Umeco Structural materials (Warwickshire, UK) has developed two composite-based solutions for the rail sector that promise to slash processing time and part weight. They will be on display at the InnoTrans Rail Exhibition in Berlin, Germany, between September 18 and 21, 2012.
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Above: Umeco BPS240 format 1 rail-demonstrator panel. Below: Standback manufactured using Umeco MTM82S glass/epoxy prepregs. |
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Umeco is also exhibiting a range of parts made using its MTM 82S-C glass/phenolic prepreg, which was used successfully by Ipeco Composites (Clevedon, UK) to make standbacks for Bombardier Transportation's Class 379 Electrostar EMU Passenger Trains. National Express, the train operator, is benefiting from reduced in-service operation and maintenance costs brought about through a significant weight saving and the robust nature of prepreg composite parts. At only 6.4 kg per unit, the standbacks provide a 40% reduction over a typical 10.5-kg wet lay-up structure. -[email protected]