Plastic Material News

Engineers Get New Options With Expanded Fluorosint Product Family for High Performance Seals and Wear Parts

Four Grades of Machinable Fluorosint® Enhanced PTFE Outperform Competitive Materials in the Market

Reading, PA, July 31, 2009 – Engineers and designers have long recognized the performance benefits associated with Quadrant’s venerable Fluorosint 500 and Fluorosint 207 enhanced PTFE materials.  Fluorosint 500 is widely used for seals, shrouds and bearings in the world’s most sophisticated rotating equipment.  FDA-compliant Fluorosint 207 is specified for seals, scrapers and wear surfaces in food processing and production equipment around the world.

The exciting additions to this product family are the “super” wear-resistant grade of Fluorosint HPV, now available in full production size ranges and the “extreme” grade of Fluorosint MT-01, new to the market.

Fluorosint HPV was first discussed in 2007 and offered only in developmental sizes and shapes.  This full launch brings with it a battery of data validating its performance advantage over many of the lower performing PTFE materials used today.  This testing found the bearing performance or “PV” of Fluorosint HPV to be more than 40% higher than other FDA compliant PTFE-based materials.  This results in parts that can withstand higher load and higher velocity.   In addition, the wear resistance or “K factor” was found to provide longer wear life than other existing FDA compliant PTFE-based materials.  Simply, parts machined from Fluorosint HPV last longer than those made from many of the filled-PTFE materials on the market today.  This testing was gen-erated in one of Quadrant’s own research laboratories using documented test procedures.  Fluorosint HPV is ideal for applications such as dynamic seals and bearings where lubrication isn’t preferred or possible.  Fluorosint HPV can replace bronze, steel and powdered metal parts and provide performance gains in wear life and system performance.

Fluorosint MT-01 is a unique material that combines higher temperature resistance with low de-formation and low CLTE (Coefficient of Linear Thermal Expansion).  This combination provides engineers with design options where the compliance of PTFE needs to be balanced with precise control – even at elevated temperatures.  Fluorosint MT-01 was developed for higher tempera-ture applications such as bearings, seals and wear surfaces where higher loads are present.  Ovens, dryers and linear positioning equipment exposed to elevated temperatures are all ideal applications for this ultra-performance grade.

 Quadrant offers these materials in a wide range of rods, sheets and tubular shapes for machining.  Formed parts are also possible.  To learn more about Fluorosint, visit Quadrant’s website at www.quadrantepp.com and download the brand new Fluorosint Family of Advanced PTFE Materials brochure.

About Quadrant EPP
Quadrant EPP's products range from UHMW polyethylene, nylon and acetal to ultra-high per-formance polymers that resist temperatures to over 800 °F (425 °C). The company’s products are used for machined parts in food processing and packaging, semiconductor manufacturing, aerospace, electronics, chemical processing, life sciences, power generation and diverse indus-trial equipment. Quadrant EPP’s products are supported by a global team of application devel-opment and technical service engineers.

Quadrant Announces Broader Size Range Available in Nylatron® NSM - Industry's Most Wear Resistant Machinable Nylon

Machinable Nylatron NSM Outlasts Them All – Now in More Sizes

July 31, 2009 - Reading, PA – Nylatron® NSM, the machinable nylon grade known for remarkable wear resistance is now available in a broader range of tubular shapes that can be more effectively machined into bearings, bushings and wear parts.  Quadrant has invested in manufacturing technology that helps machinists and ultimately users benefit from closer size blanks for machined nylon parts.  The tight economy has forced engineers and designers to look for smarter ways to reduce material costs and fabrica-tion time.  The technical team at Quadrant realized that the combination of the most wear resistant grade of PA6 – and more efficient parts making – was a very attractive package for today’s world.

Quadrant’s new capability allows for the production of tubular shapes up to 34” diame-ter, with even larger diameter tubes possible.  Wall cross section as thin as 1.0" are possible saving both material cost and machine time for thin wall parts.  These new tubes are available lengths of up to 39”.  Demand for this capability was a result of in-creasing use of Nylatron NSM for large bearing applications.  Nylatron NSM has 5 times wear life (K factor) than other “premium” cast nylon materials and allows for higher loads and speeds based on its LPV of 15,000.  Quadrant’s testing was done at many different combinations of pressure and velocity to demonstrate the flexibility of Nylatron NSM.

