The development of Finite Element Analysis (FEA) design techniques specifically tailored by Dotmar EPP for application to plastic materials has not simply improved the application of plastics, but strikingly broadened the scope of engineered applications. Using sophisticated solid and shell mesh FEA techniques, our company is able to verify that a proposed design, manufactured from any number of plastic materials, will be able to perform to the client's specifications prior to manufacturing or construction.
At Dotmar, we have embraced this new technology-based paradigm to unlock the engineering potential of plastics. Proprietary FEA techniques enable us very quickly, to quantify, test and refine the optimum material and design combinations required for specific applications. |
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| Using FEA, plastics can be engineered such that long-term stresses, deflections and residual forces are known with a high degree of accuracy. This allows us to optimize design for low weight, high strength and very high impact resistance (attributes invaluable in applications as diverse as chemical vessels -both above and below ground, chemical scrubbers, anode/cathode filter frames, gears, sheaves, conveyors, impellers, wear resistant hoppers) |
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Building on the solid foundation of over 40 years of material data, as published in the standard DVS 2205, our own “plastics tailored” FEA techniques are now considered to be state of the art. As a result of this capability we have significantly reframed our view on what can be achieved with industrial thermoplastics. |
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What was previously considered not possible, has become possible. For example, we have successfully designed:
- 10m high flotation cells completely manufactured out of high density thermo-plastic and able to withstand cyclonic wind loads.
- Steel reinforced PP-H pickling lines manufactured up to 26m long by 3.2m high.
- 8m high chemical scrubbers capable of supporting 10 tonnes of activated carbon.
- 4m high by 3m diameter agitators with wear-resistant Matrox lining and baffles.
- 12m long self supporting, "non-stick" launders with constant surface velocity.
- Horizontal circular or oval truck tanks of up to 4m diameter and 10 meters length.
- Boat-lifting structures of completely thin walled sheet construction capable of lifting and balancing 6 tonne vessels.
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However, whilst design technology may prove what is achievable, it is of course only worth applying if the resulting product is competitive.
It is true that if the thermoplastic industry was limited to utilising traditional welding and fabrication techniques the cost can limit the commercialization of many technically feasible projects. However, in fabrication too, new technology has changed the landscape for the industry.
Over the last two years Australian fabricators, encouraged by the significantly increased investment in plastics engineering, have purchased state-of-the-art, PLC-controlled, butt-welding machines. These machines, capable of automatically welding and bending 4m lengths of sheet, substantially decrease the labour required in the fabrication process, whilst increasing the weld strength and assuring its quality.
The technological picture of the plastics industry has indeed changed, but the exciting part is the broadening of the applications for plastics this has made possible. |
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