Independent Composites required a controllable hot-air system to support the curing of composite components within project-specific oven setups. By using Secomak’s HeatPack, the company gained a flexible source of recirculated warm air, helping maintain the process conditions needed for effective composite curing.
The Customer
Independent Composites operates in the specialist composites sector, with work spanning renewable energy, prototyping and advanced engineering applications.
The company manufactures composite components using a range of advanced production methods, including resin infusion, resin transfer moulding (RTM), vacuum bag moulding, and out-of-autoclave (OOA) manufacturing. These processes all rely on thermally assisted curing, where controlled heat is applied to achieve the required material properties, structural strength, and dimensional stability of the finished components.
In this type of work, temperature management is critical. Composite materials rely on controlled curing conditions to achieve the required mechanical performance, dimensional stability and surface finish. Inadequate or uneven heat transfer can compromise cure quality, extend cycle times or create inconsistencies between parts.
The Background
For a current project, Independent Composites needed additional heat drying and curing capacity for components processed in temporary oven arrangements.
The requirement was not driven by a failure of existing equipment, but by the need to expand controlled heating capability. Their process involved circulating warm air through the oven environment, ensuring components received sufficient and repeatable thermal exposure during cure.
As the customer noted:
“Controlling and recirculating air over 40 degrees requires advanced equipment.”
This point is particularly relevant in composite manufacturing. Once airflow and temperature move beyond basic ambient drying, process control becomes essential. The equipment must not only generate heat, but also distribute it effectively and allow operators to manage changing production conditions.
The Challenge
Independent Composites needed a system that could deliver controlled hot-air recirculation during the curing stage, while remaining adaptable to a hands-on production environment.
Composite curing is rarely a simple heating task. Different materials, geometries and layups can demand different thermal profiles. Air movement also plays an important role, as stagnant or poorly distributed air can create local temperature variation inside the oven.
The customer therefore required equipment that could support:
- Controlled recirculation of heated air
- Adjustment of both airflow and temperature
- Reliable curing support across multiple components
- Operator monitoring using thermocouples within the oven
- Sufficient flexibility for changing project requirements
The Solution
Secomak supplied a HeatPack unit to provide recirculated warm air for the customer’s curing process.
The system is used during the curing stage, where warm air is circulated through the oven to support the thermal processing of composite components. A key advantage for Independent Composites was the ability to alter airflow and heat output independently.
This capability is important because heat transfer in an oven is not governed by temperature alone. Air velocity, circulation pattern and thermal input all influence how evenly and efficiently components reach the desired cure conditions. Being able to adjust these variables separately gives the operator a wider process window and greater control over the curing environment.
The Result
The HeatPack gave Independent Composites the controlled hot-air recirculation they needed to support composite curing in their oven setup.
The customer particularly valued the ability to raise airflow and heat independently. Compared with systems that operate within fixed limits of flow and temperature, the HeatPack provided a broader performance envelope, allowing the team to adapt the unit to different project requirements.
As the customer explained:
“The unit works as intended. It is nice to have the function to raise flow and heat individually. Other products on the market are built with set limits of flow and temperature. Secomak offers an extra window of performance that allows us to reach other projects.”
Independent Composites were also highly satisfied with Secomak’s after-sales and site support, reinforcing the importance of supplier expertise in specialist manufacturing environments.
For a composites business working with demanding materials and evolving project needs, the HeatPack delivered more than simple heat. It provided controllable thermal processing capability, supporting cure quality, operational flexibility and future production opportunities.
Technical Specification