While building the case for this additional capacity, Quadrant found that other “premium” cast nylon materials demonstrated little or no increased performance over oil-filled grades.  This testing along with engineers search for greater value helped to bring the project to life.

Quadrant can utilize this new capacity to manufacture tubular shapes from Nylatron GSM (venerable MoS2-filled PA6), Nylatron GSM Blue and Nylatron LIG (oil-filled PA6) and Nylatron NSM (solid lubricant-filled PA6).  This broad offering and new, efficient production can meet the performance and processing demands of today’s equipment designers.

About Quadrant EPP

Quadrant EPP's products range from UHMW polyethylene, nylon and acetal to ultra-high per-formance polymers that resist temperatures to over 800 °F (425 °C). The company’s products are used for machined parts in food processing and packaging, semiconductor manufacturing, aerospace, electronics, chemical processing, life sciences, power generation and diverse indus-trial equipment. Quadrant EPP’s products are supported by a global team of application devel-opment and technical service engineers.

Full support in evaluating designs and production of parts is available from Quadrant Engineer-ing Plastic Products' Technical Support Group. Learn more about Quadrant at www.quadrantepp.com. 

Acetron, CleanStat, Duraspin, Duratron, Erta, Ertalyte, Ertalene, Ertalon, Extreme Materials, Fluorosint, Ketron, MC, Monocast, Nylatron, Nylasteel, Polypenco, Proteus, Sanalite, Semitron, Techtron, TIVAR and Vibratuf are registered trademarks of the Quadrant group of companies.

Elastocon® Develops Special Automotive TPE Grade - Resistant To Copper

July 30, 2009 - Rochester, IL - Elastocon® TPE Technologies, Inc., leading producer of a broad line of custom and standard thermoplastic elastomers, has developed a special new grade of TPE that is impervious to damage or degradation from copper and provides high flow properties for thin parts molding.

New Elastocon 8150B TPE, according to the formulator, is ideally suited for automotive and industrial applications where the product can be directly overmolded onto copper or be used in an application where the material might come into direct contact with residual copper dust created from friction or abrasion – an example would be an environment with electric motor brushes where the residue can cause plastics to degrade or sustain damage.  The new TPE grade eliminates this problem. 

Available in a 50 Shore A hardness and supplied for compounding or as read-to-use pellets in 1,000 quantities, either as concentrates for compounding or an compounds this newest addition to the Elastocon 8000 Series of TPEs (SEBS based) can be injection molded, extruded or blow molded and is formulated for less material usage during processing.  Pellets are provided in black.  As with other compounds in the 8000 Series, the new automotive grade can be overmolded onto polypropylene and other materials.

At the present time, Elastocon offers the 2800 Series and 8000 Series of TPEs, The SMR Series of TPOs, the STK Series for overmolding, and alloys, all of which can be injection molded, extruded, blow molded or compounded.   Elastocon thermoplastic elastomers do not require drying and are offered for applications that require rubber-like properties, impact resistance, colorability, a good surface finish, easy processability, reduced material usage and numerous other features and benefits.  All Elastocon grades are free from latex, and are RoHS and California Proposition 65 compliant, with many of the company offerings being FDA compliant, as well as UL and NSF approvable, and are suitable for medical applications.  Elastocon can provide ISO reporting for manufacturing and shipping.  All grades are reclaimable and recyclable.

For more information on the new Elastocon 8150B automotive grades, contact:  Marketing Department, Elastocon TPE Technologies, Inc., P.O. Box 463, Rochester, IL 62563.  Tel: 1-888-644-8732.  Fax: 217-498-8558.  E-mail: sales@elastocontpe.com.  Web: www.elastocontpe.com.

Pressure Indicating Sensor Film Prevents and Resolves Resin Transfer Molding Composite Processing Problems

July 17, 2009 - Madison, NJ (USA) – Resin Transfer Molded (RTM) composites are increasingly being produced with complex geometries that challenge the ability of engineers to maintain exacting tolerances. Preforms consisting of core materials such as honeycomb, foam and balsa must fill the complex mold uniformly to prevent defects that would otherwise occur during resin infiltration of the preform. 

