Hapco, Inc. is a leader in the tooling and foundry industry, providing technology-driven solutions for innovative epoxy coatings, epoxy potting, and epoxy encapsulation applications. Our composites are designed to provide superior performance in various temperatures and operating conditions. We offer epoxy formulations that meet the highest standards for toughness, abrasion resistance, adhesion, thermal conductivity, and chemical stability.
We also provide high-performance elastomeric formulations for foundries that offer superior protection against wear and tear caused by temperature changes or contact with harsh chemicals.
Our products adhere to strict safety standards and formulations made especially for specific tooling and foundry applications. Hapco, Inc is dedicated to providing long-lasting solutions that meet or exceed expectations and maximize performance.
What is Tooling?
Tooling is the process of designing and engineering the tools that are necessary to manufacture parts or components. In other words, tooling involves creating the necessary hardware to produce a particular product. This can include a wide range of tools, such as molds, dies, fixtures, jigs, gauges, and cutting tools, among others. Tooling is a critical aspect of manufacturing as it directly influences efficiency, cost, quality, and production capacity.
Tooling Applications Where Epoxy or Urethane is Beneficial
Patterns and Core Boxes
Hybrid elastomers are commonly used for creating patterns and core boxes in the foundry industry. They offer several distinct benefits that make them ideal for these applications:
- Versatility: Urethanes can be formulated to exhibit a wide range of properties, from flexible to rigid. This versatility allows for the creation of complex patterns and core boxes that may not be achievable with other materials.
- Durability: Urethanes are highly durable and exhibit excellent resistance to wear, abrasion, and aging. This makes them ideal for producing patterns and core boxes that can withstand the rigorous demands of the casting process.
- Dimensional Stability: Urethanes have excellent dimensional stability, which means they maintain their shape and size under varying conditions. This is crucial in pattern and core box production, where precise dimensions are critical for ensuring the accuracy of the final cast part.
- Thermal Resistance: Urethanes have good thermal resistance, which is important in the casting process where high temperatures are often involved.
- Cost-effectiveness: While the initial cost of urethane might be higher than some other materials, its longevity and durability can make it more cost-effective in the long run. Patterns and core boxes made from urethanes typically have a longer lifespan, resulting in lower replacement costs.
- Ease of Machining: Urethane is relatively easy to machine and finish, making it easier to create intricate patterns and core boxes.
Overall, the use of urethanes in patterns and core boxes contributes to efficient, high-quality, and cost-effective casting operations.
Vacuum/Pressure Forming
In the production of composite tools, vacuum/pressure forming applications often utilize epoxy formulations. This method guarantees potent bond strengths and precise positioning of components within the tool.
One critical consideration when choosing a suitable epoxy formulation for this procedure is the adhesive’s curing temperature range. For vacuum/pressure forming processes, high-temperature curing formulations are a necessity, given their ability to endure the increased thermal stress imposed on the tool. Metal fillers, including aluminum and steel, are frequently utilized in vacuum forming tooling, primarily because of their effective thermal conductivity.
Benefits of using flexible and semi-rigid urethanes for tooling and foundry applications
Flexible and semi-rigid urethanes offer a wide range of benefits for tooling and foundry applications.
- They can be used to manufacture molds, patterns, dies, jigs, prototype parts, forming tools, fixture components, and many other industrial parts.
- They offer superior mechanical properties compared to traditional metal alloys. This makes them an ideal choice for complex components that require dimensional accuracy and strength.
- Urethanes also have excellent thermal insulation properties, so they maintain their shape even under extreme temperatures. They are applicable in hot environments such as high-temperature foundries or pressurized die-casting machines.
Hapco’s flexible and semi-rigid urethanes for tooling and foundry
Hapco’s flexible and semi-rigid urethanes are designed to meet the demands of various tooling and foundry applications. Our products are formulated to provide superior physical properties such as flexibility, toughness, impact strength, abrasion resistance, and chemical resistance. Our comprehensive line of elastomeric urethanes include the following:
- HAPFLEX™ 500 SERIES
- HAPFLEX™ 600 SERIES
- HAPFLEX™ 700/800 SERIES
- HAPFLEX™ 1000 SERIES
We offer a variety of solutions that can be adapted to meet specific customer requirements. From prototype parts for testing and development to production tooling, Hapco’s urethanes provide superior performance in various processing conditions. For more information about our products, contact us or request a quote today!
