British machinery manufacturer Cygnet Texkimp has created a thermoplastic research cell to develop the next generation of high tech materials including carbon fibre and composites for the international aerospace, automotive and oil and gas industries.

New materials and techniques

The production-scale testing line is housed in a secure facility at Cygnet Texkimp’s UK headquarters in Cheshire, and is said to be one of only a handful in the world that can manufacture PEEK (Poly-ether-ether-ketone) and PEK (Poly-ether-ketone) – high tech materials typically used to make engine parts for the aerospace and automotive markets.

“There are very few places in the world that offer this sort of dedicated facility,” explained Cygnet Texkimp’s technical director, Luke Vardy.

“The trial line enables composites manufacturers to develop new materials and processing techniques offline in an IP-secure area, using production-scale machines without first needing to make large investments in technology.”

Capabilities

The line is capable of running thermoplastic and thermoset resin systems up to 450°c in a number of line configurations. It has multiple unwinds and rewinds that that can be configured to feed films and foils onto a primary membrane, web or fabric. It also incorporates a press, which can be used to manufacture small parts and shallow components, the company reports.

Cygnet Texkimp will be participating in the ITMA 2015 international textile machinery trade fair that starts in Milan this week, where the company will demonstrate its expertise and provide information about its latest developments.

Independent specialist

Texkimp was founded in 1974 and is currently an independent specialist creel designer and manufacturer. A family-owned business concentrates solely on the production of creels and related accessories for the handling, unwinding, tensioning and guiding of all types of yarns, tapes and fibres from package to process.

Cygnet Texkimp is part of Cygnet Group, an expanding specialist engineering group with expertise in designing, developing, manufacturing and selling engineered products into niche global markets.

www.cygnet-texkimp.com