Pressure indicating sensor film is used as a quality control method to correct and prevent defects that result if the preform does not uniformly fill the mold. The film is used to test the preform before the resin is injected so that any needed modifications to the preform may be made to prevent a bad part from being produced. When uniform pressure in the mold is achieved during testing with the pressure indicating film, the result is uniform resin flow and a good composite part. 

Pressurex® pressure indicating film from Sensor Products is an easy-to-use tool that reveals the distribution of surface contact pressures in cores, composite lay-ups and bonded surfaces.  After the fibrous preform is put into the mold, the film is placed on top of the preform and the mold is closed. Without injecting the resin, the mold is then opened and the pressure sensing film is inspected.  Areas of high and low pressure are immediately revealed by the film which instantaneously and permanently changes color directly proportional to the actual pressure.  The precise pressure magnitude is easily determined by comparing color variation results to a color correlation chart (conceptually similar to interpreting Litmus paper).

RTM., Vacuum Assisted RTM (VARTM) and Lite RTM composite parts that require variable part thicknesses are particularly aided by the sensor film, since attaining uniformity of fiber volume fraction is very difficult.  In regions of low pressure indication, the preform thickness can be enhanced, either with a thicker core material or inclusion of additional fiber.  Conversely, in regions of high pressure indication, either the core material can be made thinner, or less fiber can be included.

Pressurex® has a wide variety of uses in manufacturing process control and machine/component inspection.  Snapshot imaging results of the film can be used as a control to compare processes and tools, making it ideal for Six Sigma and other closely monitored high performance manufacturing operations.  Additional statistical and imaging pressure analysis of the exposed film is available, if desired, from Sensor Products Inc.

Pressurex® measures from 2 – 43,500 PSI (0.14 – 300 kg/cm2) and is available in several different pressure ranges.  The film is very thin (4 or 8 mils thick) and can be hand or laser-cut to any size or dimension.  It is flexible and conforms to curved surfaces. 

Coated on a Mylar sheet, the film is physically similar to a sheet of paper.  For a free sample, contact Sensor Products Inc. at 1.973.884.1755 (USA), email info@sensorprod.com or visit the website www.sensorprod.com/sample for the entire line of products and applications.

About Sensor Products Inc. (USA)
Headquartered in New Jersey and established in 1990, Sensor Products Inc. is a world leader in the manufacture and distribution of tactile pressure sensing solutions. Their customized and off-the-shelf products are installed within all of the Fortune 500 industrial companies as well as thousands of smaller manufacturing firms. Their sensors are used in applications as diverse as tire testing to semiconductor manufacturing and from R&D labs to space missions. Additionally, Sensor Products provides in-house and on-site stress and pressure mapping analysis, as well as a variety of regional technical seminars.

Labyrinth Seals of Torlon® PAI Offer Greater Reliability & Efficiency Than Aluminum in Centrifugal Compressors

Ultra-Performance Plastic Affords Tighter Operating Clearance Resulting in Higher Machine Output

July 30, 2009 - Alpharetta, Ga. – Turbo Components & Engineering Inc. (TCE), Houston, Texas, an after-market manufacturer of babbitted bearings and labyrinth seals, replaces traditional labyrinth seals made of aluminum with those made of Torlon® polyamide-imide (PAI) from Solvay Advanced Polymers, LLC. The ultra-performance plastic seals are said to offer greater reliability, increased efficiency, and longer run times over OEM-supplied aluminum seals in a range of centrifugal compressors for oil refining, chemical processing, and power generation markets.

“More and more companies are realizing the benefits of labyrinth seals made of PAI, especially the greater operating efficiencies,” noted Clark Maloney, TCE sales manager. Labyrinth seals are made of machined stock shapes of carbon powder-reinforced Torlon PAI resin from Quadrant Engineering Plastic Products Inc., Reading, Pa. They are non-galling and more forgiving than those made of aluminum for increased reliability during rotor contact, according to Maloney. In addition, they provide up to a 50 percent tighter operating clearance for reduced leakage and greater compressor efficiency. The rule of thumb is that efficiency gains of 0.5 percent per impeller can be realized, says Maloney. For a six-stage centrifugal compressor, that means an additional 3 percent of machine output.

Due to their excellent wear properties and deflection capability, labyrinth seals made of Torlon PAI can be used 2 to 3 times longer than aluminum. TCE buys Torlon PAI stock shapes up to 36 inches and manufactures seals up to 48-inch in diameter, utilizing special machining, fixtures, and tooling equipment, according to Maloney.

