UD Automated
A new thermoplastic UD start-up with focus on carbon Tape.
UD Automated
A new thermoplastic UD start-up with focus on carbon Tape.
About UD Automated
Composite veteran
UD Automated B.V. (UDA) is the newest venture of Dutch composite veteran Rinus Prins and partners, located in IJsselmuiden, Netherlands. UDA has developed new innovative technology delivering excellent spreading of fibres as well as impregnation. The process is robust without unforeseen stops, delivering an economic tape solution without compromising quality.
New innovative technology
The UDA production method is based on a direct melt impregnation technique, where the polymer is fed to the impregnation unit by an extruder, fully capable of formulating a wide variety of polymer blend and compounds. The fibres, before meeting the polymer melt, are spread with a new controlled high tension method. The impregnation method is unique and forms the heart of the new technology.
Cost reduction and mass production
Thermoplastics allow for a much faster line speeds compared to thermosets, UDA’s new impregnation technology allows for even greater productivity not compromising quality. UDA is building its first production machine currently, delivering 300 mm wide tape. The technology allows for future doubling or quadrupling of tape width, while maintaining quality. UDA’s new technology delivers the ultimate cost efficiency while maintaining quality.
Markets for thermoplastic UD Tape
UDA will market its tape under the EPATII brand and will aim markets using highly automated processes and higher demand, maximizing the full benefits of UDA’s thermoplastic tapes.
Examples of these processes are lamination in combination with molding processes or tape winding, amongst others. Markets are automotive, oil and gas, such as hydrogen storage or extruded profile reinforcement.
Rinus Prins
Half a century ago, Rinus started to work with composites designing and building sailing yachts. Later he moved into wind turbine blades followed by extruded profiles. Up to that point all activities had been with thermosetting materials. This changed with the the development of High Pressure Fibre Impregnation Technology for thermoplastic UD Tapes and the founding of FRT Tapes. FRT was successful with Ford for the Transit Bulkhead and the development of the Audi A8 eTron battery protection plate, reinforced with multilayer HPFIT tape. In 2022 FRT tapes sold its glass technology and production machines to the Turkish Ozer group, who are now supplying Polytec and Audi, who won an innovation award at JEC2023 for this project.
The Ultimated UD
Products
EPATII™ CPVC TAPE is a UD carbon reinforced, thermoplastic based, composite material, produced using UDA’s proprietary technology, delivering optimal fiber impregnation. EPATII™ CPVC TAPE is compatible with PVC and can be used to locally strengthen PVC profiles and lift overall performance to a level of aluminium at half the weight .
EPATII™ CPA TAPE is a UD carbon reinforced PA6 based composite material, produced using UDA’s proprietary technology, delivering optimal fibre impregnation. EPATII™ CPA can be used in winding applications for hydrogen tanks, amongst other applications.
UDA’s process shows great flexibility in the use of fibre and thermoplastic. Feel free to contact us to tailor EPATII™ tape to your needs.
Technology
UD Automated uses an innovative new proprietary direct melt process. This process is very robust, flexible and fast, without the usual impregnation flaws. As a result EPATII™ Tape is cost competitive without compromising properties.
EPATII™ Tape is produced on a 120 mm weight and can be slit to a desire width by specialized companies, such as this example.
Technology
UD Automated uses an innovative new proprietary direct melt process. This process is very robust, flexible and fast, without the usual impregnation flaws. As a result EPATII™ Tape is cost competitive without compromising properties.
EPATII™ Tape is produced on a 120 mm weight and can be slit to a desire width by specialized companies, such as this example.
Markets & Processing Technologies
Energy
Storing liquids and gases under pressure, traditionally happens in metal tanks. Converting to wound composite tanks, not only has weight advantages or corrosion benefits, it is also the safer solution. Failure of composite pressurized tanks is far less catastrophic as the metal solution, reducing the risk of explosions as well as injury due shrapnel, to a minimum. EPATIÏ™ carbon based tape offers the possibility to store gases at high pressure including hydrogen.
Metal on-shore and off shore pipe, to transport oils and gases are expensive to install and expensive to maintain. The maximum length is defined by the truck transporting the pipe, creating a labor intensive installation and the need for for many connectors, with the corresponding increased risk of leaks. Composite pipe, produced by winding EPATII™ tape around a thermoplastic liner, offers an easy to install and low maintenance alternative. In addition, composite pipes based on EPATII™ Tape are often spoolable, allowing long lengths to be installed with a minimum number of connectors. In addition to the installation advantages, corrosion resistance is another big advantage of composite pipe solutions over metal. Over a 10y service, EPATII™ Tape based composite pipe systems offer a 33% cost saving over traditional steel.
Automotive Transportation & Aerospace
A significant share of global CO2 emissions are direclty related to cars and transportation. Weight saving is one of the most effective solutions to drive CO2 emissions down. EPATII™ tapes offers ultimate lightweight without compromising strength.
Weight saving goals can be achieved by replacing metal in by EPATII™ Tape based laminates and panels. Flat lightweight panels based.
OTHER markets where EPATII TM Tapes can be used are business machines, sporting goods and defense amongst others.
Processing technologies
1. Panel manufacturing by lamination
2. Tank Manufacturing by Winding
3. PIPE solutions by winding
4. Laminate solutions
Markets & Processing Technologies
Energy
Storing liquids and gases under pressure, traditionally happens in metal tanks. Converting to wound composite tanks, not only has weight advantages or corrosion benefits, it is also the safer solution. Failure of composite pressurized tanks is far less catastrophic as the metal solution, reducing the risk of explosions as well as injury due shrapnel, to a minimum. EPATIÏ™ carbon based tape offers the possibility to store gases at high pressure including hydrogen.
Metal on-shore and off shore pipe, to transport oils and gases are expensive to install and expensive to maintain. The maximum length is defined by the truck transporting the pipe, creating a labor intensive installation and the need for for many connectors, with the corresponding increased risk of leaks. Composite pipe, produced by winding EPATII™ tape around a thermoplastic liner, offers an easy to install and low maintenance alternative. In addition, composite pipes based on EPATII™ Tape are often spoolable, allowing long lengths to be installed with a minimum number of connectors. In addition to the installation advantages, corrosion resistance is another big advantage of composite pipe solutions over metal. Over a 10y service, EPATII™ Tape based composite pipe systems offer a 33% cost saving over traditional steel.
Automotive Transportation & Aerospace
A significant share of global CO2 emissions are direclty related to cars and transportation. Weight saving is one of the most effective solutions to drive CO2 emissions down. EPATII™ tapes offers ultimate lightweight without compromising strength.
Weight saving goals can be achieved by replacing metal in by EPATII™ Tape based laminates and panels. Flat lightweight panels based.
OTHER markets where EPATII TM Tapes can be used are business machines, sporting goods and defense amongst others.
Processing technologies
1. Panel manufacturing by lamination
2. Tank Manufacturing by Winding
3. PIPE solutions by winding
4. Laminate solutions