Tag: NEW MATERIALS AND PRODUCTION PROCESSES FOR INDUSTRIAL DESIGN

composite materials

COMPOSITE MATERIALS: BENEFITS AND INNOVATIONS

18 Luglio 2018

The use of COMPOSITE MATERIALS in the industrial and non-industrial fields has assumed considerable importance over the last few decades. In some sectors they are completely replacing metal, plastic and wood materials, thanks to their very high physical-mechanical properties that allow structural applications in various fields.
The latest generation composites provide for the application of natural fibers and bio matrices, to be more and more eco-compatible.

 

COMPOSITE MATERIALS: WHAT THEY ARE AND HOW THEY CAN BE USED.

COMPOSITE MATERIALS are materials consisting of a binding matrix and a reinforcement. They are in fact obtained by the close cohesion of at least two components, whose physical and chemical characteristics are such as to make them different and mutually insoluble and therefore separate from one another. These elements are called, fiber (or reinforcement fabric) and matrix.

composite materials
The matrix is the “glue” that holds the reinforcement together and protects it from the effects of the environment, also allowing to distribute the external loads inside the material and in the reinforcement. Reinforcement is a generic term for fibers, flakes or particles dispersed within the matrix.
Composite materials enable the construction of lightweight, resistant and energy-efficient structures that can be used in a wide variety of applications. In general they are used when it is required the containment of the masses of a structure or, while maintaining a high structural integrity, as well as the possibility of realizing very integrated and small dimensions. The lightness of the composites and the possibility of creating complex aerodynamic shapes allows a saving in weight and size, not obtainable with other existing technologies.

This is why the use of composite materials continues to grow in many applications.
The aeronautical and aerospace sectors represent reference sectors and are at the forefront of the use of composite materials. In the automotive industry they are mainly used to increase energy efficiency.
In some fields composites have already almost entirely replaced traditional materials, such as sports equipment for racing and wind turbines. The nautical industry also uses ever more quantities of composite materials.
More and more frequent are the less “conventional” applications, related to common sectors such as design, luggage and even accessories and item for the table!

MANUFATURING PROCESSES

The use of composite materials requires different technical and economic evaluations, in fact unlike metals or other traditional materials, they require the use of processes and methodologies, which even if applied on an industrial and production scale, have relevant time and cost of realization.
There are different methods for the production of composite materials.

composite materials - autoclave
One of the main ones, as well as that used in the aeronautical field, is the autoclave process, since it guarantees the best mechanical characteristics on the finished product.
This processing is usually used to treat carbon fibers or kevlar. First, the layers of fibers of the desired length are cut; subsequently these are stacked and glued. These blocks are then inserted into an autoclave, where they are subjected to temperature and pressure programs, at the end of which the hardened laminate is obtained. In this process it is very common to use prepreg (resin impregnated fibers), which guarantee structural homogeneity to the composite.

TYPES OF COMPOSITE MATERIALS
There are many types of composite materials. The first distinction divides the fibers and the matrices into two macro areas, according to whether these are natural or synthetic.
The most famous types of synthetic fibers are certainly the CARBON FIBER, the ARAMID FIBER (KEVLAR) and the GLASS FIBER .

composite materials
Alongside to these, there are the synthetic matrices: THERMO-DURING POLYMERS, EPOXY / POLYESTER, THERMOPLASTIC POLYMERS, POLYETHYLENE
Since the first products in carbon and thermosetting resin appeared for the first time on the civil market, science has made progress in the world of composites; today, other types of materials are available with alternative technical and functional characteristics compared to traditional composites.
Particularly interesting is the impregnation of natural fibers with thermoplastic resins of bio derivation that allows to obtain natural products ecofriendly very requested by the current market
The natural composites, that is constituted by at least one element of natural derivation, are currently of particular importance. Today, in fact, alternative sources are available; this is the case, for example, of so-called “green” reinforcements, such as hemp, linen or bamboo fibers.

BENEFITS
The use of composite materials allows to create products with characteristics previously impossible or simply give new life to a mature product.
The benefits deriving from their application are numerous, including:

  •  MECHANICAL RESISTANCE
  • CHEMICAL RESISTANCE
  • SHAPE STABILITY
  • LIGHTNESS
  • VERSATILITY IN THE REALIZATION OF GEOMETRIES
  • ELASTICITY
  • LONG LIFE TIME

In addition to structural efficiency, composite materials can also be more intelligent, more functional and versatile than traditional ones. The combination of new features in composites is considerably easier than metals and the only obstacle is the boundaries of imagination.
Composite materials will make tomorrow’s world an increasingly functional place to live!

