ThermoPlastic composites Application Center (TPAC)

Our latest development at TPAC: a tape winding process using glass fibre tape with recycled polypropylene! The process relies on in-situ healing of the polymer rich tape surfaces, ensuring the structural integrity of the layered pipe structure. This technology showcases how recycled composites can be high-performing, sustainable, and budget-friendly, making them accessible for small and medium-sized enterprises. We’re excited to see the potential applications across the industry. Interested in how this technology can help your business? https://lnkd.in/g4e7PJze #ThermoplasticComposites #Recycling #SMEs

We successfully kicked off of our fact-finding mission to strengthen ties in #smart manufacturing between the Netherlands and Türkiye on 19 November. This initiative aims to connect industry leaders, government representatives, and academics to explore innovative technologies and circular manufacturing practices.   We began by exploring the cutting-edge Arçelik Türkiye Garaj, where participants were introduced to innovative technologies shaping the future of #whitegoods manufacturing. The visit included a tour of Workshop 4.0, showcasing the integration of smart manufacturing tools into production processes. Discussions centered on the growing role of #automation, #IoT, and #data-driven strategies in driving efficiency as well as circular design practices by using #biobased #plastics and #composites.   The next stop took us to Sabancı University IMC - Integrated Manufacturing Technologies Research and Application Center, a hub of expertise in #advanced #composites, #robotics, #additive #manufacturing, and #digital #manufacturing solutions. A highlight of this visit was the tour around the center's research facilities. Here attendees witnessed firsthand the state-of-the-art research infrastructure and the output it generates. The day concluded with a visit to OzUBEX, an Industry 4.0 Competence Center located at Özyeğin University that supports #SMEs and startups in their digital and green transformation journeys. Participants toured the center and gained insights into its initiatives in #AI integration, robotics, and smart manufacturing solutions. The focus was on creating pathways for innovation and enabling businesses to thrive in the era of digital transformation and taking into account the green transition as well.   🏆 Key take aways: 🥇 Türkiye is investing substantially in the innovation ecosystem around the digital and green transformation of the manufacturing industry. Advanced manufacturing is becoming an import part of it. 🥈 That ecosystem plus the scale of the Turkish manufacturing industry makes it an attractive partner to scale up Dutch innovative solutions in circularity as well as in AI, robotics and other digital solutions. 🥉 There is growing attention to developing #biobased solutions for the (advanced) manufacturing sector, including biobased plastics & composites and using plastic waste as a resource for new products. Special thanks to our participants, including Susan van Boxtel from Oost NL, Aydin van den Bergh van SAM XL, Ferrie van Hattum van ThermoPlastic composites Application Center (TPAC), Wubbo Everts van NV NOM, Daniël Bruning van InnovationQuarter, Niek Koopmans van Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency and our Turkish hosts, for their invaluable contributions. Your expertise and enthusiasm are driving this initiative toward tangible outcomes for both countries. Innovatie Attaché Netwerk / IA (Netherlands Innovation Network) Rory Nuijens Iclal Arguc Demirtas Necla Gunay Kemal Sedefci, Ph.Dc

At ThermoPlastic composites Application Center (TPAC) we continuously facilitate internships and graduation assignments for students. An example is Kevin Veldkamp, a fourth-year Mechatronics student from Saxion University of Applied Sciences. “I’m working on designing a Digital Image Correlation (DIC) system for the tensile testing equipment. The goal of this new system is to precisely measure local deformations during tensile and bending tests. By gathering this detailed data, we aim to gain deeper insights into the stress distribution in non-homogeneous test specimens.”

