Written on 08.03.2013 - Technology
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Cannon turns the key at JEC Europe 2013

E‑System industrial dosing unit used for the Estrim technology

Estrim LL – liquid laydown resin application

Three‑component DX 80 dosing unit for epoxy resin

“Turn‑key plants capacity” will be the leitmotiv of Cannon’s presence at the JEC Europe in Paris, 12 – 14 March 2013. During the three‑day event, Cannon will present a wide range of technological solutions for the industrial manufacture of thermosetting and thermoplastic composites.

The problem‑solving approach of Cannon has generated a number of industrial technological solutions for both urethane and epoxy‑based composites that have found immediate interest and positive response amongst the most qualified part makers. Cannon offers the complete manufacturing line required for the production of a composite part – from glass- or carbon‑preformer to the finished part trimming, including chemical dispensing unit and mixing head, moulds, mould carriers, handling and heating systems, trimming and controls.

Classic Cannon solutions like the InterWet and OuterWet – technologies for the co-injection of rigid polyurethanes and chopped glass fibres – are widely used for lightweight, wide structural elements demanded by the transport industry, sanitary ware manufacturers and in the wind power industry.

PU technology

An interesting solution for the manufacture of glass‑reinforced polyurethane manholes will be shown, among others. Another polyurethane-related technology, extensively employed for the manufacture of extremely light and stiff flat parts for automotive interiors, requires a dedicated line for the application of a thin layer of rigid expanded foam over a sandwich structure of folded cardboard lined on both sides with two sheets of non‑woven glass mat. Known under the commercial brand Baypreg this performing solution is today successfully applied in several countries with a Cannon turn‑key line.

Epoxy technology

Estrim, a complete moulding solution for epoxy‑based fast RTM processes, has been designed for the production of automotive, leisure and sport parts. On top of dedicated preformers, polymerisation clamps and moulds, Cannon offers the E‑System, high- pressure metering and mixing equipment that guarantees very fast demoulding times and good distribution of the resin across the entire mould surface. In addition to a standard high‑pressure injection system for a closed mould, two new methods for the distribution of the epoxy resin have been developed: Estrim LL for a liquid laydown and Estrim SL for spray application allowing to reduce the specific pressure in the polymerisation press reducing the investment in clamping equipment.

The wind power industry is rewarding Cannon with growing volumes of business worldwide, thanks to the availability of dedicated low‑pressure resin dispensers for the infusion of epoxy formulations in the giant blades manufactured for offshore and conventional wind turbines. The new series of Cannon DX machines now includes a three-component model that will be launched at JEC. It allows the flexible use of two different hardeners in order to obtain different reaction profiles in accordance with the size of the moulded part, a stringent request coming from the aeolic blade manufacturers that have already appreciated the first two-components models. A new degassing unit for resin and a glueing dispenser for the application of the two-components adhesive on the blade’s edge will also be announced.

The visitors of the show working for the aeronautic industry will have the opportunity to learn about the availability of Cannon’s dedicated plants for the assembly of large composite and metal parts, such as the Alenia Aermacchi M346 advanced trainer. An innovative complete compression moulding line for lightweight reinforced thermoplastics (LWRT) is now available for the production of light automotive parts mostly used as engine shields.