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ESPOR® Mould
"Ceiling Ornament" for polyurethane foam forming |
Pattern
Ceiling Ornament |
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| Applications |
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The most common application of ESPOR® technology
is to manufacture air-permeable moulds for vacuum
forming and thermoforming processes for various interior
components in automobiles, in the packaging industry
and many other market-segments. ESPOR® is also used
to produce vacuum holding fixtures and air cushion
systems for material handling applications.
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| Specific
Advantages |
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ESPOR® is used for creation of difficult
to machine shapes, making cast multiples, as well
as production of large and deep objects. ESPOR
is especially useful for duplication of complex
textures such as leather grain and other intricate
patterns. |
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Mould showing different textures |
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| Material |
ESPOR® products
are made from a composite material of aluminium granules
and epoxy resin. Different sizes of aluminium granules
are available, thus enabling production of products
with varied levels of air-permeability. It is also
possible to incorporate metal cooling lines within
the ESPOR® products.
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| Process
and Pattern Requirements |
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ESPOR® technology requires a physical pattern
in order to cast a reverse impression. The pattern
for ESPOR® casting technology must be completely rigid.
Materials such as wood, epoxy and metals are acceptable.
Solid patterns produced by various Rapid Prototyping
machines can also be used. Flexible materials such
as silicones cannot be used, and thin wall rigid
materials may need to be reinforced in order to sustain
the forces of the process. The pattern must have
a minimum draft angle of 2° in order to facilitate
de-moulding. The process cannot tolerate even minor
undercuts in the pattern. In cases where a textured
surface is applied onto a pattern, a low-strength
adhesive must be used to insure that the texture
can be separated from the pattern during de-moulding.
ESPOR® materials do not exhibit a detectable shrinkage,
so the pattern does not require any scaling. |
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| ESPOR® is
a registered trademark of Portec in Switzerland. |
