Worldwide first: a laptop cover completely made out of composites

2009-06-16

RocTool and Performance Materials Corporation (PMC) have launched a composite innovation for the Laptop computer market. This is the first time a complete laptop cover has been made using composites; this is thanks to the advanced technology and the partnership between RocTool and PMC who have signed an exclusive production license agreement for computer components; as unveiled during the end of March 2009.

RocTool’s Cage System® technology is unique world wide, it heats and cools the mold surface, and only the surface practically instantly. In association with PMC’s CFRT® (Continuous Fiber Reinforced Thermoplastic) Materials, RocTool is today able to manufacture “a one shot” laptop cover integrating all these details. This is a considerable technological advance for the sector of consumer electronics: until now these parts have been made using plastic injection or magnesium. The use of CFRT® material allows to produce thinner parts and reduce the parts from 15 to 20% compared to magnesium!

The weight of a laptop computer is of utmost importance for ongoing sales. The composite thermoplastic parts produced, have an excellent surface quality and offers a superior impact resistance. « The cycle time to produce a laptop cover is approximately 2 minutes », explains Alex Guichard, CEO of RocTool. « This extremely short cycle opens a new market for the composites industry. With regards to laptop computers, there is now a performance enhancement and weight reduction, combining PMC’s expertise we are the only company able to offer this ».

Light-weight, competitive prices, the combination of RocTool & PMC allows composites to be introduced into a new sector/industry. This is the first time these materials have been used completely for this type of application, with a superior surface quality compared to what is currently in use (magnesium or plastic).

For Tom Smith, (CEO) from PMC, the conclusions from these comparable studies with magnesium, are extremely favourable towards thermoplastic composites: “The Cage System® technology provides a critical missing link in making high volume, complex CFRT® parts,” states, Thomas Smith. He notes that this combination of technologies extends beyond replacing magnesium covers for computers to other applications where thin wall, high detail is required including closed section shapes as well. Mr. Smith says, “These technologies provide for advanced composite performance approaching the detail and speed of injection molding. The processes are also amenable to a high level of automation.”

Since its creation in 2000, RocTool develops innovative processes for rapid material molding. Winner on two occasions of the JEC Composites Awards, the company has sold ten patented licenses of its induction heating technology, the Cage System®, predominantly for Composite applications of medium to large series. Introduced onto the Stock Market at the beginning of 2008, on “Nyse Euronext Marché Libre” in Paris. RocTool’s headquarters and R&D centre are situated at Savoie Technolac in Le Bourget du Lac (France) an office in Atlanta (USA) and another in Tokyo (Japan).

Founded in 1986, Performance Materials Corporation (PMC) is an innovative developer and vertically integrated manufacturer of CFRT® composite materials, components, and solutions. Our company provides a wide range of products to the recreational, medical, automotive, aerospace, and industrial markets. With locations world-wide, PMC has high volume CFRT® composite manufacturing capabilities. Last year, PMC manufactured over 15 million components.