Jeco Plastic Products--designer and manufacturer of plastic pallets and containers for the worldwide printing and automotive industries since 1973--recently received a research grant from the National Center for Manufacturing Sciences. Using the grant, the Indiana manufacturer is investigating the feasibility of using thermoplastic composite laminates to reinforce existing metallic armor.
The thermoplastic composite laminates promise to increase blast damage resistance without the weight penalty of metallic reinforcement, which reduces off-road mobility. Tasks set forth in the grant include identifying and evaluating plastic materials and laminate structures through complex custom simulation technology using the Ohio State University supercomputer.
Announcing the grant, Jeco Plastic Products President and CEO Craig Carson commented: "Jeco Plastic Products was selected by the National Center for Manufacturing Sciences because of our unique ability to thermoform complex plastic compounds and to incorporate a wide variety of reinforcing materials into seemingly simple structures. The work is proceeding well, and we are pleased to be of service to our country in this fashion." Carson, a West Point graduate and Viet Nam veteran, heads up the successful plastics molding company, which recently celebrated its 40th year of business.
