying onto a mould surface. It is also equipped with a resin roller attachment that allows it to dispense resin evenly and quickly over glass fibre reinforcements for large area applications. FGP says that the Retram machine also may be used to recover used solvent that has been contaminated with resin. The unit can be used for acetone as well as methyl ethyl ketone. R K Gera, FGP Ltd; tel: f 91-40-235536; fax: + 91-40-241498. The Retram bm 10 offers increased productivity.
Spray well and cut emissions LOW STYRENE emission (LSE) gel-coats (see pp. 62-64) can help cut worker exposure but they are not the complete answer. Well trained operators are a key element in cutting exposure during gel-coat spray-up, according to a study carried out by gelcoat maker Neste and the Technical Research Centre of Finland (VTT). Using a mobile ventilation system equipped with a video camera and data logger, VTT varied spray parameters using guns from Glas-Craft, Aplicator and Venus. The
team looked at the effects of spray distance, spray pressure, nozzle size and spray angle, on the level of styrene emission. The greatest effect was achieved by increasing the size of the nozzle, which could cut emissions by up to 30%. Reducing spray distance could offer a reduction of 20% in emissions and reducing the angle of the spray pattern also had a beneficial effect. Little change in absolute emission levels was noted with changes in spray pressure. However,
raising the pressure does increase the emission rate. Although higher pressure means that a worker can spray more parts in a shift it also means that the chances of that worker being overexposed are greater. Transfer efficiency, usually quoted by the spray gun makers as the key parameter for low styrene emissions, was found to have an effect. V’IT’s test showed that a higher efficiency meant lower emissions. But the most important factor in achieving a good transfer
efficiency was the operators themselves. Workertraining is a major component in reducing emissions, says the laboratory. Workers trained to spray with a good pattern using the correct distance, angle and orifice, will be able to significantly reduce their exposure. The next stage in VIT’s testing will be to study the possibility of reducing styrene exposure by using a mobile local ventilation system. Leslie Petersen, Neste; tel: + 358204-50-5276; fax: + 358204-50-4985.
Reinforced Plastics October 1996
catalysts may be added in the required quantities. FGP says that this ensures the moulded products obtained have uniformly distributed filler, even colouring, and consistent properties. The unit is provided with a suitable spray gun for resin spraying onto a mould surface. It is also equipped with a resin roller attachment that allows it to dispense resin evenly and quickly over glass fibre reinforcements for large area applications. FGP says that the Retram machine also may be used to recover used solvent that has been contaminated with resin. The unit can be used for acetone as well as methyl ethyl ketone. R K Gera, FGP Ltd; tel: f 91-40-235536; fax: + 91-40-241498. The Retram bm 10 offers increased productivity.
Spray well and cut emissions LOW STYRENE emission (LSE) gel-coats (see pp. 62-64) can help cut worker exposure but they are not the complete answer. Well trained operators are a key element in cutting exposure during gel-coat spray-up, according to a study carried out by gelcoat maker Neste and the Technical Research Centre of Finland (VTT). Using a mobile ventilation system equipped with a video camera and data logger, VTT varied spray parameters using guns from Glas-Craft, Aplicator and Venus. The
team looked at the effects of spray distance, spray pressure, nozzle size and spray angle, on the level of styrene emission. The greatest effect was achieved by increasing the size of the nozzle, which could cut emissions by up to 30%. Reducing spray distance could offer a reduction of 20% in emissions and reducing the angle of the spray pattern also had a beneficial effect. Little change in absolute emission levels was noted with changes in spray pressure. However,
raising the pressure does increase the emission rate. Although higher pressure means that a worker can spray more parts in a shift it also means that the chances of that worker being overexposed are greater. Transfer efficiency, usually quoted by the spray gun makers as the key parameter for low styrene emissions, was found to have an effect. V’IT’s test showed that a higher efficiency meant lower emissions. But the most important factor in achieving a good transfer
efficiency was the operators themselves. Workertraining is a major component in reducing emissions, says the laboratory. Workers trained to spray with a good pattern using the correct distance, angle and orifice, will be able to significantly reduce their exposure. The next stage in VIT’s testing will be to study the possibility of reducing styrene exposure by using a mobile local ventilation system. Leslie Petersen, Neste; tel: + 358204-50-5276; fax: + 358204-50-4985.
Reinforced Plastics October 1996