Clever carbon construction solution

Refitech Composite Components launched a clever new solution for temporary structures. With the introduction of the RefiFLEX connectors with a 'clicker', the company's round carbon tubes do not have to be glued but rather click together, allowing for constructions to be easily disassembled.

 

"It can be compared with the system used in tent poles," says Bas Nijpels, Sales Engineer at Refitech. "This makes it the perfect solution for temporary structures in which weight plays a major role. Possible uses are festivals, trade fairs and other short-term events, but also photographers or film crews, who often have to take a lot of material with them and could do with less weight to carry. Further it is an easy introduction for people who start with carbon constructions to work with the material, without having to start with glue immediately."

 

Extension RefiFLEX square tube range

Refitech has also expanded its online offering of square tubes at www.Carbonwebshop.com with five new sizes: 28x14x800mm, 35x35x440mm, 50x50x890mm, 60x60x440mm and 120x90x800mm. In addition to the tubes already available in its range, Refitech clients frequently asked for additional sizes that the company started to develop extra types, also in shorter lengths. This fits nicely with Refitech's objective of further growing its Carbon web shop with accessible and affordable carbon solutions for manufacturing and engineering.

 

 

Customized wall thickness

In addition to its standard tubes, Refitech can now also supply tubes with a customized wall thickness, for example if the standard thickness has insufficient rigidity or strength. With its long time experience and completely standardized manufacturing process, it can produce an inexpensive customized tube for its customers which can be ordered individually, without the need for a prototype or mold investment. 

 

 

Improved connectors

Refitech has also optimized the design of the RefiFLEX connectors. Thanks to the improved fit, frames can now be assembled more easily, quickly and precisely. It has also further improved the glue chamber, which also makes gluing the tubes easier. The connector now fits several types of carbon tubes, both prepreg and pull-winding types. With more complex and joined frames  this saves a considerable amount of time, especially when using multiple connectors.  

 

Compared to metal constructions, weight savings of up to 75% can be achieved with the RefiFLEX round and square tubes. In addition, carbon composite has a high intrinsic rigidity and is not prone to permanent deformation or metal fatigue. The material is also chemically resistant and very dimensionally stable. Moreover metals and carbon have a significant difference in thermal conductivity; where for steel this is about 50 W/mK, for carbon composites this is only 0.6 W/mK.

 

Refitech specializes in engineering and producing industrial composite components. The company was founded in 1989 and provides composite solutions for several markets including industrial automation, UAV systems, medical equipment and marine systems. Services comprise composites engineering, prototyping, series production, including parts and components assembly, and CNC milling, while Refitech’s standard tubes and connectors can be purchased directly online. In addition to its headquarters in Waalwijk, the Netherlands, Refitech has its own production facilities in Ningbo, China.