vdL Composites will be exhibiting DuFLEX® Lightweight Panel Building at METS 2018 in Amsterdam

DuFLEX® Lightweight Panel Building © vdL Composites

vdL Composites will be exhibiting the DuFLEX® Lightweight Panel Building System on Stand CMP.25.EL at METSTRADE 2018 from November 13 through Thursday November 15 in the Amsterdam RAI Convention Centre in the Netherlands.

Developed in Australia by ATL Composites, the DuFLEX panels consist of a choice of lightweight, high-strength core materials, laminated with a high performance, specially formulated, epoxy resin and reinforced with multi-axial E- fibreglass or carbon fibre. The panels have become an industry standard for composite boat construction, and the system has been specified by leading designers, around the world, for the construction of pleasure, performance and commercial craft.

In 2012, ATL Composites and MuH von der Linden GmbH of Wesel, Germany, announced the formation of a joint venture company, vdL Composites GmbH to produce DuFLEX® composite panels for the European market. Since then the DuFLEX range has been available to professional boat-builders and designers throughout Europe, with local supply and experienced technical support provided by the Technical Team at vdL Composites.

Growing acceptance of the DuFLEX panels has lead to an ever-increasing European customer base and the further development of options for customers. In 2016, the Judel/Vrolijk designed MS Diamant 2017 was built by Shiptec AG in Switzerland and incorporated 109 custom DuFLEX/Structural Foam cored panels in the 275m2 sundeck floor on the upper deck.

The panels were CNC-routed by vdL, enabling them to be joined to create full-sized parts, and on installation, the parts fitted perfectly into the specified areas eliminating the need for time-consuming trimming and fitting. vdL staff were present on-site to assist with joining and to offer technical support during the process.

Shiptec have since utilised the DuFLEX system again for sections of the decks in another 39m Judel/Vrolijk and Co designed Commuter cat / Shuttle Ferry MS 2018. The hull design was optimised for fuel saving and a required speed of 19 knots.

All materials in MS 2018 were selected to withstand the stress induced by the high passenger numbers – 300 persons – and the intense schedules over long periods of time, and therefore the limited maintenance and service periods.

The DuFLEX panels used on this project were cored with 70mm Divinycell H80 structural foam with two layers of 600grm biaxial E-Glass on either side. Divinycell H has been widely used worldwide and has a proven track record in marine sandwich composite construction. Used in the DuFLEX combination, it ensured optimised stiffness and strength while keeping weight to a minimum. Full-sized parts up to 18m were manufactured and road freighted to Switzerland for installation.

The vdL Technical Team will be available at METS to introduce you to The DuFLEX Building System, and to discuss your specific design and fabrication requirements.

More information visit duflex.com.au and vdlcomposites.com.