Alamo

Development of Innovative High-performance Anodised Aluminium Moulding Tools for the Thermoplastic Processing Sector to Achieve Competitive Advantage

The Alamo project aimed to develop anodisers that allow for the production of anodised surfaces that prevent micro-crack formation, for the manufacture of aluminium tools (with optimised mechanical and thermal properties) for thermoplastics processing applications. The main objective of the project was to develop precompetitive, innovative anodised aluminium mould tools for injection moulding, blow moulding and rotational moulding.

These moulds will have surface mechanical and thermal properties, exceeding those presently on the market with regards to:

• Wear resistance
• Thermal emissivity
• Corrosion resistance

The SME participants have obtained a technological edge leading to increased competitiveness. In line with the objectives of the EU and the Sixth Framework Programme (FP6), the product and process developed will contribute towards sustainable manufacturing.

Organisational Information

Budget: €1.4M
Funding: €725k
Start Date: November 2004
Finish Date: October 2006
Duration (in months): 24
Lead Partner (Co-ordinator): Smithers Rapra, UK

Participants

• Aluminium Surface Engineering, UK
• ARMINES, France
• Ascamm Foundation, Spain
• Heywood Metal Finishers, UK
• Pechiney, UK
• PPA – TEO, Ireland
• Queen’s University Belfast, UK
• Si2M, Spain
• SIGMA Engineering GmbH, Germany

Results – What happened next?

The project was completed with good results and partners agreed that the knowledge gained had been benefi cial. They are now free to utilise the techniques and the anodisers have been used in commercial projects. A large company, Fujikura, will promote the technology within Europe via the partners involved, under the trade name of Primal. It is extremely encouraging that, as a result of the dissemination work carried out, a global automotive company has enquired about the benefi ts of anodised aluminium tooling and is in discussion about possible uses. The Alamo project has proved the viability of the combined technologies of aluminium tooling and anodised surfaces and further development of the techniques will lead to many new applications.