Wedoany.com Report on Feb 26th, Cannon has recently launched the Nexus system, a composite mold that integrates temperature regulation and control functions. This system utilizes the physical properties of composite materials, embedding the material itself as a heating element within the mold. The manufacturer states that this design enables rapid heating of up to 30°C per minute and provides more precise localized temperature control compared to traditional fluid systems. This allows for the creation of different zones within the mold, with temperature gradients between zones controllable within a few millimeters, making it suitable for processes requiring precise regulation of material chemical kinetics. The composite material also supports customizable performance, such as specific heating rates, electrical conductivity, or heat distribution, to meet the production needs of different components.
Cannon points out that compared to standard mold heating methods, the Nexus system can improve efficiency by 25%, thereby shortening cycle times and optimizing production processes. The system also aims to enhance component quality and may reduce raw material consumption. Initially designed for manufacturers using PU RIM (Reaction Injection Molding), Nexus is also compatible with various processes involving thermoset materials. Andrea Castelnovo, Technology and R&D Manager at Cannon Tipos, stated: "In thermoset molding, heat management is a key factor in achieving consistent quality, competitive cycle times, and energy-sustainable processes. Traditional technologies based on metal tools and thermal fluids have reached their limits; even after optimization, they rarely exceed 75% energy efficiency and generate thermal inertia. Nexus offers a new approach to mold temperature control based on the inherent properties of composite materials, aiming to heat only the necessary parts in the shortest possible time to minimize energy waste."
Developing the Nexus system took Cannon over a decade of experimentation, starting in 2015, with the goal of improving the efficiency of RIM and HP-RTM processes. The system aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 12, supporting responsible consumption and production. Concurrently, Cannon will showcase the POSSIBLE project at JEC World 2026, which focuses on recycling and reusing polyurethane (PU) and PU-glass fiber composites as secondary reinforcement materials in new composite formulations. This project was developed by Cannon in collaboration with MAP S.p.A. and the University of Bergamo, and received funding from Italy's strategic plan for the EU's NextGenerationEU recovery fund.
Thermoset materials account for approximately 12% of global plastic production, exceeding 40 million tons annually, with polyurethane foam constituting about 17 million tons. However, traditional recycling methods are largely ineffective for these materials, and other approaches are often costly or incompatible with existing processes. Maurizio Corti, R&D Director at Cannon, noted: "In the plastics industry, sustainability and end-of-life discussions have become focal points, especially concerning reinforced thermoset materials. Rigid polyurethane foam and glass fiber reinforced polyurethane (GFRP) composites are indispensable for achieving energy efficiency goals but are also among the most difficult materials to recycle. Landfilling and incineration are becoming unacceptable." The POSSIBLE project explores two complementary recycling methods: one converts rigid foam waste into powder dispersed in polyol, while the other introduces rigid PU granules and composites as solid fillers into the mixture. Tests indicate these methods can be integrated into production lines without significant process modifications, representing a concrete step towards a circular economy in the thermoset materials sector. Cannon is currently developing related recycling solutions for market introduction.
