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Making Thermoplastic Composites
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Newsletter - July 2024
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Enjoy reading TPAC's news on thermoplastic composites research and development from your mailbox!
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In addition, you can always follow the latest of TPAC on:
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SAMPE Benelux at TPAC
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This year's SAMPE Benelux spring meeting was hosted at TPAC on the 5th of June. This event featured interesting speakers from amongst others Solico Engineering, Cato Composites, SPIRAL RTC, CompTape, KU Leuven, and TPAC.
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The presentations were followed by a lab tour through the facilities and various demonstrations.
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We look back at a very interesting event and would like to thank all the speakers and participants.
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We are happy to introduce to you our new colleagues: Erik Krämer and Yannick Buser!
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Erik Krämer
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"After spending eight years in various roles at the ThermoPlastic Composites Research Center (TPRC), I felt it was time to take a more practical approach. This led me to join the TPAC as an Associate Professor last April, where I focus on program management and advancing thermoplastic composite material processing. I have a background in mechanical engineering and hold a PhD in thermoplastic composites. My passion for composite
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materials ignited during my time as a mechanical engineer with Solar Team Twente, where we successfully built the world’s lightest full-size solar-powered vehicle. I am excited to collaborate with industry partners to develop cost-effective and sustainable thermoplastic composite applications, and to contribute to the education in composite materials."
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Yannick Buser
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"I joined TPAC at the beginning of June as a Senior Research Associate, following the near completion of my PhD research at the University of Twente and the ThermoPlastic Composites Research Center (TPRC). My work there focused on the joining of thermoplastic composites through induction welding. I had the desire however to pursue my interest regarding the recycling and sustainability of thermoplastic composites, and TPAC offered a
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fantastic opportunity to deepen both my understanding and that of the industry on this topic. Moreover, being part of Saxion University of Applied Sciences will allow me to develop new skills in education, which I have always aspired to. I am excited to collaborate with the enthusiastic team of dedicated colleagues, as well as with the various companies in the manufacturing industry associated with TPAC."
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Kick-off: Next Thermoplastic Composite Manufacturing Solutions
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In April the kick-off took place of the Lighthouse 1 project as part of the Interreg “Manufacturing Next Materials”. Here, TPAC and CATO are working together on the production of thermoplastic composite applications. This collaboration is set up to specifically help SMEs with the conversion and professionalization of the manufacturability of these applications.
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Fibre reinforced prostheses pass the test
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In the Twente region, an ecosystem focused on medical 3D printing has developed over the past few years. Researchers from Saxion University of Applied Sciences collaborate with the Medisch Spectrum Twente, Ziekenhuisgroep Twente, Roessingh Rehabilitation Center, OCON, and various (commercial) partners. Within this ecosystem, 3D printing is used to create preoperative models, cutting guides, and simple medical devices, among other things. TPAC has recently contributed to the development of 3D-printed prostheses that are locally ...
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The project is investigating the possibility of using lignin and cellulose for 3D printing. With only these two materials it turned out not to be possible to print properly. Therefore, the bio-based polymer PLA (from corn starch) was used as a binder. The PLA is essential to get enough material into the flow for controlled extrusion.
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In other experiments it has surprisingly been shown that lignin and cellulose from wood fiber can be pressed into a plate or other shape. High pressure and high temperature are required to get cellulosic fibres into a matrix of lignin which result in mechanical properties comparable to HPL ....
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Students design NS luggage racks using technology developed by TPAC
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A multidisciplinary group of Saxion students was given the task last semester to investigate market-driven opportunities for the application of thermoplastic technologies developed by TPAC. TPAC has been working for over 10 years on developing cost-efficient production technologies for thermoplastic composite products. We are noticing that more and more companies are eager to transition to thermoplastic composite materials due to …
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