Toray sets up distribution centre for prepregs in US

September 25, 2020 - United States Of America

Toray Advanced Composites has set up a distribution centre for high-performance Toray AmberTool HX56 composite tooling prepregs in the US. This will ensure high speed of supply and regional availability of leading composite tooling technology. Manufactured at its thermoset centre of excellence in the UK, the tooling material will be fully stocked in the US.

The US stocks will allow immediate order fulfilment for customers in North America. Real-time delivery of composite tooling is crucial to the motorsports market where rapid design and production cycles also demand rapid support from suppliers.

Toray AmberTool HX56 is a low temperature curing epoxy prepreg that produces an excellent surface for short-cure autoclave processing. This high-performance tooling prepreg has robust handling characteristics that provide excellent drape for complex shapes like those needed in the motorsport market. The prepreg has been a key enabler to the high-end motorsport market in Europe for over 20 years. Like all AmberTool products, Toray AmberTool HX56 enables the production of precision composite tools with superior accuracy and surface finish.

Bryan Nortje, senior technical manager at Fibreworks Composites, mentioning the need for readily available, high-quality products, said: “Our core philosophy is to ‘outperform’ our competition on all fronts. The HX56 Tooling system falls perfectly into our needs. It offers us faster turnaround times without compromising quality. Kudos to Toray for supporting us in the US with this product from Europe.”

“The immediate availability of this high-end tooling prepreg will be a game changer for US racing teams. Our central US stocking facility will ensure a quick supply of materials for faster part development and production, thereby giving US teams more testing time on the track,” said Steve Cease, VP Strategic Initiatives. “We value being a material supply partner to the high-end motorsport market and are excited to offer inventory in the US for their immediate needs.”