HSGM Develops New Knife Design For Vectran® Fiber Fabrics
Heissschneide-Geräte und -Maschinen (HSGM) GmbH, a Germany-based manufacturer of heat cutters
that also has sales and distribution operations in the United States, has developed a new cutting
blade suitable for hot cutting fabrics made with Vectran® liquid crystal polymer fiber. Hot cutting
involves heating the blade of the cutting tool to a temperature above the zero-strength temperature
of the fiber, which also creates a welded edge as the material is cut.
Manufactured by United States-based Kuraray America Inc., Vectran exhibits properties such as high cut and abrasion resistance that quickly dull conventional cutting blades and reduce cutting speed. Kuraray contacted HSGM about the problem through its new materials testing program and sent some Vectran samples for trials. After tests at its laboratory in Germany, HSGM determined units HSG-1-VW and HSG-03-VW with blade type HSS15°-7mm to be the most appropriate for cutting Vectran. According to the company, the cutters also can be used as an alternative to high-speed saws for cutting rigid composite laminates containing Vectran.
"We found the Vectran very difficult to cut by conventional means," said Stephan Herrmann, general manager, HSGM. "However, because of the fiber's unique thermal properties, we were able to soon find the right combination of heater and blade design. Comparing hot cutting of Vectran to hot cutting of aramids, Vectran could be hot cut easier and a little bit faster."
"With its high cut resistance and other properties, Vectran fiber provides an alternative for product designers and engineers who want to use high-tech materials but have had problems cutting aramids," said Dr. Forrest Sloan, manager, international marketing, Kuraray America's Vectran Division.
January/February/March 2009
Manufactured by United States-based Kuraray America Inc., Vectran exhibits properties such as high cut and abrasion resistance that quickly dull conventional cutting blades and reduce cutting speed. Kuraray contacted HSGM about the problem through its new materials testing program and sent some Vectran samples for trials. After tests at its laboratory in Germany, HSGM determined units HSG-1-VW and HSG-03-VW with blade type HSS15°-7mm to be the most appropriate for cutting Vectran. According to the company, the cutters also can be used as an alternative to high-speed saws for cutting rigid composite laminates containing Vectran.
"We found the Vectran very difficult to cut by conventional means," said Stephan Herrmann, general manager, HSGM. "However, because of the fiber's unique thermal properties, we were able to soon find the right combination of heater and blade design. Comparing hot cutting of Vectran to hot cutting of aramids, Vectran could be hot cut easier and a little bit faster."
"With its high cut resistance and other properties, Vectran fiber provides an alternative for product designers and engineers who want to use high-tech materials but have had problems cutting aramids," said Dr. Forrest Sloan, manager, international marketing, Kuraray America's Vectran Division.
January/February/March 2009
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HSGM为Vectran®纤维织物开发出新的刀具设计
德国Heissschneide-Geräte und-Maschinen (HSGM) 公司是一家热切割器生产商, 在美国也有销售及配发部门, 它开发出一种新的切割刀片,
适用于热切割由Vectran® 液晶聚合纤维制成的织物。热切割就是将切割工具的刀片加热到超过纤维零强度所需温度以上的温度, 当这种材料被切割时还会产生一个焊接边缘。
由位于美国的Kuraray美洲公司制造的Vectran纤维面料其性能, 包括热切割和耐磨损, 会很快的使传统切割刀片变钝, 并降低切割速度。就这一出现在它的新材料测试项目中的问题,
Kuraray与HSGM进行了联系, 并寄去了一些Vectran样品进行试验。经过位于德国的实验室的测试,
HSGM认定配有刀片型号为HSS15°-7mm的组件HSG-1-VW和HSG-03-VW对于切割Vectran最为合适。据该公司称,
这种切割机也能够用来作为切割含有Vectran的刚性复合层压板的高速电锯的替代物。
"我们发现Vectran通过传统方式非常难以切割, " HSGM公司总经理Stephan Herrmann表示, "但是, 由于这种纤维独特的热性质,
我们能够很快找到正确的加热器与刀片设计组合。把Vectran的热切割与芳族聚酸胺的热切割相比较, Vectran可以更容易的进行热切割，速度还快一点。"
"由于它的耐切割性和其它特征, Vectran纤维为想要使用高科技材料但又担心切割芳族聚酸胺出现问题的产品设计师和工程师提供了另一种选择。"
Kuraray美洲公司Vectran部门的国际营销经理Forrest Sloan博士指出。