Brazil-based OEM, Randon Companies, has announced a new company is being structured for the research, production and application of nanotechnology.
Randon has discovered a new method for obtaining nioubium nanoparticles on a large scale.
This innovation, according to Randon, is unprecedented in the world market and comes with the purpose of generating new opportunities for different sectors of the manufacturing industry.
From a scientific study conducted by the Randon Technological Center – CTR and the Hercílio Randon Institute – IHR, the process of obtaining the nanoparticle proved possible for being applied. The solution enhances the characteristics of other materials, conferring greater durability, mechanical strength and significantly altering their physical-chemical properties. In addition, it uses environmentally friendly methods, contributing to a sustainable process.
“After the completion of intense technical studies and experiments, the applicability of this innovation is now known by the market,” said Sérgio L. Carvalho, Randon Companies Executive Vice President and COO and Fras-le CEO.
“It is a national technology, with a patent requested by Fras-le and with potential for application on a global scale.”
To expand research and expand the applications of this new technology, a new unit will be set up by Randon Companies, with structure, teams and proprietary resources. Initially, the application is planned to be used in the automotive industry, but can also be extended to other industrial segments.
“We are proud and pleased with the work conducted in an unprecedented way by our teams,” said Randon Companies CEO, Daniel Randon.
“This innovation proves the importance of continuing investing in research and development, a move we are doing strategically in Randon Companies.
In addition, the solution is aligned with our focus on ESG and our concern to conduct business in a sustainable way. We are celebrating a new phase for the national and international industry.”
In related news, Fras-le is introducing a new product line in composite materials with items up to 65 per cent lighter
Fras-le Smart Composites will work with composite materials for the production of auto parts. The use of this technology appears as an alternative to items originally made of steel and will result in better performance. The design is innovative and weight reduction of up to 65 per cent, reduces fuel consumption and consequently reduces pollutant emissions.
Fras-le Smart Composites will be one of the first creators of the part production in structural composite materials in the Brazilian road market. In the first project, the unit will conduct the manufacture of mud flaps to support semi-trailers.
“With this movement, the company follows the direction of technological megatrends in the mobility sector and aligns its portfolio to the public sustainability commitments signed with a focus on ESG,” said Carvalho.
The anticipation is that, by October, 40 per cent of the semi-trailers produced by Randon Implementos will leave the factory equipped with Fras-le’s new line. Semi-rods made of composite material are classified in both heavy and light duty versions and have weight reductions between 60 per cent and 65 per cent, compared to the original steel parts. In addition to weight reduction, the new components have undergone rigorous durability tests, and have superior performance versus steel, either statically or dynamically. Through simplified drilling, semi-rods in composites facilitate the assembly process, do not require painting and do not suffer corrosive effects.
The goal is to market the product and technology with other partners in the automotive market.
“Once technically enabled, the design of new products reacts in the market, allowing a rapid expansion within the automotive industry,” said Fras-le General Director, Anderson Pontalti.
“The appeal in mass reduction, in a competitive and sustainable way, has been leveraging great market interest. New developments are possible in relatively short periods, working with the Randon Technological Center (CTR) to accelerate the validation process.”
Over the coming months, new production technologies in composite materials will continue expanding to new components and markets.
The qualification of this new manufacturing technology with the use of composite materials began in 2018, through the innovation of products and research developments at the Hercílio Randon Institute (IHR), with the support of the Randon Technological Center (CTR). The plan took over three years and in the first few months of 2021, it began the structure of the industrial part. The Fras-le Smart Composites product line is established within the Fras-le industrial complex in Caxias do Sul, south of Brazil.
In July, Randon announced a strategic partnership in Kenya.