Along with many other variables affecting thermoforming output, the selection of plug assist material is critical. While syntactic foam is widely recognized as an ideal plug material, the choice of which specific grade to use is often left to “whatever we used last time.” Base level epoxy syntactic foams provide a great starting point into […]
Common problems encountered in the cut sheet thermoforming process include thin spots, webbing, crowning and plug/pusher mark off. Syntactic foam can be used in various ways with both positive and negative tooling to alleviate these issues. Syntactic plugs result in improved material distribution leading to opportunities for down-gauging. Compared to other common plug/pusher materials such as wood and […]
The performance of a new class of copolymer syntactic foam (HYTAC-FLX and HYTAC-FLXT) was evaluated and compared to an engineered solid polymer (PEEK) and the industry’s leading thermoplastic syntactic foam (HYTAC-B1X) for use as a plug assist when forming transparent polypropylene (PP). These new copolymer syntactic foams have been designed to minimize scratching and improve […]
Though syntactic foam is most widely recognized for top performance as a plug assist or pusher inside a mold, a recent study found high performance when used as a mold. Andrew Sneeringer, a recent graduate of Pennsylvania College of Technology in Williamsport, PA, compared the performance of MDF board to HYTAC-C, a unique syntactic foam resin system […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 8, 2013 – Attleboro, MA CMT Materials announced today that Conor Carlin has joined the firm as International Sales Manager. “I am looking forward to working with the team at CMT, a company that is deservedly recognized as a leader in its field.” Carlin, who worked for a decade in thermoforming machinery […]
Attleboro, MA – April 16, 2013 CMT Materials, Inc. Awarded Grant for Continuous Improvement Program CMT Materials, Inc. has been awarded a grant to implement a Continuous Improvement through Lean Manufacturing program. The funds support training over a two-year period in an ongoing effort to improve products, services and processes. The firm, which designs and […]
HYTAC®-XTL is the first material to combine the machined surface quality of an epoxy syntactic with the durability and dust free machining of a thermoplastic syntactic foam. Thermoformers and toolmakers report excellent performance when using XTL for plug assist. HYTAC®-XTL was developed to offer an improved surface quality after machining when compared to our popular HYTAC-B1X. […]
A question that we get asked a lot is, “What type of syntactic plug material should I use for my application?” Like most things in thermoforming, the answer is, “It depends.” However, we recognize that thermoformers and toolmakers want some degree of certainty when choosing plug materials. That’s why we have created a selector guide […]
Machining syntactic foam is not like machining other materials such as wood, aluminum or plastic. That’s why we have created guides to help toolmakers and thermoformers select the right tools and the right geometry for machining and cutting HYTAC® syntactic foams from CMT. Properly machined, HYTAC® materials generally require minimal extra polish or surface preparation. […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CMT Materials, Inc. To Expand in Europe with New Facility in Netherlands May 14, 2013 – Attleboro, MA CMT Materials, Inc. will open a new location in The Netherlands this year. The new facility will include full inventory, sales and customer service personnel, and cut-to-size services. “By setting up a physical presence […]