CONVERTING CONVENTIONAL MECHANICAL STAMPING PRESSES TO FABRICATE THERMOSET AND THERMOPLASTIC SHEET MOULDING COMPOUND

Mold clamping forces are commonly generated by hydraulic, mechanical, or some combination of hydraulic and mechanical methods. The characteristics of vertical hydraulic and mechanical molding machines are discussed and a description of molding two automotive parts in vertical mechanically driven modified metalworking presses is given. Both parts involved were of Fiber Glass Reinforced Plastic (FGRP) material with one part of Thermosetting Sheet Molding Compound (SMC) and the other of a Thermoplastic sheet. The mechanically driven metalworking presses involved were of the type commonly found in automotive stamping plants.