From Rubber to Polyurethane

The demand for always lighter vehicles is leading the automotive industry to rethink to the production materials in use: we talked about it with Sanpo Gomu, manufacturer of acoustic insulation parts for OEMs.

Cannon Equipment for engine covers

For a silent roar

Cannon Afros has developed dedicated equipment for the production of engine covers with Polyurethane, whether they are totally made in pu or in thermoplastic with an insulation back layer

Cannon Solution for grommets

Grommets, a time-saving solution

Cannon developed a whole range of solution for the production of grommets in polyurethane, using a full sensored mould connected with a human interface.

Wheel Arch

Wheel arch, the arch-shaped cavity which houses a wheel, plays an important role in terms of safety: in case of collision, in fact, the flexibility of this component helps to reduce possible damages to both pedestrians and other cars. Furthermore, wheel arch protects the car from pebbles, mud, ice… which could damage or dirty the…

CF

Dedicated dosing unit for NVH applications

Fuel Tank

Basing on its experience in twin sheet thermoforming, Cannon has developed a dedicated solution for production of fuel tanks. The two sheets, which compose the two tank’s halves, are first heated to the correct temperature and thermoformed independently. They are then joined together inside a high tonnage press to grant perfect sealing. Thanks to this…

Heat Shields

Besides the engine itself, the biggest heat flow is generated by the exhaust piping. As a consequence, proper heat shields are required in order to protect vehicle bodies or sensitive parts from overheating. Heat shields are generally manufactured in aluminum sheet or with a multi-layer structure of aluminum and structural and/or insulating material. Cannon provides…

Body Panels, Hoods and Roofs, Door Outer Skin

These elements can be produced in different ways: obtaining high performance structural parts with the combination of matrix and reinforcement with HP-RTM Liquid Lay Down SMC, to achieve complex geometries PrePreg GMT Interwet

Bumper, Spoilers and Rocker Panels

Polyurethane RRIM (reinforced reaction injection moulding) and RIM (reaction injection moulding) contends to plastics the title for preferred material in manufacturing external body parts for vehicles, such as bumpers, spoilers, rocker panels, fenders, etc. Despite the higher cost, polyurethane prevails in terms of mechanical properties, cost of tooling, cost of processing equipment and time to…

Body in White, Frames and Reinforcing Elements

Automotive body in white components and frames are critical structures requiring the highest fibre volume fraction in order to withstand extreme mechanical stresses. Cannon has developed two ways to produce these parts: HP-RTM When the resin transfer is not convenient due to part dimension or type of reinforcement (e.g. in case of low cost reinforcement…

Wheels and Leafprings

In order to produce vehicles or trucks even lighter, automotive players are looking for save weight also in structural components. For high-end vehicles and special applications, it is preferable to have wheels and leafspring suspensions made by glass fibre. This possibility allows weight saving improving driving performances and decreasing fuel consumption, also increasing the attractiveness…

Glass Encapsulation

Glass Encapsulation is used on automotive widescreens, side windows and rear windows, and consists in creating a frame around the glass by injecting a polymer (TPE, PVC or PU) on its border through a framing mould. Depending on customer’s needs, Cannon can also provide tailor-made layouts.

Parcel Shelves, Load Floors and Sun Roof Covers

Energy saving and the reduction of CO2 emissions represent two mega-trends which are contributing in driving the automotive market. The introduction of lightweight components is one of the actions which are taken to reduce the total weight of a vehicle, thus saving energy and cutting on CO2 emissions. Load-floors, parcel shelves and sun roofs covers…

Headliner

Headliners, the composite material adhered to the inside roof of cars, generally consist of a fabric with nonwoven or foam backing. They  are made by reinforcing and laminating thin layers of semi-rigid polyurethane foam, cut from blocks. Cannon supplies two solutions to foam blocks in discontinuous: Cannon developed a specific forming lines to automatically form thermoplastic…

Steering Wheel

The steering wheel, besides being a structural and aesthetic element of the car, is strongly involved in safety: it not only contains the airbag but is also designed to properly deform itself, not to damage your chest in case of an accident. No wonder manufacturers of steering wheels around the world pay so much attention…

Headrest and Armrest

Headrests are an automotive safety feature, generally attached to the seat. This important elements can be produced: Through a foam pad: the integral skin or the flexible foam are injected in close mould or poured in open mould. After demoulding, the flexible foam is dressed with fabric. With the Foam-in-place technology: the flexible foam is…

Seating

Car seats performance and quality are fundamental  for vehicles’ comfort and security: this is why automotive seats production is one of the most demanding application. The design of car seats and becomes more sophisticated and challenging: foam pads are becoming thinner to save space in the vehicle, but, at the same time, they must ensure…

Engine Shields

In order to protect car engine from possible damages, proper shields are required, which shall be able to absorb severe mechanical stresses. Engine shields are generally manufactured in composite materials such which allow to combine high mechanical properties together with a light weight. Cannon is able to provide complete customized forming lines for this application,…

Engine Covers

Engine covers are both an aesthetic and a NVH part: they absorb engine vibrations and noises. To produce engine covers, PU can be involved in 3 main different ways: Engine Cover entirely PU made: The process usually involves a stop-and-go carousel (turning table) composed by different stations: one dedicated to removal and mould cleaning, one…

Air Ducts

Automotive business is more and more looking for energy and emission saving solutions. Electric vehicle development is also giving a strong drive in this direction, searching for longer battery life. Twin Sheet thermoforming process with XLPE foam (Cross-linked polyethylene foam) is an excellent solution for production of air ducts for thermal conditioning of passenger compartment.…

Dash Insulator and Carpets

Dash insulator and carpets are used to reduce engine and road noise into the car interior cabin. A typical dash insulator or carpet system consists of a steel panel (vehicle body panel), a porous decoupler and a heavy layer in the form of sandwich construction. To make these parts, Cannon has developed two different production…

Cannon Presses

Presses

Different models available, up to 5000 tons of clamping force

FPL

L shaped Cannon iconic multipurpose mixing head

Automotive & Transportation

Today the Automotive and Transportation sectors are featured by high levels of design, comfort, performance and safety, with particular attention to the environmental footprint of the circulating means of transport. ​It is therefore compulsory for car manufacturers, and all their suppliers, to be fully committed to the reduction of polluted emissions produced by the combustion…