Torlon PAI provides the highest strength and stiffness of any thermoplastic up to 275 C (525 F), along with superior resistance to chemicals, creep, and wear for severe service environments. It meets the high-heat operating requirements of centrifugal compressors while also offering excellent friction/wear properties and dimensional stability. 

About Turbo Components & Engineering Inc.
Turbo Components & Engineering Inc., based in Houston, started operations in 1991 as a manufacturer of after-market fluid film bearings and labyrinth seals for all sizes of compressors and turbines in the petrochemical, refining, and power generation industries. More information is available at www.tce1.com. 

About Quadrant Engineering Plastic Products Inc.
Quadrant Engineering Plastics Products is a leading manufacturer and distributor of engineering plastic shapes and parts. The company’s products range from UHMW polyethylene, nylon, and acetal to ultra-high performance polymers that resist temperatures to over 800° F (425°C). They are used for machined parts in food processing and packaging, semiconductor manufacturing, aerospace, electronics, chemical processing, life sciences, power generation, and diverse industrial equipment. Quadrant EPP's products are supported by a global team of application development and technical service engineers. More information is available at www.quadrantepp.com.

About Solvay Advanced Polymers
Solvay Advanced Polymers, LLC produces more plastics with more performance than any other company in the world. This gives design engineers worldwide more ways to solve top design challenges in automotive, medical, electronics, aerospace and other demanding industries. Learn more at www.solvayadvancedpolymers.com.

Solvay is an international chemical and pharmaceutical Group with headquarters in Brussels. Its companies employ more than 28,000 people in 50 countries. In 2008, its consolidated sales amounted to EUR 9.5 billion, generated by its three sectors of activity: Plastics, Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals. Solvay (NYSE Euronext: SOLB.BE - Bloomberg: SOLB.BB - Reuters: SOLB.BR) is listed on the NYSE Euronext stock exchange in Brussels. Details are available at www.solvay.com.

Long Fiber Compound from RTP Company Adds Strength and Style to ATV Wheels

July 28, 2009 -- WINONA, MINNESOTA, USA -- HiPer Technology, Inc., Lawrence, Kan., a high-quality manufacturer of modular carbon fiber racing wheels for motor sport vehicles, has partnered with custom compounder RTP Company to upgrade their CF1 carbon fiber wheel rim for ATV sport riders. Long fiber compounds from RTP Company were used to strengthen the wheel's beadlock ring, which locks the tire bead onto the rim and helps prevent terrain damage.

"When we initially discussed re-designing the CF1 wheel, we wanted to find a replacement material with improved strength and colorability," said Tom Darnell, Founder and V.P. of Engineering at HiPer Technology. "Finding both qualities in a long fiber material proved difficult, but RTP Company provided us with a really great long fiber compound that vastly improved our product line. It's a tremendous benefit to our customers, because they're able to get a better product at the same price."

HiPer uses an RTP 200 H Series long glass fiber impact-modified nylon 6/6 compound for the beadlock ring. In addition to providing excellent stiffness, high compression strength, and class-A surface qualities, HiPer engineers required this material pass what they call their 'bounce test.'

"To ensure the material was tough enough to withstand real world abuse, it underwent an additional evaluation through our bounce test," explained Darnell. "The component is dropped onto concrete -- seven times -- from a height of 24 feet (7.3 meters). Long fiber materials typically cannot sustain even one drop, but the RTP Company compound passed all seven drops with flying colors."

HiPer also required the material to be colorable, adding styling that allows the wheel to match the ATV. "We had trouble coming up with a material that was both colorable and still tough enough to withstand terrain abuse," said Darnell. "We finally found our solution with RTP Company -- their compound is 25% stronger than previous materials, easily moldable, and gives us sharp, vibrant color that we couldn't find from any other supplier. It's just phenomenal."

For more information on RTP Company's long fiber and custom engineered thermoplastics compounds, call (800) 433-4787 or (507) 454-6900, or visit their website at www.rtpcompany.com.

SolidVision Announces Partnership with Solido to Bring the Most Affordable 3D Prototyping to Engineering and 3D Design Markets

New 3D Printer Reduces Time to Market for Engineering and Design Firms

Littleton, MA, July 27^th ,2009- SolidVision, a  premier CAD software and service provider, today announced its partnership with Solido to bring Solido’s most cost efficient and flexible 3D desktop prototype printer to its broad base of CAD users.

