Table Of Contents
This episode features a discussion with:
- Role: R & D at Technicon
- Drinking: Espresso
- Basics: Oversees research and development for Technicon, which is one of Modus Advanced, Inc.’ core suppliers.
- Role: Sales Manager.
- Drinking: Water (not beer or whiskey)
- Basics: Sales manager for Technicon, providing custom manufacturing of noise and thermal solutions for large, industrial OEMs.
- Role: President of Modus Advanced, Inc.
- Drinking: Coffee (not a bloody mary)
- Basics: The boss projects that make components for large OEMs.
- Role: Marketing at Modus Advanced, Inc.
- Drinking: A gallon of water
- Basics: Facilitator.
The team from Technicon joined this chat to showcase some of their featured products and share how they’re great alternatives for common materials in the Rail & Mass Transit industry. Here is the detail of their conversation and how these products work.
Innovation With Polyester Fiber:
Acoustic and thermal insulation is required in all kinds of applications. Traditional, fiber materials have worked but had plenty of drawbacks, including that they have low fire-resistance.
One goal: Create an improved product that has similar or superior benefits for the consumer while also having LOWER flame, smoke, and toxicity.
The mission: 10-15 years ago, Technicon started testing alternative products that had promising qualities. With one in particular, the pros started to stand out. This material had better dimensional stability and addressed the downfalls of other fiber products.
Challenges: Any product needed to meet the UL94HF1 standard.
Essential criteria: The developed product needed to self-extinguish and not drip. Ideally, lower smoke production and toxicity would be achieved.
The solution: For years, the team at Technicon has been investigating alternatives to polyurethane foam for acoustic and thermal insulation and for composites. The big one in the mass transit market is the PFO91, the polyester fiber product that they’ve developed. It’s been successfully tested to the E162 and E662 standards and bombardier smoke standard for toxicity.
The tests have proven that not only does this viable alternative not produce dense smoke, but it also doesn’t produce toxic smoke either.
In the real world: Customers are now using this product in various applications.
Benefits: Now that the product is being utilized, the real-world application is proving that it has additional benefits, which include:
- Equal or superior acoustic performance
- Wicking and drainage
- Not degrading due to moisture, humidity, UV light or temperature
- Competitive or cost-saving price
- Not susceptible to moisture build-up even with temperature swings
- Applicable for a wide variety of industries and environments
- Can tune density to localized noise sources
These features stand out when placed against traditional urethane foams or melamine foam (treated for water resistance).
Tech/Heat Shield Product:
Passenger comfort and electronic component protection. Without this, there are contact issues, UL issues, and labeling problems. A product was needed to address that issue.
One goal: Address hot spots in a strategic and effective way for OEMs.
The mission: Develop a shield that works in varied contexts, including for compressors, exhaust pipes, and turbochargers.
Challenges: Surfaces, plastic-sensitive components, electronics/computers, and wiring are all sensitive to temperature issues.
The solution: The TSO40 is an eighth inch thick, fire retardant, thermally insulating radiant heat shielding product.
In the real world: One primary customer for this product is a specialty appliance manufacturer. This item is now being used in a wide variety of ways and to the benefit of numerous companies. It can be used on HVAC compressors, in vehicles, and even as a fire-barrier on top of seats and under carpets. Because it can function as a patch, it can be placed in close proximity to the hot spot, making a previously dangerous surface cool enough to touch.
Benefits: This product has taken off because it provides the right benefits
- It is a textile product with a cushioning effect
- Extremely fire-resistant
- Lightweight
- Versatile
- Flexible
- Peel and stick adhesive
- Easily fabricated
- Easy to install
- Can be customized in shape and size
- 100% pre-consumer waste
Because this product is so thin, it takes up hardly any space on a piece of equipment. There aren’t many clearances required for installation and it only needs a minimal air gap.
Tech/Heat Sleeve Shield Products:
Power gen and mass transit companies face temperature control issues with pipes and tubes. As these parts conduct gases, they face the threat of overheating or being a hazard. Solutions exist but haven’t been improved in a long time. Now, there are better materials that will get the job done more effectively
One goal: Improve upon existing technology using modern materials.
The mission: Create a sleek and efficient thermal wrap alternative.
Challenges: Insulating tubes need to serve two purposes: to keep the touch temperature low and the exhaust gases internally hot.
Essential criteria: Needed to meet tier 4 engine regulations for emissions, especially for diesel-particulate filtration.
The solution: The patent-pending product is a braided sleeve. The elegant configuration means that different wraps don’t have to be purchased for every diameter on every machine.
In the real world: Customers who used traditional thermal wraps now use this braided sleeve to keep touch temperature down and align with the highest safety standards.
Benefits: This innovation is paying off. Customers are finding immense benefits to this creative alternative:
- No custom sewing
- Fewer options for a better price
- Improved function
- Streamlined design
- Accommodates various bends without customization
- Multipurpose across equipment models
- Easy to install
This product works for all kinds of engine manufacturers. OEMs are beginning to approve this product, finding that it is the right solution that meets the need for superior construction.
Technicon is leading the way in innovative developments like these. Go here to contact them.
Modus Advanced, Inc. continues to tap this level of talent as it brings the best products to market. Contact us to learn more.