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Showing posts from October, 2014

Nikon D750 with carbon-fiber reinforced thermoplastics

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With features inspired by D4S and D810, the D750 brings dazzling image quality, cinematic video capabilities and pro-inspired handling in a nimble design with a tilting Vari-angle LCD and built-in Wi-Fi connectivity. Enthusiasts upgrading from a DX-format D-SLR will marvel at the D750's full-frame performance. Pros seeking a primary or secondary camera for fast-paced shoots will appreciate the D750's familiar handling and speed. And filmmakers looking for a compact D-SLR to bring a production to life or to capture B-Roll will find the D750 a perfect fit. The D750 is a thrilling centerpiece of an exceptional imaging system.  Another first for a Nikon full-frame D-SLR, the D750 employs a compact, lightweight and slim monocoque body design. The front body and front cover are constructed from carbon-fiber reinforced thermoplastics, while the rear and top covers are magnesium alloy, for a balanced combination of nimbleness and ruggedness. This slim styling and ergonomic la...

DuPont's Renewably-sourced Sorona® EP Polymer Finds Use in DTR's Cervical Biopsy Punch

DTR Medical, among the leading manufacturers of single-use surgical instruments, has specified Sorona® renewably sourced polymer for six components in its new Cervical Rotating Biopsy Punch. This grade is a 15-percent glass filled grade of Sorona® EP providing high strength and stiffness. Further attributes of Sorona® useful in this application include resistance to gamma sterilization and excellent dimensional stability. The Cervical Rotating Biopsy Punch is used to take a tissue sample, on patients undergoing cervical cancer biopsies, for cell analysis by microscopy. The DuPont material, which is supplied with full regulatory compliance for use in healthcare applications and is produced according to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) standards, is used in the handle and trigger mechanism to mold the rear hand left and right, front handle, connector pin, rotational controller and the rotational controller with chamfer. These parts are used to activate a spring, driving the inner...

Lehvoss Unveils High Performance LUVOCOM® 70 PK Compounds for Engineering Applications

Lehvoss North America announces the introduction of its LUVOCOM® 70 series of high performance compounds based on polyketone (PK). These compounds fill the gap between compounds based on technical polymers like  PA6 ,  PA66,  and acetal and high performance polymers such as  polyphenylene sulfide  ( PPS ),  polyetherimide  ( PEI ), and polyaryletherketone (PAEK). In having a combination of select features of these other polymers, the PK polymer offers an exceptional property profile with unique advantages for applications having multiple engineering requirements. "The introduction is actually a re-launch," explained Michael Sandeen, Sales and Business Development Manager at Lehvoss, "Various LUVOCOM 70 products had been available until the year 2000 but had to be cancelled due to Shell Chemical's discontinuation of Carilon PK polymer production. With the polymer now available, Lehvoss decided to start the development of these new high performance...

BASF's New Elastollan® AC 55D10 HPM TPU Finds Application in Citroën C4 Cactus' Airbumps

As a manufacturer of  thermoplastic polyurethane  ( TPU ), BASF has successfully optimized the material so that it can be applied extensively and unpainted on the vehicle exterior. The automotive manufacturer PSA Peugeot Citroën uses the new  TPU  grade Elastollan® AC 55D10 HPM (High Performance Material) for cladding the Citroën C4 Cactus with so-called Airbumps®. These are large air-filled cushion bumpers in contrasting colors: They are fitted on the sides as well as on the front and rear of the vehicle, protect the car exterior from impact and scratches and give the vehicle its distinctive look. This world first is the result of many years of development work between the French automotive manufacturer, the supplier Rehau, Switzerland and BASF. Rehau manufactures the side Airbumps®, while the company Faurecia, France produces the bumpers at the front and back. "With their characteristic Elastollan® surface, Airbumps® embody the philosophy of the Citroën C4 Cact...

LANXESS Achieves Process Innovation in Production of Tepex Continuous FRT Composites

LANXESS has achieved a process innovation in the production of continuous fiber-reinforced thermoplastic Tepex composites. The subsidiary company Bond-Laminates, which manufactures these composites, is now able to continuously series-produce large semi-finished composite products in which the continuous fiber layers can be oriented at almost any conceivable angle. Until now, the continuous fibers in Tepex could only be lined up in the direction of production or perpendicular to it (0 degrees or 90 degrees). This process innovation means the designer can use the differently oriented composite continuous fibers to help him react more specifically to the force transmission in the target component. Even quasi-isotropic constructions can now be fashioned using Tepex. "This means Tepex can be used to design lighter-weight composite components that are tailored even more specifically to the load in question. So the new-generation Tepex strengthens our position as a leading supplier of ...

DSM's Dyneema® UHMWPE Fiber-based Fishing Trawls Improve Sustainability of Fishing Industry

Fishing Company Cornelis Vrolijk, based in IJmuiden, The Netherlands, and its subsidiary Jaczon, based in Scheveningen, The Netherlands, are specialized in pelagic fishing. The fishing trawls on board of their trawlers, which are used for catching pelagic (schooling) species, are traditionally made of nylon. Cornelis Vrolijk and Jaczon are now replacing their nylon trawls by trawls made from DSM's light and exceptionally strong  UHMwPE  ( ultra high molecular weight polyethylene ) fiber, branded as Dyneema®. The use of this far thinner material in pelagic trawls offers immediate and tangible environmental advantages. The reduced resistance of the trawls in the water translates into a significant reduction in CO 2  emissions, thus reducing the CO 2  footprint of the pelagic fishing fleet. In this way Dyneema® makes a substantial contribution to improving the overall sustainability of the fishing industry. The innovative trawls made from Dyneema® were developed...

Braskem Provides Sugarcane Ethanol Derived Green PE-based Packaging for Organic Bread

Eureka! Organic Bread is introducing three bread varieties on the East Coast. The new flavors are certified Vegan and USDA Organic, and the renewable bag demonstrates the company's commitment to sustainability. Braskem and Bimbo packaging engineers have been working to produce bio-based packaging using Braskem's Green Polyethylene, which is produced from sugarcane ethanol, a 100 percent renewable raw material. The sugarcane used is non-GMO (genetically modified organisms) based. The bread packaging is made with 36 percent bio based material; verified using ASTM D6866, Eureka! Organic Bread bags are the first packaged bread in North America to use this renewable and sustainable technology. For each ton of plastic produced, green plastic sequestrates approximately 2.15* tons of CO 2  from the atmosphere. To help consumers recognize green plastic in stores, Braskem created a seal, which guarantees the renewable content of the plastic. Braskem has been making Green Polyeth...

Momentive's Lightweight CF Epoxy Door Structure Wins SPE's ACCE's 'People's Choice' Award

Momentive Specialty Chemicals Inc. ("MSC") won the "People's Choice" Award for the "Most Innovative Composite Part" at the annual Society of Plastics Engineers Automotive Composites Conference & Exhibition (ACCE) last month in Novi, Michigan. The lightweight carbon fiber epoxy door structure submitted by MSC was singled out by vote of conference attendees. Judging for the competition was based on the impact and trendsetting features of each application, including construction materials, processing methods, assembly methods, and other technologies that made the application possible. Design benefits, weight and cost reduction, parts consolidation, functional integration, and improved performance were also taken into consideration. The winning component was a light-weight, carbon fiber epoxy door and window frame profile produced by Benteler-SGL for 2013 and later Porsche 911 GT3 Cup coupes. The composite was manufactured by high pressure resi...