Solido's new 3d printer provides an exciting tool, enabling  engineering and design firms, technical schools, and university engineering programs to be faster, more functional and competitive in the product design and education fields.

The SD300 Pro 3D printer allows users to build in-house designs directly from their CAD data by layering, cutting, and gluing engineered plastic sheets to the required specifications down to the finest detail. “This product makes in-house 3D model building available and affordable to markets where ownership was previously cost prohibitive,” says Eldad Sayada, Senior Vice President WW Distribution & Channels of Solido. “We are providing a unique opportunity to the mechanical engineers, in the very early steps of the design that allows designers and engineers to evaluate products and catch design flaws much earlier in the product development process- and well within their budget. The partnership with SolidVision, which has the knowledge and experience to position our products’ benefits as part of a total tailored solution, is a major achievement for us, and we look forward to promoting our mutual interests to the market” Sayada concluded.

Suited for all stages of production, the SD300 Pro enables users to produce detailed, functional parts right at their workstations with accuracy to within 0.1 mm. Parts can be drilled, finished and assembled to produce larger models without outsourcing, and with little to no workshop time. It requires minimal training to use, and avoids the hazardous dissolved waste inherent in some high-end 3D prototype printers, which makes it a safer alternative for workers, students, and the environment.

Solido’s SD300 Pro 3D printer is available through SoldVision to markets in its service area. “Until now, an affordable 3D printer has not been within reach of some markets we serve,” said Mark Sears, President of SolidVision, “It’s a reliable, functional, affordable resource that enables mid-range and small design and engineering as well as manufacturing firms to produce prototypes and products faster, cheaper and more easily than ever imagined. I believe that we finally have the opportunity to bring 3D Printing to every engineer’s desktop, just as SolidWorks® did for 3D Mechanical CAD.” Interested parties can visit SolidVision’s website to view the free video, and determine dates for open house and information sessions.

About Solido

Solido is an industry leader in the development of model building technologies that utilize rigid plastic materials and require no post-build curing. Solido’s SD300 Pro 3D Printer is a network compatible peripheral that can be operated and maintained without the need for dedicated personnel, enabling desktop prototype production for CAD software users worldwide.For more information on Solido and its revolutionary products, please visit www.solid3d.com.

About SolidVision
SolidVision is a comprehensive engineering solutions provider that offers the computer aided design (CAD) industry’s premier resources to engineers, designers, and college engineering programs. The company provides the most logical and practical peripheral and CAD software solutions and services to help SolidWorks, as well as other CAD users everywhere surpass their design goals and expectations. For more information on SolidVision and its portfolio of products and services, please visit the company’s website: www.solidvision.com, or contact SolidVision at info@solidvision.com.

Stanyl® ForTii™ for Solid State Disk Drives High Speed Serial Advanced Technology Attachment 6Gb/s

July 23, 2009 - Evansville, IN. - Solid State Disk Drives (SDDs) are currently experiencing strong market growth as they contribute to higher data reliability, lower weight and noise, faster access times and power reduction. Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) and Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) are set to be the dominant interfaces to interconnect SDDs to e.g. Notebooks or the strongly growing Netbooks. In these applications, Stanyl® ForTii™ provides an excellent halogen free, flame retardant solution.

Among the unique properties of halogen-free V-0 Stanyl ForTii are high strength before and after reflow process, which leads to significantly higher pin retention values than for LCPs, an outstanding toughness and stiffness, and proven lower corrosion on molding equipment compared with competitive PPAs. Stanyl ForTii is also the material of choice for hard disk or hybrid drives and can be used both on the device and PCB side.

Molex
For its latest range of SAS and SATA connectors, Molex, a leading supplier of interconnect products, was looking for a halogen-free (HF) insulation material that would meet the material requirements for SMT technology. As part of its halogen free material selection, the company successfully tested the F11 grade of Stanyl ForTii for its latest high speed SATA connector with a speed of 6Gb/s, because it offered the highest pin retention forces, as well as a range of key processing and performance benefits.

