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Composite Products Incorporated of Winona, MN recently launched production of a floor cleaner base for Nilfisk Advance, North America – a commercial and industrial floor cleaning products company. This particular application required development of a material that was ductile enough to withstand the impact of a fall from a work-truck, yet strong enough to support multiple drive motors, an agitator brush and the rest of the floor cleaner (total weight of the finished product is approximately 100 pounds). Nilfisk-Advance realized savings of approximately $55 per unit by utilizing CPI’s Advantageâ direct in-line (compounding) transfer-compression molding process. In addition to improved material strength, CPI was able to achieve a flame retardant rating, which allowed the base to serve as an electrical enclosure. Other benefits of CPI’s process included an improved surface finish (compared to the previous structural foam and steel base), the ability to tap or thread fasteners into the base material without the need for molded-in inserts, and the design ability to mold in deep ribs to create a noise silencing maze.
After compounding and molding a variety of materials, the customer settled on a polypropylene co-polymer with 10% long-fiber glass reinforcement. In addition, the material includes flame retardant additives to achieve a UL-94 V0 rating, colorant additives for an “industrial grey” appearance, and a smooth surface finish.
Established in 1989, Composite Products, Inc. has been producing parts for automotive, furniture, recreational, agricultural and various industrial applications. CPI also licenses its technology both domestically and internationally.
For more information about Composite Products, Inc. – please visit CPI’s website at www.compositeproducts.com or contact Scott Ledebuhr (V.P. of Sales and Engineering) at (507) 452-2881.
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