Last week, second-year Chemical Engineering students from Saxion University of Applied Sciences completed a practical assignment in the TPAC lab. They produced samples using our injection molding machine and tested mechanical properties and shrinkage behavior. The students found the experience inspiring, as they saw theory come to life. This week, TPAC will host another session where students will manufacture and test their own laminated composites. #education #composites #injectionmoulding #DOE

The TPAC is present at Sampe Europe 2024 in Belfast! Would you like to know more about the research at ThermoPlastic composites Application Center (TPAC), and the possibilities for collaboration? Our colleagues Ferrie van Hattum and Erik Krämer, are happy to talk to you at Sampe Europe 2024. For more information about TPAC go to: https://lnkd.in/gMzcYtK

One of the research lines of the ThermoPlastic composites Application Center (TPAC) is "Automation". Within this research line the TPAC investigates the development of 3D printing technology with continuous fibres to allow high volume production of net-shape, tailored fibre reinforced thermoplastic composite structures at consistent quality. Together with CEAD Group and Stellantis, research was conducted in the 3D printing of fibre reinforced materials for automotive parts. A demonstrator case was produced, where stiffening ribs where printed with a non-planar tool path. Furthermore, research was done in the 3D printing of continues fibres. Therefore a special printing head was developed at the TPAC. TPAC’s Rik Brouwer tells you more about it in the following video: https://lnkd.in/eFCUgPE3 #processing #3dprinting #printing #thermoplastic #composites #automotive Videography : Moekotte Media - Creative Agency

Last week Edwin Wessels (left) and Daan Van Der Zalm (right) joined the ThermoPlastic composites Application Center (TPAC) team! Daan van der Zalm “In 2022 I started at the TPAC with my first internship and in 2024 I completed my graduation project at the TPAC, where I developed a thermoplastic stamp-forming machine. At the end of June I graduated as an engineering technician specializing in mechatronics.  At the beginning of September, I officially joined the team at the TPAC. The opportunity to work on projects from start to finish, the variety of tasks, and the freedom in projects is the reason that I stayed at TPAC. Each project offers something new and exciting, and the fantastic team here makes it even more enjoyable to work at the TPAC.” Edwin Wessels “This month I started as a technical engineer at the TPAC. This after working in the membrane filtration industry for about 25 years as an operator, teamlead, production-/ and R&D engineer. In these various roles I have gained experience with thermoset plastics, mixing machines, building and testing prototypes and 0-series production, up to the final series and mass production.  I like variety and working with new techniques and equipment as a researcher. This to ultimately be able to, together with a team, deliver a new project, product or equipment. In order to broaden my knowledge, but also to pass on my practical research experience to a new generation of technicians or researchers, it seemed like a nice challenge to start working as a technical engineer TPAC. But together with my nice new colleagues from TPAC that won't be a problem!”

Latest newsletter from ThermoPlastic composites Application Center (TPAC) out now! In this #newsletter you can read about the 3D printing with wood fibres, reinforcement of prostheses, new TPAC team members and the start of a new project: Next Thermoplastic Composites Manufacturing Solutions. You can find the complete newsletter here: https://lnkd.in/esS6TN2C Would you like to get the next newsletter in your mail? Then you can sign up here: https://lnkd.in/eSkv8fbH #thermoplastics #composites

TPAC is part of a NXTGEN Hightech project. Within this project we work on innovative automation solutions to improve the production of composites parts. One of the aspects that TPAC is focusing on is the recycling of thermoplastic composites with an extruder equipped with specially designed low shear screw. As part of this project Anatole van Exter from the Polytech Grenoble is doing his internship assignment. The aim of Anatole’s project is to predict the amount of breakage of the fibres during the recycling process.  Glass fibre reinforced polypropylene tapes are chopped into various sizes and inserted into an extruder. The material passes along a screw through different heating zones and exits as a molten dough. This dough is compression molded into rectangular plates to investigate mechanical properties and determine the fibre length. Considering parameters such as the initial length of the fibers or the speed rate of the rotation of the screw, the aim is to better understand the behavior of the composite and use it to its fullest potential.

Yesterday TPAC's Scientific Director Ferrie van Hattum presented the technical paper "Recycled carbon composites in aerospace applications" at the AuxDefense Conference in Braga, Portugal. He talked about the various high-end recycling projects at ThermoPlastic composites Application Center (TPAC). In these projects C/PPS production waste was recycled into new aerospace parts. Would you like to know more? Please go to: https://lnkd.in/gs32CNW4 or https://lnkd.in/eqJz8ExY #composites #recycling #carbon #aerospace