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.
Just recently the DuFLEX system has been utilised by Shiptec AG of Switzerland for the two decks in a 39m Judel/Vrolijk & Co designed Commuter cat / shuttle ferry. The hull design was optimised for fuel saving and a required speed of 19 knots.
All materials 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 2 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.
Already in 2016, the Judel/Vrolijk designed MS Diamant 2017 built by Shiptec AG 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.
Vdl:Composites was founded in 2012 by ATL Composites and MuH von der Linden GmbH of Wesel, Germany, 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. www.vdlcomposites.com
Vdl:Composites is a joint venture by M.u.H. von der Linden and ATL Composites. M.u.H. von der Linden is a member of Deutsche Yachten. This is made by a number of selected German companies that are active in the build and equipping of yachts of more than 30 metres in length. This working group is part of the German Boat and Shipbuilder’s Trade association DBSV (Deutscher Boots- und Schiffbauer-Verband) in which all relevant companies of the German yachting industry are organised. The aim of the group is to promote yacht-building in Germany and inform about the many services and resources that Germany has to offer this industry. www.deutsche-yachten.de
Boat Show Düsseldorf: Hall 11, Stand H60
For more information please contact Helge von der Linden, [email protected]
Deutsche Yachten – Superyacht Germany Press Contact, Detlef Jens, [email protected]
