RAM Inc. –“SPECIALIZING IN THE MOLDING OF ENGINEERED THERMOPLASTIC AND THERMOSET MATERIALS”

RAM IS AN INDUSTRY LEADER IN THE MOLDING OF PEEK:

PolyEtherEtherKetone (PEEK) is a high performance engineered thermoplastic. PEEK grades offer chemical and water resistance similar to PPS (PolyPhenylene Sulfide), but can operate at higher temperatures. PEEK can be used continuously at temperatures up to 480 degrees F (250 degrees C) and in hot water or steam without permanent loss in physical properties. For hostile environments, PEEK is a high strength alternative to Aluminum and Zinc Alloys. PEEK carries a V-0 flammability rating and exhibits very low smoke and toxic gas emission when exposed to flame. Although PEEK requires high processing temperatures, it can be processed using specially modified equipment.

Advantages:

  • Excellent chemical resistance
  • Very low moisture absorption
  • Ease of processing
  • Inherently good wear and abrasion resistance
  • Unaffected by continuous exposure to hot water or steam
  • High strength and toughness

(Source: RTP Company & Victrex)

PEEK Grades:

PEEK (Unfilled):
This general purpose grade offers the highest elongation and toughness of all PEEK grades. Unfilled PEEK is available in natural (a very light brown or tan) color and is also available in black. Black PEEK is ideal for instrument components where aesthetics are important, as well as for seal components where ductility and inertness are important. All unfilled PEEK grades comply with FDA regulation 21 CFR 177.2415 for repeated food contact.

PEEK (Glass Filled):
The addition of glass fibers significantly reduces the expansion rate and increases the flexural modulus of PEEK. This grade is ideal for structural applications that require improved strength, stiffness, or stability, especially at temperatures above 300 degrees F (130 degrees C). Glass-filled PEEK is light brown or tan in color.

PEEK (Carbon Filled):
The addition of carbon fibers enhances the compressive strength and stiffness of PEEK, and dramatically lowers its expansion rate. It offers designers optimum wear resistance and load carrying capability in a PEEK-based product. This grade provides 3 1/2 times higher thermal conductivity than unreinforced PEEK–dissipating heat from the bearing surface faster. Carbon-filled PEEK is black in color.

PEEK (Bearing Grade, Ketron HPV):
This grade of PEEK, containing carbon fiber reinforced with graphite and PTFE lubricants, offers the lowest coefficient of friction and the best machine-ability for all PEEK grades. Bearing grade PEEK has an excellent combination of low friction, low wear, high limiting PV, low mating part wear, and easy machining. Bearing grade PEEK is black or dark grey in color.

(Source: Boedeker)

RAM Inc. has qualified personnel with many years of experience in the production of parts with PEEK material:

  • Management
  • Molding Operators
  • Machinists
  • Design Engineers
  • Deburr
  • Assembly
peek-1Victrex PEEK
150GL30 		peek-2RTP PEEK
2299X83270		 sumitomaSUMITOMO BAKELITE
EM7302 LD-2

Specialist in High Temperature Thermoplastics

RAM’s years of expertise in working with engineered polymers give us the edge when it comes to helping you find the right material to meet the requirements of your application. When it comes to weight, temperature, wear, or electrical properties, RAM specializes in molding thermoplastics which offer combinations of advantages most other materials can’t match. Our ability to combine the inherent qualities of the polymer with the injection molding precision of RAM craftsmen enable you to consider thermoplastics in areas where more expensive or exotic materials may have been your only option in the past. Because RAM offers turnkey prototyping, the timelines for research and development are greatly reduced.

Expertise and Equipment to Meet Your Needs

RAM has injection molding equipment to meet a wide range of needs with shot capacities ranging from our smallest 20 ton machine to our largest 750 ton machine. RAM is equipped to mold a large variety of part sizes and materials. All of our mold machines are designed to handle high temperature engineered thermoplastics with melt temperatures to 850 degrees F and mold temperatures to 450 degrees F. The equipment and techniques will ensure the quality of the parts on a consistent basis.

injection-1

Specializing in Injection Molding the Following Materials:

Thermoplastic Polymide…..TPI
Polyphthalamide…..PPA
Polyetheretherketone…..PEEK
Polyetherimide…..PEI
Polyphenyline Sulfide…..PPS
Liquid Crystal polymer….LCP
Nylon and other Thermoplastics
Carbon / Glass Fillers
EMI Shielding and Much More

MATERIAL SELECTION MATRIX

material

This chart describes the performance characteristics of the various types of materials available for specific applications.

Specializing in Compression Molding

RAM has developed State of the Art Compression Molding technology using our wide variety of Mold Presses plus Induction and Convection Ovens.  Our Processing Control Systems bring consistent and conforming finished parts to our customers.  We mold Thermoset materials ranging from epoxy – glass fiber or carbon fiber to phenolic – cotton fiber composites.  These engineered materials – specified by our customers – are the base materials for structural aircraft parts used in many applications from fairing and cabin fillers, structural covers to rotor blade butt and tip blocks.

These materials are supplied by RTP Company, Sumitomo Bakelite, Quantum Composites and Cytec Engineered Composites in granular, flake, chopped strands and sheet form.

Using our customers’ 3D part models, RAM designs and builds compression mold tooling which forms the composite into the finished part.  In some applications secondary machining is required to meet close tolerance dimensions or machined features such as tapped holes, installation of inserts or other finishing such as coating or painting.  Further, RAM utilizes industry qualified professional materials labs for destruct and non-destruct testing and inspection of finished parts to confirm molded parts meet the demanding customer requirements including X-Ray and Ultra Sonic NDI plus Crush and Shear destruct strength testing.

Specializing in Compression Molding the Following Materials:
CYTEC FM 9294 Phenolic Molding Compound
Sumitomo Bakelite,7302 Long Glass Epoxy Molding Compound
Sumitomo Bakelite,7302 LD-2,Long Glass Epoxy Molding Compound
RTP 1307 Black Polyphenyline Sulfide…..PPS