- Email: [email protected]
Caterpillar adopts hybrid engine hoods
pgs4_9.qxd
07/02/2003
12:22
Page 4
applications news
Caterpillar adopts hybrid engine hoods
One of two new GRP hoods, made by applying glass reinforced PU to a thermoformed shell.
THOMPSON Plastics Group and Caterpillar Inc have developed two glass reinforced plastic (GRP) engine hoods for Caterpillar’s Compact Wheeled loader machine.
The parts are made by applying a new glass and polyurethane (PU) reinforcement to a thermoformed shell to produce a structurally rigid component. Finished
components are supplied to Caterpillar ready to be mounted directly onto the vehicles. Thompson says combining glass reinforced PU with a thermoplastic skin allows parts to be tailored to individual performance and cost requirements. Glass length, content and position can all be varied, as can the PU formulation, to optimize the performance of a part. While the thermoplastic skin offers resistance to ultraviolet (UV) and chemical attack, a high gloss finish, colourability and scratch resistance, Thompson uses the glass reinforced PU to provide structural rigidity, load bearing strength, thermal insulation and resistance to abrasion, solvents and oil. For the volumes involved in the production of off-road,
agricultural and industrial vehicles, Thompson says coupling glass PU reinforcement with thermoforming provides a cost effective alternative to other plastic manufacturing processes. It believes the technology could be easily applied to other structural vehicle parts in the future. In addition to long fibre PU technology, the company has also invested in a water jet trimming machine and a rotary table to support the tool presses and reduce cycle times by allowing the machine to be used whilst another part is curing. Thompson Plastics Group; tel: +44-1482-646464; fax: +441482-646625; e-mail: info@ thompson-plastics.com; website: www.thompson-plastics-group. com.
RES No. 304 – USE THE FAST NEW ENQUIRY SERVICE @ www.reinforcedplastics.com
4
REINFORCEDplastics
February 2003
07/02/2003
12:22
Page 4
applications news
Caterpillar adopts hybrid engine hoods
One of two new GRP hoods, made by applying glass reinforced PU to a thermoformed shell.
THOMPSON Plastics Group and Caterpillar Inc have developed two glass reinforced plastic (GRP) engine hoods for Caterpillar’s Compact Wheeled loader machine.
The parts are made by applying a new glass and polyurethane (PU) reinforcement to a thermoformed shell to produce a structurally rigid component. Finished
components are supplied to Caterpillar ready to be mounted directly onto the vehicles. Thompson says combining glass reinforced PU with a thermoplastic skin allows parts to be tailored to individual performance and cost requirements. Glass length, content and position can all be varied, as can the PU formulation, to optimize the performance of a part. While the thermoplastic skin offers resistance to ultraviolet (UV) and chemical attack, a high gloss finish, colourability and scratch resistance, Thompson uses the glass reinforced PU to provide structural rigidity, load bearing strength, thermal insulation and resistance to abrasion, solvents and oil. For the volumes involved in the production of off-road,
agricultural and industrial vehicles, Thompson says coupling glass PU reinforcement with thermoforming provides a cost effective alternative to other plastic manufacturing processes. It believes the technology could be easily applied to other structural vehicle parts in the future. In addition to long fibre PU technology, the company has also invested in a water jet trimming machine and a rotary table to support the tool presses and reduce cycle times by allowing the machine to be used whilst another part is curing. Thompson Plastics Group; tel: +44-1482-646464; fax: +441482-646625; e-mail: info@ thompson-plastics.com; website: www.thompson-plastics-group. com.
RES No. 304 – USE THE FAST NEW ENQUIRY SERVICE @ www.reinforcedplastics.com
4
REINFORCEDplastics
February 2003