 

 

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NEW MATERIALS AND PRODUCTION PROCESSES FOR INDUSTRIAL DESIGN

NEW MATERIALS AND PRODUCTION PROCESSES FOR INDUSTRIAL DESIGN – MAY 17th 2018 – POLITECNICO BARI

5 Giugno 2018

For the cycle of meetings “Le imprese guidate dalle idee“, the conference “NEW MATERIALS AND PRODUCTION PROCESSES FOR INDUSTRIAL DESIGN“, promoted by ADI and Politecnico di Bari, was held last May 17th by some members of the EPI team, production and marketing specialists.

The lecture ( NEW MATERIALS AND PRODUCTION PROCESSES FOR INDUSTRIAL DESIGN ) which is part of a series of meetings promoted by ADI Puglia and Basilicata in the territory of competence, was held at the Politecnico of Bari, DICAR department, coordinated by Professor Rosanna Carullo and saw a large participation by students in the courses of design, architecture and engineering.
In addition to Professor Carullo, coordinator of the degree course in Industrial Design at the Politecnico of Bari, who introduced the meeting, spoke Antonio Labalestra, professor of history of design at the same university, who described the historical context of innovation, Giacomo Ventolone, EPI Marketing Specialist, describing the theme of Design and marketing as an economic lever in companies, and Tonino Rossetti, EPI Production Area, who was entrusted with the specific theme of the meeting: NEW MATERIALS AND PRODUCTION PROCESSES FOR INDUSTRIAL DESIGN.
The event led by Roberto Marcatti, president of ADI Puglia and Basilicata, starts from the awareness that design innovation is based on the availability of new materials and new production processes, and it is necessary that marketing be integrated in this process to understand the direction in which to direct communication and distribution of new products.

In the furniture-design sector, the use of composite materials aims to lighten the finished product, at the same time improving its mechanical and aesthetic characteristics, as well as giving it a distinctive design. A lightness that translates into greater ease of use and handling both in the warehouse and at home.

EPI, a company specialized in the processing of carbon fiber, designs and manufactures composite components for various industrial sectors. EPI has recently collaborated with several companies in the furniture industry, for the design and construction of components and structural parts, made of carbon fiber. Aerospace-derived technology blends with craftsmanship and design giving life to unique objects, which bring a still little-known material, such as carbon fiber, into everyday life!

The audience of students, and not only, showed a strong interest and participation.
The meeting “NEW MATERIALS AND PRODUCTION PROCESSES FOR INDUSTRIAL DESIGN” has highlighted numerous possibilities for collaboration which, precisely on the study of materials and processing processes, finds a convergence between the fields of the engineering sciences and design, sectors that already collaborate within the course of studies in industrial design.

This is also highlighted by Professor Carullo in her commentary on the event: “The meeting organized by the ADI with the collaboration of the course in Industrial Design at the Politecnico of Bari was an opportunity for a comparison between universities and production excellences of our Region. There are numerous topics of in-depth analysis, first of all the use of innovative materials on one side experimented on traditional product types, on the other hand to be continually tested in their multiple application possibilities, in search of their own aesthetical language.From this point of view, the importance of dialogue between the disciplines of design and of design history and engineering disciplines has emerged, a dialogue that the course of study constantly fosters also at an educational level and which can be found in the relationship with the companies of the territory its best field of experimentation, in a virtuous circle between research, teaching and innovative companies that the Adi in recent years constantly promotes “.

The valuable work of the ADI emerges from these words, whose purpose is putting in synergy more actors and more skills through this type of event and “mapping the territory covered by each delegation looking for companies and professionals with to speak the same language: project, research, innovation, technology, sustainability, alternative production systems, etc. “, as Roberto Marcatti claims.
The president then goes on to say “It is a personal satisfaction and of all the members of the Delegation’s Board to see that everything can and must be done so that different worlds can talk and start working together on new projects and new strategies; the dialogue between the different skills and disciplines of design, including that of social design is top-flight.  I am sure that other companies and academic institutions will also be able to collaborate with us, that have matured ,as an Association, in 60 years since our establishment ,an experience and a role of great importance representing the entire Made in Italy chain “.