Pultrusion History

Fiberglass Pultruded Profiles are not new. The first patents for pultrusions were issued in 1946. Since then, INLINE FIBERGLASS has been granted International Patents related to the Fiberglass Pultrusion and the Fabrication and Assembly of Fiberglass Fenestration Products.

The entry of Fiberglass into the fenestration Industry (doors and windows), came about with the ability to maximize the Glass Content. The high glass content and polymer matrix increased the physical properties, including strength. With higher glass content, engineers and designers are able to thin down the wall thickness (as low as 0.07") while still maintaining designed strength.

Design potentials are limited only by the requirement that the shape be constant over the length of the profile. The high glass content improved many of the properties by stabilizing the resins. Lineal Profiles of intricate shapes are achieved with a new inert material with tight tolerances and mechanical properties rivaling metal.

Pultruded Fiberglass

Pultrusion is a fabrication process to produce lineal profiles, that brings high performance Space-Age Composites within the reach of Window and Door Manufacturers.

Continuous fiberglass reinforcements, in roving and mat forms, are drawn through a resin impregnation station to coat each fiber with a specially formulated Thermosetting Resin mixture. The coated fibers are assembled by forming-shaping guide and drawn (pulled) through a die, where under pressure and heat the resins are cured. The result is a high strength profile, ready for use as it leaves the Pultrusion Machine. The process is irreversible, it can not be melted or reformed, unlike PVC, which under heat, will deform.

The resin used in Fiberglass Pultrusions is Thermoset vs. PVC (vinyl) which use Thermoplastic Resins. In the pultrusion process, under heat and pressure, the Thermoset Resins and Fiberglass form a new inert material that is impervious to temperature. Pultruded Fiberglass physical properties do not change through the full temperature cycle up to 350 F. PVC resins become unstable at 155 F.

Pultrusion Operations

For the last two decades Inline Fiberglass Ltd. has perfected its line of pultrusion machinery, as the company has gone through three generations of continuous improvements and vigorous testing. The company can offer either a turnkey pultrusion operation or just one of its pultrusion technology machines and accessories such as mat slitters, resin mixers, roving creels, etc.

PultrusionIn addition Inline has a full line of pultrusion machines capable of producing profiles of various shapes and cross sectional dimensions. Inline's engineering staff willbe pleased to evaluate your requirements and determine the equipment specifications best suitable for your needs.

Pultruder

Inline's pultrusion machine is a complete process system capable of producing a wide variety of profiles by simply changing die, pre shaper and composition of raw material. The machine consists of three basic sections: a die station with operator panel, a pulling station, and synchronized cut off saw. Fast adjustable patented die station makes deformed profiles easy to correct. A rigid frame construction assures smooth puller movement at any speed.

The hydraulic system services the pullers, clamps and die station. The system automatically adjusts the pump efficiency. Puller speed is controlled by hydraulic proportional valves. Clamp force is regulated trough manual hydraulic valves. Two parallel linear cylinders provide the puller thrust to pull the product while the grippers keep it clamped with appropriate force. The sequence of operations and pullers movement are controlled by a Programmable Controller placed inside an electrical panel. A traveling cut off saw is located behind the puller unit and cuts the product to required length without interruption of the pulling sequence.

Mat Slitter

Inline's Mat Slitter is a pultrusion technology machine used to cut continuous strand mat or surfacing materials into any width. Rolls up to 78" width can be cut to widths indexed in 0.01" or 0.01 cm increments. Cutting program storage permits recycling of cut orders. The machine has multiple width and batch count program capability, controlled by a powerful Programmable Logic Controller.

Resin Mix Station

The Mixer or Dissolver is designed to mix resin, fillers and other chemical components/additives to achieve a consistent mixture utilized in the pultrusion process. All dissolvers are equipped with explosion proof motors, variable speed and a high shear stainless steel impeller.