High-precision carbon fiber square tubes and CarboSix UD carbon fiber pultruded profiles can meet the demand for lighter, harder and higher performance systems.
Refitech (Walwijk, The Netherlands) has expanded its range of RefiFLEX carbon fiber square tube structural solutions to now include 40 x 40 mm high-precision tubes with a standard length of 1,600 mm and the corresponding connector RefiFLEX 40S. In addition, Refitech stated that it can now provide CarboSix (Mondovi, Italy) unidirectional (UD) carbon fiber pultruded profiles to customers of the Benelux (Western European political and economic union). These profiles have integrated mounting slots, and various fixing materials can be used to tighten them instead of gluing them together to form a frame.
"We are seeing increasing demand for lightweight systems," said Bas Nijpels, a sales engineer at Refitech. "As a result, more and more mechanical engineers are starting to use our carbon fiber tubes and profiles. In addition to our successful 20, 25 and 30 mm RefiFLEX tubes, this in turn has led to an increase in the demand for larger size tubes. Compared with Like the small RefiFLEX comparator, the new 40 x 40 mm tube is smooth on the inside and outside, ensuring that the connector can be glued for a perfect fit. By combining different RefiFLEX elements, it is easy to build a lightweight frame suitable for various applications."
Nijpels pointed out that the RefiFLEX tube and connector series now includes 18 different shapes and sizes. In addition, Nijpel said that they continue to tackle construction challenges, including achieving high performance while reducing weight. Recent customer applications include large LED screen frames.
In addition, as a result of the cooperation agreement, Refitech has now added CarboSix's build system to its product portfolio. Unlike the multi-layer prepreg RefiFLEX system, CarboSix profiles are composed of UD carbon fiber pultruded profiles, making it an ideal choice for solutions that require high bending stiffness and low weight. Three available sizes include 90 x 90 mm, 90 x 45 mm and 45 x 45 mm, and have integrated mounting slots, so the profiles can be screwed together to form a frame.
"These profiles are used to make calibration frames or assembly fixtures in the automotive, mechanical engineering, and aerospace industries," Nijpel adds. "These carbon fiber frames and fixtures are lighter and stronger than metal frames. Compared with aluminum frames, the system can reduce weight by up to 70% with comparable strength and rigidity. The end user's advantage is not only high dimensional stability Performance and very low ergonomics load, but also more flexible adjustment or rearrangement of components according to needs in the production process."
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