Stanyl ForTii extends the DSM portfolio of high performance engineering thermoplastics. Stanyl ForTii offers a step-change with a balance of properties to meet today’s need for smart innovation. Stanyl ForTii extends the application range of current Stanyl products and helps customers to achieve higher performance in their applications and meet current and upcoming requirements of OEMs, supporting green initiatives such as lead free soldering and improved fuel economy.

John McMullan, Global Key Account Manager Molex at DSM Engineering Plastics Americas says: ”Stanyl ForTii meets market trends for miniaturization and convergence of electronic devices like cell phones and computers. It is suitable for connectors and sockets in these applications because of its dimensional stability and compatibility in lead free surface mount assembly processes.”

Siang-Hock Quah, Regional Manager South East Asia at DSM Engineering Plastics says: “Stanyl ForTii gives customers like Molex new design and material choices. Based on years of molding and application experience, we are glad to see a material which is so balanced and can be used for so many different applications. Together with our strong capability in Computer Aided Design and intense application support, ForTii enables customers to realize first time design rights and boost time to market. In specific in the current conversion to halogen free, we see customers trialing various materials with repeated adjustments in the processing. Stanyl ForTii can help to save valuable time.”

Recently, DSM Engineering Plastics has announced that, in order to meet high market demand, the company will significantly expand production capacity of Stanyl ForTii.

Velozzi Unveils the “SOLO” Crossover

The SOLO will be a lightweight plug-in hybrid electric crossover with an on-board multi fuel micro turbine battery charger manufactured for the global market.

July 22, 2009 - Los Angeles, Calif. - Velozzi proudly releases the much anticipated image of its crossover. The SOLO.

The SOLO has been designed to be the most environmentally efficient, lightweight, luxurious, and attractive car of today. Some of the Velozzi vehicles’ main attributes and benefits are their modularity and light weighting capabilities capitalizing on new ways to manufacture vehicles. Most of the new EV/Hybrid electric vehicles being built today are using the same type of construction as in the past. “It is inconceivable and counter productive to manufacture efficient vehicles using antiquated types of construction. To make an efficient, environmentally friendly vehicle one must utilize lightweight materials to improve MPG, reduce pollution and increase safety,” indicates Velozzi CEO, Roberto Velozzi. The Velozzi vehicles are being designed and developed to take advantage of the modularity that lightweight materials can provide. Modularity and the usage of lightweight materials allow for easier assembly and reduction of manufacturing cost, bringing the savings to the consumer. Velozzi will be using innovative materials that allow the designer the freedom to create its vision without being limited by traditional automotive materials.  In addition, the Velozzi vehicles will be the first production cars to utilize carbon fiber nano tubes in their construction. Carbon Nano tubes can increase the mechanical properties of the components by 40%, improving the parts’ performance while reducing weight. Most of the materials applied in the Velozzi cars construction are reusable, which decreases the Velozzi vehicles carbon footprint.

Velozzi is known in the auto industry for its beautiful designs, but it is not satisfied with just this fact. Velozzi is building more efficient, affordable and safer vehicles. Velozzi brings this passion to market with the Solo. In today’s world, a car is an extension of the end user life style and it is important for Velozzi to provide its costumers with a vehicle of which they can be proud. Luxury is a must in the Velozzi vehicles. Velozzi will work with its team members to create a most exquisite interior to match the exterior styling of the Solo.

The SOLO, while spacious like an SUV, will have the performance of a sedan. Velozzi was born from racing and as such, brings Formula 1 technology and know-how to build its crossover to reach a level of performance comparable only to high-end exotic vehicles.

The Velozzi super car and the SOLO will be in the first production cars in the world to use a multi fuel micro turbine battery charger to re-charge their bed of super capacitors and Lithium ion batteries. A brief description of the Velozzi vehicle technology is as follows.  The Velozzi cars are Plug-in Multi fuel Hybrid Electric vehicles. The vehicles are true electric cars in nature and are powered by a combination of lithium ion batteries and super capacitors, which in turn, are recharged by an on-board multi fuel micro turbine battery charger   or by the electrical grid.  Some of the fuels that could be used by the Velozzi vehicles include gasoline, diesel, ethanol, methanol, butanol, biodiesel and natural gas to mentioned a few. The vehicles will also have the ability to reverse its polarity and serve as a power generator, able to power equipment and even a home if necessary. Regenerative braking will capture kinetic energy when slowing the vehicles improving its range.  Embedded computers, operating transparently to the user, will control all functions. The driving experience will be identical to a gas power vehicle. The SOLO will reach 100 MPG, 0 to 60 MPH in the 6 Sec and top speed of 130 MPH.

