Weiss Gallenkamp secure first Microwave Oven order

Composites and microwave technology come together through the first UK order secured by Weiss Gallenkamp for a Hephaistos Microwave Oven. TWI Ltd in receiving this novel equipment are only the second organisation in the world to have such a facility. Hephaistos is a new microwave oven and represents the first time that the advantages of microwave technology have been successfully developed to an industrially mature, high technology level. The unique nature of the hexagonal shaped oven together with the control systems enables us to produce a homogenous microwave field inside the oven, which produces high quality structures in far less time compared to conventional heating techniques. There is no need to rotate the product as is done in a domestic microwave oven. Benefits of the Hephaistos technology include: Significantly reduced cycle time as there is no need to heat the total oven - Hephaistos only heats the product Savings in running costs due to shorter heating and cooling times Improvements in product quality due to homogenous heating Ability to use metallic tooling Such benefits will, in the long term, reduce cycle times and hence the cost of manufacture and help microwave technology to become the future of the composites industry. The purchase of the Hephaistos is part funded by the One NorthEast Regional Development Agency and the European Regional Development Fund, who are keen to promote innovation and technology in the region. It will be housed at the Low Carbon Energy Manufacturing Technology Centre (LCE-MTC) which is located in TWI's Middlesbrough Facility. Using their previous knowledge in microwave cure of adhesives, TWI will be introducing microwave technology to the composites and polymer industry, providing information in the form of lectures on the equipment, taking on projects, advising how to best use it and applying the new technology, thus demonstrating the benefits and making industry more successful. TWI is one of the world's foremost independent research and technology organisations, and delivers value to its members through research, consultancy and training services in welding and joining, engineering, NDT inspection, materials, surfacing, and lifecycle integrity, and is highly respected for its expertise, professionalism and independence. Their headquarters are at Cambridge, UK and they also have global offices in Asia, the Middle East and the Americas. TWI has over 2200 members in over 60 countries, including some of the most influential companies in the world such as BP, ExxonMobil, BAE Systems, Shell and the Ministry of Defence. TWI have a long history of invention and innovation, working across all industry sectors and are experts in all aspects of materials joining and related technologies. For further information, please contact james.walton@weiss-gallenkamp.com or TWI at composites@twi.co.uk

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