Mar 18 2010
Advanced Composites Group Ltd, part of the Composites Division of Umeco plc, will be co-exhibiting with Umeco's structural and process materials companies, J.D. Lincoln, GRPMS, and Richmond Aerovac, on Stand No. T50 in Hall 1 at JEC 2010 between the 13th and 15th April. ACG will exhibit: Norton Motorcycle's Limited Edition Commando 961SE motorbike and Zockra's Rapide recumbent bicycle.
The Limited Edition Norton Commando 961SE motorbike, one of only two hundred to be made at the Donington Park Race Circuit near Derby - UK, signifies the return to British soil of Norton, a quintessentially classic British motorcycle brand name. The 961SE uses ACG's lightweight carbon fibre prepreg materials for structural and cosmetic parts supplied by motorcycle parts designer and manufacturer, and respected ACG client, Blackstone Tek (BST) in South Africa. BST, already ACG material savvy, selected the Group's medium temperature moulding prepreg materials, specifically MTM58B and MTM57, for the structurally critical, autoclave processed wheels. A number of cosmetic parts, particularly the front and rear huggers, chain guard and number plate holder, have been press moulded using ACG's MTM57.
The Rapide, a recumbent bicycle intended for racing, long distance rides and ultra cycling, has been supplied by French bicycle manufacturer Zockra. The monocoque frame, front fork, semi-integrated headset/seat, handlebars, and some optional parts, are hand made using ACG's variable temperature moulding Out-of-Autoclave (OoA), vacuum only processing VTM264 carbon prepreg and Zockra's low cost tooling. Zockra's aim of minimal weight has been achieved for all components; the frame alone is exceptionally light and a complete bike can weigh less than 7.5 kg. Zockra selected ACG's prepregs because of their incredible weight/stiffness ratio and the neutralizing effect that these characteristics have on the bending and torsion issues encountered in recumbent bike frames.