Direct Compounding/Molding
Composite Products, Inc. (CPI, Winona, MN) is a leader in direct, in-line compounding and molding of long-fiber thermoplastic composite materials. CPI supplies Ford Motor Co. with a molded running board for the F-250/350 truck using the direct compounding process. The all-composite running board replaces 43 components in the orginal metal running board and weighs half as much, according to CPI.
The company says that its compression transfer molding and in-line compounding hardware systems provided the only long-fiber solution to Ford's requirements for weight and cost reduction without sacrificing strength or appearance. The in-line system is said to reduce costs by 30% to 50% vs. pre-compounded long-glass pellets or glass-mat reinforced sheet.
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