As loom frame stiffening in textile machines

For this specific application, carbon profiles are used for the reinforcement of aluminium frames (heald frames) in textile machines. They are long aluminium extrusion profiles incorporated in the textile machines. These profiles have a large span and the accuracy of movement and speed are extremely high. By gluing carbon stiffeners to these extrusion profiles, bending is considerably reduced. This increased stiffness results in higher production speeds and higher accuracy.

By means of this “hybrid” choice of material, the advantages of both materials are put to full use. The carbon profile will only be glued locally on the section which can contribute best to stiffness: on the extreme fibres of the structural element, far from the neutral line. The aluminium base profile allows complex design and can be easily incorporated and assembled using conventional methods, such as drilling, screwing and milling.

Other applications in mechanical engineering

In addition, there are numerous derived applications for other types of machines which can benefit from the advantages of glass fibre or carbon profiles. The emphasis is always on fast movements with a high accuracy of movement, for example the needles in knitting machines, components of packaging and measuring machines or components of printers and photocopiers.