core sector communique

COOPERATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN KRAUSSMAFFEI AND RAMPF

KraussMaffei and RAMPF Giessharze agree a strategic partnership in high-pressure processing of polyurethane foam seals and gaskets

Munich/Grafenberg, September 24, 2010 – In future, KraussMaffei Technologies GmbH and RAMPF Giessharze will be working together at “high pressure”. The two companies have formalized their worldwide cooperation in the field of high-pressure polyurethane processing by signing a cooperation agreement. The long-awaited, single-sequence process to injection mold a part and immediately add a PUR seal is now a reality. The two cooperation partners in this project have both forged ahead with new technological developments. KraussMaffei contributes the mixing head for high-pressure metering of very small output volumes, RAMPF supplies the high-pressure sealing foams.

 

Customers profit from bundled specialist know-how

KraussMaffei and RAMPF Giessharze are now offering their new turnkey solution worldwide. It is of special interest to customers in the automotive and electrical sectors, but will also find application in other fields. KraussMaffei supplies the high-performance machinery and the successful multiprocess solution (injection molding plus a reaction process). RAMPF Giessharze contributes the polyurethane casting resin engineered for this specific application. “The customer profits from the combined know-how of both specialist partners, from expert advice and planning and optimized production processes,” was how Frank Peters from the Managing Board of KraussMaffei Technologies GmbH summed up the benefits of the cooperation for customers. The outcome is a continuous production process: the still-hot injection molded parts are immediately foamed with RAMPF material in a high-pressure process. The logistics effort is reduced and the cost eliminated, because parts need not be stored or even buffered between molding and foam application.
“Through close cooperation we’ve been able to expand our portfolio and offer an efficient, turnkey solution. RAMPF was able to supply materials that exactly met our specifications on schedule for the project. I’m delighted with this cooperation; it’s helping us to strengthen our position as an innovative, technology-driven company,” explains Peters.

 

New-generation foam sealants from RAMPF

“Both companies gain from the partnership. Developing the new system was a challenge for both partners. The partnership is promoting new technologies to supply individual solutions for our customers,” says Dr. Klaus Schamel, managing director of RAMPF Giessharze. His company has developed a new generation of sealing foams for high-pressure processing. “I can also see our potting and encapsulation resins, or our C.A.S.E. products, being processed under high pressure,“ says Schamel, looking to the future.

 

Benefits for sealing door modules, electrical boxes and switch cabinets

RAMPF’s first 2-component polyurethane system for KraussMaffei is RAKU-PUR® 35-3500 HD. It is ideal for sealing door modules, automotive fuse boxes or switch cabinets. The material is suitable for high-pressure processing. Parts are tackfree within one to five minutes – depending on the system. The properties of the seal are striking. It has a density from 200 g/l, extremely low water absorptive capacity and attractive appearance. The foam forms a defined skin and has excellent mechanical strength. RAKU-PUR® 35-3500 HD is available in various grades – from liquid to highly thixotropic.

 

Another new KraussMaffei development in reaction processing

Once again, KraussMaffei has taken high-pressure PUR processing a step further. The German engineering company has perfected its RimStar Nano PUR metering machine and its MK 3.5/5UL mixing head for total output rates as low as 3 g/s. The self-cleaning mixing head is designed to guarantee very good mixing of the components and a steady, residue-free pour of the PUR systems at very low output rates.