Allied Signal Plastics (Haasrode Research Park, B-3001 Heverlee), a leading producer of polyamide 6 resins, PET resins and specialty films, supports its European customers through the services of a complete design engineering service, called Modulus. Originally introduced in and operated from the US, Modulus now has European headquarters in Brussels, where it works in close partnership with Allied Signal Plastics customers throughout all stages of product development. By being involved from the outset, Modulus can ensure that the best materials are selected for the application, and that product design gives maximum benefit to both the converter and the end-user. According to Alan Dubin, Modulus Manager of Design Engineering for Europe, the aim is to work with customers from the early conceptual stage of the design process, up through final production. Using an IBM RS 6000 engineering work station with CAEDS, Pro-Engineer, ANSYS, and Moldflow, model files are either created or translated to the system from the customer's own CAD files or drawings.

"In this way", says Dubin "we can provide a full analysis package, including finite element stress analysis, polymer flow, and shrinkage/warpage analysis, all designed to define the product's performance, both during processing and in end-use". Modulus has already worked successfully with Black & Decker to ensure that power tool housings would meet the major structural requirement of passing a 2-metre drop impact test onto a concrete floor without breakage. Unit load stress analysis and warpage studies were also carried out enabling Black & Decker to manufacture a product that worked virtually from the start.

READER SERVICE: Press releases Allied Signal on "Modulus", with further details (German): PIE-No. 34818.