Breakthrough in Carbon Fiber Technology Adds Jobs in Michigan
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For The Auto Channel
Wixom, MI July 29, 2008: A patented Carbon Fiber process breakthrough is allowing Plasan Carbon Composites (PCC) to promise mass production of affordable carbon fiber parts for base vehicles, not just exotic sports cars.
Cutting part development time from 90 minutes to 17 minutes allows Plasan to produce thousands of parts. That’s led to the opening of an all-new facility in Walker, in Western Michigan, which will create over 200 jobs by the end of this year
Both the new manufacturing location and year old Research, Development and Sales facility in Wixom are supported by incentives from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and by respective local government arms.
Plasan Carbon Composites president James Staargaard says the developmental breakthrough brings the cost of carbon fiber to within plastic and lightweight steel costs but cuts weight by over 50 percent. “With the 54 mile-per-gallon fuel standard announced,” Staargaard said, “we can help manufacturers reduce weight and keep or increase structural integrity of vehicles.”
Working with Globe manufacturing, Plasan has developed an oven-mold, curing process which cuts individual carbon fiber parts making to under 17 minutes, with a goal of 2 minutes or less within three-years.
While the parent Plasan Group an aerospace and defense industry supplier or armor protection and survivability systems, Plasan Carbon Composites is dedicated to the Global Automotive market.
Staargaard said, “We believe that our technological advances mean that carbon composites can be used. in a much broader range of vehicles.”
The latest production breakthrough was accomplished in 10 months at the new PCC research and development center in Wixom.
Staargaard said they have the capability of 30,000 to 50,0000 part production now and anticipate that growing to 100,000 units in the near future.