New System for Molding Fuel-Cell Plates.A new automated system for production of thermoset A polymer-based liquid or powder that becomes solid when heated, placed under pressure, treated with a chemical or via radiation. The curing process creates a chemical bond that, unlike a thermoplastic, prevents the material from being remelted. See thermoplastic. fuel-cell plates includes feeding, molding, parts-removal, and deflashing components. More than half a dozen systems have been sold to makers of fuel-cell plates by Hull/finmac, Inc., Warminster, Pa. The heart of the system is Hull/finmac's new FC series of fast-acting compression presses, which range from 30 tons (shown here) to 1200 tons. The company is currently building an 800-tonner for nine-cavity production. These presses have a variable piston pump and closed-loop control with a touch-screen monitor. The system includes a feeding mechanism that brings molding compound--whether polyester BMC (BMC Software, Inc., Houston, TX, www.bmc.com) A leading supplier of software that supports and improves the availability, performance, and recovery of applications in complex computing environments. , phenolic phe·no·lic adj. Of, relating to, containing, or derived from phenol. n. Any of various synthetic thermosetting resins, obtained by the reaction of phenols with simple aldehydes and used as adhesives. , or epoxy--into the mold area and places it in the cavities. An automated unloader un·load v. un·load·ed, un·load·ing, un·loads v.tr. 1. a. To remove the load or cargo from. b. To discharge (cargo or a load). 2. a. removes the plates and holds them flat while transporting them to a deflashing station. Hull/finmac also developed a new deflashing system that can be interfaced with the press. It removes flash and the resin-rich surface film found on some thermoset parts without damaging the fine molded detail, according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. Hull/finmac sources. |
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