Mammoth machine press arrives in London tomorrow

The all-important piece critical to the Fraunhofer Project Centre for Composite Research (FPC) (https://www.eng.uwo.ca/fraunhofer/) delivering groundbreaking advancements in the ever-growing field of composite materials will arrive in London tomorrow (Tuesday, July 10th.)  And it’s one big piece.

The Compress Plus 2500T press (https://communications.uwo.ca/media/fraunhofer/Compress_Plus_022012_EN.PDF), built by Dieffenbacher North America Inc. (https://www.dieffenbacher.de/en/dieffenbacher-group/group-forming-division/dieffenbacher-north-america-canada.html) in Tecumseh, Ont., is an industry scale machine press which features high production output, serviceability and energy efficiency.

The press weighs more than 100 tonnes – a figure that equals the approximate weight of 20 full-grown African bull elephants.

FPC, established in 2011, is a joint initiative between Western University and Fraunhofer ICT, which focuses on applied research in the fields of methods, materials and manufacturing technologies for composite materials. Open for collaboration with all companies, FPC projects are strongly focused on industry needs; application oriented and mainly directed by industry.

Media are invited to visit FPC at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, July 10th to watch the installation of Compress Plus 2500T.

The address for FPC is 2520 Advanced Ave, London, Ont. From the intersection of Bradley Avenue and Veterans Memorial Parkway, head east on Bradley Avenue approx. 200m. From there, turn left onto Bonder Road and then the second left onto Boyd Court.

Safety boots with steel caps, long pants and hard hats are required for those wishing to enter FPC. Spare hard hats are available on site.