Applying gaskets and sealing beads efficiently

KraussMaffei supplies mixing heads and metering machines that enable PUR sealing beads and gaskets to be produced in high-pressure processes. At the Fakuma 2008 in Friedrichshafen (October 14-18), KraussMaffei will be demonstrating this capability with a system applying a PUR gasket to a thermoplastic part. The salient benefit of high-pressure processing is the substantially higher productivity compared with low-pressure techniques. High-pressure units can process fast-reacting PUR systems. Because these PUR grades cure faster, products can be moved to the next manufacturing stage with minimal delays. This eliminates the buffer zones required to accommodate the longer curing time of slower PUR systems. In consequence, both initial investment and floorspace requirements are lower for high-pressure processing. Furthermore, high-pressure mixing heads are self-cleaning, eliminating the cleaning cycles necessary in low-pressure processing. A high-pressure mixing head cleans itself, because all the material mixed for a shot is deposited on the substrate as the sealing bead. No PUR waste is generated; all the mixed material is used for the sealing application. This compares very favourably with low-pressure processes where the mixing chamber needs to be cleaned at regular intervals. The cleaning process generates waste and causes production stoppages, reducing machine availability and increasing manufacturing costs. Self-cleaning, high-pressure mixing heads can boost the productivity and flexibility of the manufacturing system. The high pressure mixing heads have wide range of applications. Automatic application of sealing beads and gaskets reduces assembly effort and cuts out the need to stock a selection of different gaskets. The process can be used successfully in a huge range of applications. In the automotive sector for instance, PUR sealing beads are already being used in door modules, cockpit components, windscreen wipers, tail lights and glazing - to list just a few applications. In the electrical and electronics industry, switching cabinets, fuse boxes and strip lighting elements are among the most important applications. Another big market for the high-pressure process is producing PUR seals for filter elements, such as panel filters, air filters and cleanroom filter units. As part of its support for this growth market, KraussMaffei will shortly open a new development lab dedicated to researching high-pressure technology in gasket-making processes. The facility will be available for customers wanting to explore and test specific applications. KraussMaffei at the Fakuma 2008: Hall A7, Booth 7205 -Company Press Release