Feb. 6, 2015 -- In 2013, Toro Wastewater Equipment Industries -- a European manufacturer of equipment for industrial and urban wastewater treatment, water processing, water reuse, and sludge handling -- decided to incorporate composites into the manufacturing of its patented bolted water storage tank, W-Tank®,and turned to Magnum Venus Products (MVP) and its distributor MVP-España to learn more about the flex molding process.
The ability to build a reusable silicone membrane on Toro's existing mold was a major benefit, along with the integrated injection system and accessories that would allow it to infuse a part that was 8 by 3 meters. Working with MVP's RTM/Infusion Technical Specialist Charles Tur, Toro was able to construct its first reusable membrane in one day and start production with it the next day.
The success of the first venture prompted Toro to once again contact MVP as well as Indemat, a company specializing in research and development for engineering materials, to verify if it could take on a larger challenge: a 12 by 3 meter (36 m2) part using a reusable silicone membrane for manufacture a larger W-Tank.
Unlike other reusable membrane building processes, the flex molding process was designed to make the membranes as strong and thin as possible, while still reducing the "stretch" that can occur over time. By using a technical cloth in the building process, less silicone is needed, overall membrane weight is significantly reduced, and the membrane retains its shape for a greater period of time. This is especially important when working with very large membranes.
Toro Equipment once again teamed up with MVP and Indemat to manufacture the new membrane that is only 3-mm thick. Without the technical cloth incorporated into the membrane, it would have had to build the thickness up to 5 mm, making the membrane significantly more heavy and approximately 40-percent more expensive to make.
The new membrane is now in production and producing multiple parts per day. Toro Equipment has plans to work with MVP and Indemat on even larger parts, requiring some creative solutions.
See also:
"Toro Equipment introduces new line of DAF equipment"
"Filter presses: Toro Equipment"
About Toro Equipment
Toro Equipment is a European company specialized in the design and manufacture of equipment for industrial and urban wastewater treatment, water processing, water reuse, and sludge treatment. The company offers customers advanced water treatment solutions, based on more than 20 years' experience in the design and manufacture of equipment, as well as commissioning. It offers custom solutions for both the private and public sectors and has supplied equipment to more than 45 countries worldwide, with international markets accounting for more than 70 percent of sales. For more information, visit www.toroequipment.com.
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