Autoclaves
Your partner in autoclave and
thermosetting technologies
Roaches is a UK based engineering company with over thirty
years of experience of designing and manufacturing autoclaves to meet customer requirements.
Standard system features include:-
Fully programmable fan speeds for control of air circulation.
Modular cartridge heaters for easy replacement.
Analogue control of heaters for improved accuracy.
Full monitoring of individual vacuum zones.
Integrated vacuum pump and pipe system.
Touch screen PC control system with fully traceable historical cycle data.
We offer an upgrade and refurbishment service.
In addition to this, Roaches experienced after-sales team offer excellent support for spare parts, service or technical issues during the operating life of the equipment.
Development Units
| Length | 1.0 meters – 8.0 meters |
| Diameter | 0.8 meters – 6.0 meters |
| Zones | To suit |
Laboratory Units
| Length | 0.8 meters – 2.0 meters |
| Diameter | 0.6 meters – 0.8 meters |
| Zones | Up to 8 Zones |
The curing process for composite materials carried out in Roaches autoclaves is fully controlled by the PC based Adaptive Control System (ACS) that has been developed over many years. Using ACS software all the parameters involved in the cycle such as temperature, pressure and vacuum can be programmed and controlled to the most precise level
and accurately repeated week after week.
Vacuum levels on each individual zone can be monitored and
controlled and in the case of bag leakages which can result in a drop in vacuum to critical levels, can be isolated, preventing the failure of other components that may be in the same cure process.
The accurate control of all these variables is critical to get the repeatable qualities required in the manufactured components and parts.
How is an Autoclave used for composites?
An autoclave is used to cure composite parts which require heat and pressure. The use of controlled pressure is necessary to make sure that the fibre/resin content is sufficient and also allows the surface finish of the part to be free from air voids.
What industries are Autoclaves use in?
Many industries use autoclaves: Chemical, food, textile, medical, nuclear, rubber coating and within the composites industry: Motorsport, Aerospace, Sports, Construction. The complexity and control level of the autoclave can differ dependant on sector it is used in.
What is Autoclave curing?
Autoclave curing is effectively the process of creating a crosslink reaction within the chemical (resin) to for a rigid matrix. Most common way of creating the crosslink is via heat. An autoclave provides the heat to create this crosslink whilst the autoclave vessel is also under pressure to remove trapped air giving the composite part a repeatable and free from imperfection finish once the cure cycle has ended.
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