MICROPPLY LIMITED - Developing a Prototype (DOP) of a flameless device for installing thermoplastics in hazardous and confined areas

表面标记是沥青或混凝土表面的通用和必要的补充。它们在人行道和道路上发挥着最重要的安全功能之一，同时也使设施所有者能够在地面的黄金位置上建设教育、休闲和广告。这为游乐场、主题公园、停车场、体育场和其他前院带来了丰富的全球机会；除了道路标志。全球市场营销行业估计为500亿美元，员工超过25万人（Gartner, 2014）。有178家英国公司在这个市场开展业务。目前有四种主要类型的表面标记材料（油漆、热塑性塑料、树脂和胶带），每种材料在成本、性能、耐用性、应用速度和适用性方面都有所不同。使用热塑性塑料的趋势越来越多，因为它们的零溶剂/VOC（挥发性有机含量）水平，安全性，高复古反射率，可变厚度，鲜艳的颜色，以及能够轻松地重新涂抹在旧标记上。然而，目前的安装过程存在商业和技术问题，阻碍了热塑性标记在利润丰厚的危险区域行业（如石油和天然气，石油化工，地下网络）中的使用，尤其是要求安装有火焰（在危险区域禁止使用）。此外，目前的方法昂贵、劳动密集、速度慢且结果不一致。这个项目解决了这些问题。在三项成功资助的TSB拨款（POM， HVM商业模式和POC -分别为文件Refs 700255, 221214和710487）之后，我们通过开发DOP阶段无焰设备来解决问题，该设备可以同时加热，测量温度，并在热塑性表面均匀地应用正确体积的防滑集料，在正确的时间部署它以提供优化的视觉/retro反射质量，并且不使用明火。

Surface Markings are a versatile and essential addition to asphalt or concrete surfaces. Theyplay one of the most important safety functions on pavements and roads, as well as givingfacilities owners the ability to construct education, leisure, and advertising in prime locationson the ground. This has led to a wealth of global opportunities in playgrounds, theme parks,car parks, stadia and other forecourts; in addition to road markings. The global markingsindustry is estimated at $50bn USD, and employees over 250,000 people (Gartner, 2014).There are 178 UK companies operating in this market.There are currently four main typologies of surface marking materials (paint, thermoplastic,resin, and tape), each differ in terms of cost, performance, durability, speed of application, andsuitability. There is a growing trend towards using thermoplastics because of their zerosolvent/VOC (Volatile Organic Content) level, safety, high retro reflectivity, variablethickness, bright colours, and ability to easily re-apply over old markings.However, there are commercial and technical issues with current installation processes thathave prevented the use of thermoplastic markings in lucrative hazardous area industries e.g.Oil & Gas, PetroChem, Underground networks - not least the requirement to install with anaked flame (which is banned in hazardous areas). Further, current methods are expensive,labour intensive, slow and give inconsistent results.This project addresses these problems. Following three successfully funded TSB grants(POM, HVM Business Model, and POC - File Refs 700255, 221214 and 710487respectively), we address the problems by developing a DOP Stage flameless device that cansimultaneously apply heat, measure temperature, and apply the correct volume of antislipaggregate over the thermoplastic surface evenly, deploying it at the correct time to giveoptimised visual/retro reflective qualities, and without the use of a naked flame.