To accomplish this lofty goal, Velozzi has assembled a world-class team of scientists, designers and car builders. In addition, top OEM tier-one suppliers have joined Velozzi in its efforts. The idea is to engage and involve the suppliers early on, from the concept-design stage. Velozzi has 17 global OEM suppliers as part of its incredible accomplished team to help build the Velozzi super car and the most anticipated crossover, The SOLO.  This list of talented companies will be shared with the public via press releases in the near future. See their website (www.velozzi.org) for a partial list of OEM suppliers.

Velozzi is setting up to start mass production of its cars by late 2011 – early 2012. We are actively pursing investments and governmental assistance to build the cars of tomorrow, today. Join the Velozzi green revolution.

Argotec Restructures TPU Film Business

Greenfield, MA, USA — July 22, 2009 — Argotec, Inc., of Greenfield, Massachusetts, USA, today announced the restructuring of its thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU/PU) business.  President and chief executive officer, Bruce Wilby, stated, “Rather than focusing just on products we can make and market, we are concentrating on better matching our film extrusion capabilities, technical expertise and resources with the applications of our customers – strength to strength.” 

Polyurethane film is typically used in applications where vinyl or other lower priced polymers cannot meet the customer’s performance specifications.  “Our customers recognize Argotec as providing the cleanest, highest quality TPU films available in the industry today,” Mr. Wilby stated.  “They frequently come to us looking for solutions to design challenges that commodity film producers often say are next to impossible,” declared Mr. Wilby. “But that’s our bread and butter.  It has been since the company was founded in 1988.” 

“First,” he explained, “our plastics engineers interact closely with the customer’s design engineers to develop a film with the physical properties and surface finish characteristics needed to meet the parameters of the application.   Then,” Mr. Wilby continued, “our engineers are made available to work with the production engineers at the customer’s location to ensure that our films perform properly in their fabrication and manufacturing processes.”  

Steve Wolkenbreit, co-founder and co-chairman, added: “From the beginning it has been our philosophy to listen to the customer, stay focused on problem solving, and keep technical service as the number one priority.  That hasn’t changed.  What has changed is the way we integrate groups of like products and resources.  This allows us to better approach customer challenges from an application-oriented perspective structured around our six primary markets.”   Each has its own brand, literature and self-contained sections on the company’s web site, www.argotec.com, subdivided as follows:

ArgoBond™

Optical interlayer films and edge seal tapes for laminated glass applications

ArgoGuard™

Tough, weatherable, high gloss aliphatic films for paint and metal protection

ArgoMed™

Viral barrier films with antimicrobial infection control technology for medical devices and wound dressing applications

ArgoGraph™

Printable, conformable, high-gloss overlaminate films for graphics applications

ArgoFlex™

Textile laminating films for bonding fabric layers together, air and water containment, and waterproofing applications

OmniFlex™

Waterproof-breathable films with antibacterial odor-control technology for performance apparel and footwear applications

In addition, Argotec also packages its complete offering of polyurethane film & sheet under the ArgoThane™ brand for unique applications requiring a high degree of customization, but which are not necessarily linked to one of the core markets listed above.

Further describing this new configuration, Mr. Wilby explained that Argotec asked its customers and development partners what they needed most in a film supplier.  “Their answer was clear,” he stated.  “They wanted a partner willing to invest the time and resources to help make them successful.  We feel,” he went on,” that the investments we have made in capital equipment, facilities and people, along with restructuring our business in a way that allows us to more effectively focus those resources on solving the customers’ design and production challenges, is a clear answer to that call.”

Argotec is a privately held company that extrudes custom-engineered, high-performance, polyurethane film and sheet in thicknesses ranging from 0.2 to 125 mils, and in widths up to 86 inches.  In addition to flat-die, cast-on-carrier and blown-film-extrusion technologies, the company also has expertise in extrusion coating, multi-layer constructions, and closed-cell polyurethane foam sheet extrusion.  Argotec sells its products globally, primarily to glass laminators, adhesive coaters, plastics converters and fabricators, textile laminators, as well as directly to finished goods manufacturers.