SMTC has introduced Dynatech?, the worldwide first thermoplastic sandwich panel system, suitable for mass-production designated for aircraft and high-speed train interiors, which functions in an all-in-one system and is ready to be formed.

Making the announcement on March 12th, 2014, at JEC in Paris, the official launch of Dynatech products, SMTC stated that it is developed specifically for the use in applications that require light weight in combination with high performance such as damage tolerance and superior fire, smoke and toxicity (FST) values.

Due to its thermoplastic nature as a ready-to-be formed sandwich system for mass production, Dynatech can be used for the manufacturing of various complex shaped parts in the interior of aircrafts and trains, like seats, luggage - or overhead-bins, side-walls, trolleys, galleys, tables, bars or doors, to just quote some of them. Based on a PEI in-situ foamed panel, it also offers better thermic and acoustic isolation compared to traditional honeycomb based on thermoset panels, which will in the end also contribute to the traveller?s comfort.

In acquiring this innovation for Dynatech, from inventor and patent-holder FITS Technology, SMTC, who was formerly focused on producing aluminium-based honeycomb systems, now invests and upgrades in a completely new thermoplastic mass-market-technology. AMAC representing FITS for the commercialization has made this cooperation possible.

This close partnership between all 3 parties involved, from the inventor (FITS) over the business developer (AMAC) to the production and marketing (SMTC) is a good example of a fast and efficient business case, from the invention over the market access to the production technology.

Christophe Jenny, CEO of SMTC explains: "With Dynatech, we proactively made a major investment in mass-production with high repeatability in order to better serve our customer?s needs regarding significant weight savings, better mechanical properties, lower total system costs and recyclability. We see ourselves as a carrier for solutions that fulfil the society?s needs and thus are happy to contribute to the reduction of CO2 emission and to the performance of mass transport and the comfort and accessibility of its passengers. Mr Jenny explains further that "the revolution of Dynatech consists in a radically new way of making sandwich panels, based on full thermoplastic PEI material, which can be in a second operation formed into various shapes and wide range edges options."

Dynatech's unique automated production furthermore guarantees higher quality standards and control possibilities which is highly appreciated by the OEMs. Due to the patented closed-box procedure, this system allows for sophisticated design of the edge close-out which actually becomes the strongest part of the system. In that way, Dynatech can provide a total system cost reduction of up to 20-30%, beside the weight reduction of 20-40%.

In both steadily growing end-markets, aircraft and high-speed train, safety, weight and space-saving become more stringent with the immediate result that the demand for performance is growing. Dynatech can help generate new design opportunities for that the aircraft and train builders can use thinner layers of sandwich material, which will ultimately lead to more space for the travellers. Its unique heat resistance properties make Dynatech a highly desirable and long-lasting material to be used for the interior.

Martin de Groot, CEO of FITS Technology and inventor of the process, reveals what gave him the idea of this invention: "My goal was to achieve a maximum weight reduction for improving the ecological footprint of aircrafts. In comparison with traditional sandwich systems, Dynatech is much less labour-intense through its automated processing. Dynatech now allows for extremely short cycle times for pressing of only a few minutes and it outperforms the traditional material also in offering a manufacturing time of maximum 30 seconds per edge." Mr de Groot continues: "I am very proud that thanks to AMAC, who handled the trade with SMTC, Dynatech will now go for mass production and my life work will be achieved."

The production of pilots has already started, qualifications are running and the first customers have received prototypes. The full commercial production will be ready in 2016.

Michael Effing, Founder and CEO of AMAC GmbH, explains: "0It is a big pleasure for me to drive innovation and this is an excellent achievement for the development of the overall thermoplastics trend in the industry. Dynatech? panels, with their feature of being suitable for automated mass-production, will certainly contribute to the further market growth of highwage-countries in Europe, like Germany and France."