Mar-Bal Expands SMC Expertise to Fill Market Gap
Expanding upon one of its core competencies, Mar-Bal, Inc. has added sheet molding compound (SMC) to be sold commercially through its existing materials division, AltraSet Composite Technologies.
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| Mar-Bal is expanding into the SMC business, much like it's origins with bulk molding compound in the 1970s. |
This addition enhances the company’s industry commitment to bridge a gap for customers seeking lower volume (up to 10K lb.) product orders, with short lead times, and unique materials for custom formulations to meet specific application requirements.
“We are not interested in high volume traditional materials (body panels, drain pans, etc.),” said Larry Landis, vice president of technology. “Our goal is to fill a gap in the marketplace for those seeking optimal, lower volume demand formulation and material value−meeting the most exacting standards for a variety of applications.”
Mar-Bal equates the development of SMC business to its bulk molding compound (BMC) growth origins in the 1970s, which started with small orders that larger entities didn’t want and built from there.
This “next level” of essential SMC formulation and material development includes (but not limited to): glass fiber, glass mats, polyesters, vinyl esters, hybrids and epoxies.
“Mar-Bal has a dedicated growth path in providing customers with comprehensive thermoset composite solutions–including part design, specialized material formulations, decorating, assembly, and customized automation,” added Bruce Acord, senior vice president of sales of engineered products. “The new SMC technology offering reflects this commitment and dedication to customer service.”
At the forefront of filling the gap for smaller volume run SMC order demands is a newly acquired Schmidt & Heinzmann GmbH & Co. KG (Bruchsal, Southwest Germany) SMC & pre-preg machine. This machine comes equipped with a multi-component pumping, dosing, and mixing (PDM) system, allowing for a precise combination of the thickener or hardener with the pre-mixed resin paste. According to Mar-Bal, which is essential in the production of consistent, high quality SMC material.
Capable of producing high glass structural composites, the machine is fully automated, holds tolerances well, and is adept at doing small runs of different sizes up to 24-to-48-inch widths.
Complimenting the newly acquired system is Mar-Bal’s Research & Development / Mechanical Lab, which provides full testing capabilities associated with SMC requirements including (but not limited to): thermal analysis, ASTM & ISO testing methods, UL flame testing, mechanical testing, and electrical testing.
“Our new SMC system is positioned to produce high glass structural composites for lower volume demands,” said Casey Blabolil, Mar-Bal director of technology. “We are now custom formulating, producing, and selling SMC commercially in the U.S. In fact, many of our existing BMC customers are beginning to take advantage of our SMC offerings to assist them with meeting their production needs.”
Through forward-thinking, growth and automation, Mar-Bal has continued to establish itself as a one-source solutions provider within the composites industry. Its growing and expansive materials portfolio, combined with vertical integration, allows customers to partner with Mar-Bal from concept to completion. Mar-Bal also owns a proprietary portfolio of BMC materials, molded insulators, detectable warning systems, fire resistant wastebaskets and can provide custom molding solutions to customers.
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