Media
BASF gives model airplane industry new wings
Schaumaplast Precision Foam Molders LP, a custom shape molding company, approached BASF about alternatives to existing materials for their hobby aircraft customer, RitewingRC. Schaumaplast has been molding EPS (expanded polystyrene) since 1964.
“Before E-por, the wings were hand cut from blocks of other materials. With E-por, we are now able to deliver consistent quality molded production parts,” said Gerald Hauck, Vice President Sales & Marketing Schaumaplast Precision Foam Molders.
"The unique strengths of resiliency and surface appeal that E-por delivers in a new application are an exciting opportunity for BASF, and for our customers. Couple this with strong collaboration across the value chain and it’s a win-win for all of us," said Jarrett Russell, North American Market Development Manager, BASF Specialty Plastics.
Weighing only 400 grams, the wing is custom molded at Schaumaplast and assembled at RitewingRC, a hand builder of aircraft hobby wings. Decorative paints, winglets, camera skids and a propeller are attached to complete the wings for flight. Based on positive market acceptance of the E-por based “ZII” model, RitewingRC may use E-por in other models in the future.
E-por expandable foam
E-por is an expandable interpolymer, based on a complex formulation of different polymers which interact with each other as well as with the blowing agent. It is a crack-resistant particle foam that is unaffected by solvents. This tough-elastic foam can be stored, processed and recycled like classic Styropor, and can be expanded to the density required by the application.
E-por is suitable for use in impact-resistant packaging for high-quality, sensitive electronic products such as LED/LCD/plasma televisions, computers, data storage systems or hard disk drives. E-por can also be shape molded and has been successfully block molded and fabricated for custom designs. It is a readily available material meeting the needs of customers around the world. To learn more about BASF’s innovative E-por material, visit www.e-por.basf.com
For a press photo, please click on the following link:
http://www.basf.us/pressphotos/MPKphoto-6013.jpg
Suggested photo caption: RiteWingRC ZII model airplane, molded by Schaumaplast; made from BASF E-por
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About Schaumaplast
Schaumaplast originated in 1964 in Germany and has established various manufacturing plants internationally. Schaumaplast is, in addition to being your single source consultative packaging expert, the only manufacturer of custom shape molded Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) parts and products in Arizona. Our products offer you the perfect solution to requirements in a myriad of markets, including, but not limited to, packaging, solar, manufacturing, pharmaceutical, construction and retail. Schaumaplast Precision Foam Molders is located in Phoenix – Arizona, and has been at this location since 1999. With new technologies, new foams and new developments we are a state-of-the art molding company that provides a variety of industries with economical and efficient shape molded and hot wire cut products and packaging.
About RitewingRC
RiteWingRC is dedicated to bringing you the most exhilaration that the RC Aircraft hobby has to offer. Chris Klick, the founder of RiteWingRC has been obsessed with this hobby since his first involvement in it. In his continuing quest to build the fastest and most durable wings, he has lost count of how many wings he has actually built.
BASF - The Chemical Company
BASF Corporation, headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF has more than 16,900 employees in North America, and had sales of $18.7 billion in 2012. For more information about BASF’s North American operations, visit www.basf.us.
BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products and crop protection products to oil and gas. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. Through science and innovation, we enable our customers in nearly every industry to meet the current and future needs of society. Our products and solutions contribute to conserving resources, ensuring nutrition and improving quality of life. We have summed up this contribution in our corporate purpose: We create chemistry for a sustainable future. BASF posted sales of €78.7 billion in 2012 and had more than 113,000 employees as of the end of the year. Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.
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