Development of a Low Cost Ground Coil by RIM Method
Masao SUZUKI, Kazuo SAWADA, Tsuyoshi FUJIMOTO, Yuichi NAKAMURA, Naoki AIHARA
The ground coils to be used along the entire length of MAGLEV (Magnetically
Levitated transpotation) system need to stand a long term outdoor service
and be provided in extremely large quantities. It is for these reasons that
we require them to be both durable and inexpensive. Dicyclopentadiene, that
is the major component in RIM (Reaction Injection Molding), is injected as
a low viscous liquid into the mold. It reacts and hardens in a short time,
producing a substance boasting superior qualities not obtained in the
conventional injection moldings. Besides, the molding process may be
undertaken at normal temperature and pressure, the molding equipment is
inexpensive, and the insulation scheme of the wound coils can be simplified.
Thus there are several reasons that the ground coils are suitable for mass
production. In this paper we discuss an application of RIM technology through
our test manufacturing of the ground coil reinforced by glass mats. We
investigated the economic effects as well.