Lightweighting has been a key trend for some time in the automotive sector and this even extends to the two-wheeler segment as evidenced by a 30% carbon fiber reinforced polyamide (PA) 66 motorcycle engine cover being molded at the Toshiba Machine Co. (Tokyo) stand at the recent IPF show in Japan.

The reinforced PA part weighed in at 130 g versus 263 g for an aluminum piece. The plastic cover was even lighter than its magnesium alternative, while tensile strength of 250 MPa was on a par or better.

This high part strength has much to do with the processing solution offered by Toshiba. The 100-tonne EC100SX-2AP all-electric unit employs a plunger system in which carbon fiber filament is fed to the material feed screw and dispersed prior to injection via the plunger, "The carbon fibers measure approximately 7-8 mm prior to passing through the injection nozzle," estimates Toshiba advisor Hideo Tanaka. "While the exact extent depends on the shape of the gate and the mold contours, much of this length would be retained in the final part and contribute to reinforcing," he notes.-[email protected]