Despatch has specialized in thermal processing for over 100 years. Thermal processing of
materials is a critical step in manufacturing quality products. The world’s top manufacturers rely
on Despatch for curing, drying and heat treating a wide variety of materials including polymers,
composites, rubber, textiles, ceramics and aluminum.
Despatch manufactures large batch ovens and conveyor ovens for complex, high-volume
production – ovens that deliver consistent, reliable results.
Composite Curing Ovens and Systems
Vacuum bagging ovens can also be used for post-curing.
Vacuum Bag Curing – Temperatures up to 650°F ±5°F (343°C ±2.5°C). In this curing
operation, parts are placed in a bag and a vacuum is pulled to remove bubbles and form the
composite material to the desired shape.
Despatch offers complete vacuum
bagging systems with up to 24 vacuum
ports. Jack panels allow you to connect
as many thermocouples as needed for
monitoring the curing process. Mold
preparation, including preheating, drying
and cleaning processes can also
be provided.
A control system is available to fully
control your vacuum bagging process. A
PC software package is utilized to record
all the necessary information relating to
your thermocouples, vacuum
transducers, temperatures, Hi-limits,
user access and all related alarms.
This system allows full control and as
sures parts are reliable and cured
to specification.
Post-Curing – Temperatures for post-curing applications are typically up to 650°F ±5°F
(343°C ±2.5°C). Post-curing exposes a part or mold to elevated temperatures to speed up the
curing process and maximize some of the material’s physical properties, properly aligning the
polymer’s molecules and improving strength and temperature resistance.
Resin Curing – Non vacuum bag curing application for a variety of fiber reinforced thermoset
composite parts at 500°F±10°F (260°C ±5°C)
Paint Drying – Curing of primer and top coats on composite parts.
Edge Curing – Curing sealants on composite parts to strengthen the edges after
cutting operations.
Repair Curing – Used to cure resin in composite repairing application.
Despatch ovens provide uniflow airflow which delivers heated air from both sides of the
chamber for uniform operating temperatures. The air moves horizontally and vertically through
the work chamber to be reheated and recirculated through the system. For parts and molds
with unique heat transfer requirements, Despatch can work with you to design an airflow that is
best suited to provide the fastest, most uniform heat-up time.
Aluminum and Industrial Materials
Despatch is a proven supplier of solution heat treat furnace
systems. These furnace systems are designed for heat
treating and aging large and small batches of aluminum parts,
including: wheels, castings, thin-wall aerospace components
and aluminum suspension and engine components. Typically
the furnace systems include a bottom-load furnace with glycol
and/or water only quench tanks, water rinse tanks, load cars
and work racks. Despatch also offers chiller systems to cool
the quenchant solution for customers processing thin-walled
aerospace components as well as heated quenchant systems
for processing thicker walled items such as castings. Our
solution heat treat systems meet all applicable aerospace and
automotive specifications, including AMS-2750
and AMS 2770.
Polymers
Despatch manufactures a variety of ovens for heat treating polymer materials such as:
thermoset plastics, adhesives, paints and powder coats, rubber and many others.
Common applications involving polymers include:
• Annealing – removes stresses and increases material strength
• Curing - helps materials to cross-link and retain
defect-free characteristics
• Drying – provides a faster liquid removal from
the material
• Hardening – increases the strength of the material for better
resistance to wear
Despatch specializes in developing custom ovens and process solutions that speed
production and improve product quality.
Carbon Fiber
Despatch’s modified LAC oven allows carbon
fiber manufacturers to splice fiber strands
together to keep fiber running continuously
through the production line.
Despatch has over 40 years of experience
as the industry’s leading provider of carbon
fiber manufacturing equipment and process
technology solutions. Manufacturers have
utilized our high-performance oxidation
technology to produce the best quality and
most uniform fiber, at the lowest cost. In the
carbon fiber market, we offer everything
from fully integrated carbon fiber
manufacturing lines, to small benchtop fiber
splicing ovens.
For detailed information on our carbon fiber
products and technologies, click here.