Overview
Designed to be efficient, green, and low cost, Vistex's Pressure Focusing Layer - PFL™ - technology can produce autoclave quality (or better) components in a fraction of the time and at a fraction of the cost.
Vistex’s process, through the use of the customized Pressure Focusing Layer™ (PFL™) achieves the uniform pressure and uniform temperature required to make a composite by a much more efficient approach as compared to autoclaving. A formed uncured composite is sandwiched between a temperature controlled rigid mold, the curing mold, the PFL™, and a rigid compression mold. The PFL™ thickness and geometry varies across the composite as determined using Vistex’s proprietary modeling and optimization. This variation ensures that when the mold set is in compression the composite undergoes uniform pressurization. The process is compatible with essentially any thermoset resin system on the market, or can process a range of thermoplastics.
Vistex's Process
Computational Modeling & Optimization
Fabrication of Pressure Focusing Layer™ & Molds
Composite Product
Brain Icon by Sergey Patutin from the Noun Project
Pressure Focusing Layer™ Hardware
Pressure Focusing Layer™:
Computationally modeled and optimized to provide uniform pressure across the composite. Also eliminates the need for intensive vacuum bagging operations.
Preformed Composite:
Nearly any thermoset resin system, many thermoplastics, and any fiber reinforcement are compatible with the process.
Curing Mold:
Designed and engineered using computational modeling to provide uniform temperature across the composite.
Compression Mold:
Rigid mold that in conjunction with the PFL provides uniform pressure across the composite.