Curve Works uses reconfigurable tools, or adaptive moulds, to create curved shapes from 3D drawings with a high surface quality, fast and efficiently.
The digitally adjustable surface is a pin-bed mechanism with a rubber interpolation layer on top, allowing a smooth curved surface.
The process from 3D drawing to shaped mould takes less than 4 minutes.
Our reconfigurable moulds are built to our specifications by Adapa A/S, a game changer in tooling.
We worked together with Adapa to achieve mould systems that is perfectly suited to process a broad range of composite materials. A laser projection system mounted above the mould allows us to define the part net-shape for trimming.
The reconfigurable mould technology also allows us to develop new processing techniques that would otherwise not be possible.
The following specifications apply to the adaptive moulds:
Temperature range: | Thermoform/cure materials up to 180oC |
Accuracy: | Singly curved and shallow doubly curved shapes within ±1mm, complex doubly surfaces within ±2mm. |
Geometric constraints: | The minimum radius of curvature for single curved shapes is 250mm, which means that shapes having a similar of larger curvature will fulfill the criteria for moulding. The minimum radius of curvature increases for doubly curved shapes and is dependent on the complexity of the product. |
| Panel size: | Typically up to 3.60 x 1.56 m. Larger sizes are also possible depending on shape. |
With our processing equipment, we shape the following materials:
We use close-mould processes which are safer and more pleasant for our employees and the environment.