When it comes to supplying composite parts to such strategic sectors as wastewater treatment, mass transit, electrical industry and military, it is often critical to have the entire process, from concept development to full production, handled by one single supplier. An approach like this ensures the consistency of the process, from the first steps of design, throughout the entire production cycle to the final product assembly.
That’s why Protectolite™ has expanded to become a one-stop shop for composite services to our customers. From concept development, design, prototyping, testing, tooling design & manufacturing to full production, Protectolite™ is your ultimate destination for all your composite needs.
With representatives throughout the USA and Canada, we are able to meet the demands of our customers no matter where they are located. With our well-planned logistics system and regularly replenished materials inventory, we can supply parts to the manufacturers with daily/year-round production across all of North America. We ship to a dozen plus OEM locations across the US and Canada every day, ensuring timely and safe delivery of our products with every shipment.
With CFD software, on-site R&D lab and Q&A facilities, we are able to design, modify and test any operational or design modifications before the product is sent to manufacturing.
We provide 3D models through SolidWorks, seismic loading and meteorological calculations as well as FEA analysis to ensure that each part is engineered, taking into account all possible seismic and meteorological conditions.
We offer the lowest water absorption (0.056%) fiber-reinforced plastics on the market in a submerged environment. Our products are compliant with AWWA F102 standards.
With 8 trained mechanical, fluid dynamics and chemical engineers on staff, we provide assurance to our clients that their project is in the hands of professionals.
We strive to achieve the most optimal product design that can withstand virtually any real-world physical effects without breaking or wearing out.
Protectolite™ boasts a 35000 square foot manufacturing facility equipped with the latest technology and machinery such as twelve hydraulic presses with 75 to 1500 tons of force. Our 6-axis robotic routers and cutters as well as 3-axis waterjet table allows us to cut products of virtually any shape and size. Our customers can choose from a variety of molding materials and processes to get the product that is customized for their application.
Our molding materials selection includes:
- Combines the ability to control resin input with medium length fibers
- Excellent for larger components that require highly refined surface finish, design complexity, and good mechanical properties.
- Clay-like substance that is a mixture of resins, additives & short fibers
- Perfect for smaller sized customized components where SMC fibers are too long or where elevated loadings of flame retardants are required for optimal electrical performance.
- Mat made of a combination of continuous glass fiber and/or random strands, with the option to add a binder for shaped rigidity
- Excellent for products requiring medium to large parts with a high concentration of fibers and consistent cross-sections.
- Suitable for low to medium volume production where assembly is not a key factor.
- Advantages: simple, low cost tooling, virtually no limitations to part size, short lead times to production.
- Suitable for products requiring a medium to large surface, like truck & bus body side parts.
- Advantages: the length of the product is practically limitless. Higher degree of process control than found with hand lay-up.
- Suitable for small and medium volume production, resin transfer moulding is best for hundreds to thousands of parts.
- Advantages: Molds are less expensive than for compression molding, and full heat is not required for resin transfer moulding. It can also provide good surface finish, and the parts are more accurate in production relative to hand lay-up & vacuum bagging.
- Suitable for high strength, small, medium & large complex parts requiring good surface finish in larger quantity volumes. It is best for parts in the hundreds to thousands of parts.
- Advantages: can create relatively large single-piece products at high daily production rates. Additionally, reproducible custom coloring can be incorporated into the finished product as well as ribs, metal inserts and other time/cost saving design features. Precise tolerances, repeatedly produced in single parts. Low part cost.
- Suitable for products requiring a constant cross section such as: rods, structural shapes, beams, channels, pipes, tubes. High strength is due to the high concentration and parallel orientation of the fibers to the product being drawn through the pultrusion process.
- Advantages: the length of the product is practically limitless. Precise tolerances, repeatedly produced from part to part. Low part cost.
