core sector communique

THE KRAUSSMAFFEI MK 30/36-12 LARGE VOLUME mixing head

Making large-format, LFI fiber composite parts

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Munich, September 3, 2010 – Demand for large-format structural parts with glassfiber reinforcement is growing steadily. KraussMaffei has responded to this trend with further development of its proprietary LFI-PUR technology. The company has now launched its MK 30/36-12 LFI-PUR processing unit. With an output rate of 1,500 g/s, the new large-volume mixing head enables processors to produce very large LFI parts without complicated set-up effort and even on an existing system. The new mixing head is also capable of handling new fillers, making it possible to produce parts with innovative properties in a simple and cost-competitive process.

 

Improved fiber wetting, higher output volumes

It’s over ten years since that KraussMaffei first launched LFI-PUR systems to produce structural parts reinforced with long glassfibers. Today’s systems can handle up to 300 g/s glassfiber. The glass roving is chopped in the cutter unit, wetted in the mixing head with the PUR system at up to 1,200 g/s, and simultaneously discharged into the open mold and pressed into shape. Demand for large-format bodywork parts with glassfiber reinforcement is growing steadily, especially for commercial and agricultural vehicles. KraussMaffei is responding to this trend with further development of its proprietary LFI-PUR technology. “As world market leader in LFI-PUR technology, we have the expertise to pursue new paths and to continuously develop our machinery and systems,” points out Josef Renkl, R&D Director of KraussMaffei’s Reaction Process Machinery division. “Optimized fiber wetting and output rates mean that our customers can now also use their existing LFI-PUR systems to produce much larger formats – in the same cycle time.” In the future KraussMaffei is looking to offer LFI processing units capable of rates up to 2,000 g/s.

 

MK 30/36-12 mixing head for large-format parts

KraussMaffei now offers the MK 30/36-12 as the optimal mixing head for the production of large-format parts; one of its major advantages is that it can be adapted without problems to operate with already installed systems. Neither the robots nor the control systems need to be reset. Furthermore the mixing head’s weight is in line with existing models. Since its market launch, the MK 30/36-12 has gone into operation with many well-known manufacturers of LFI parts. They’re producing parts with up to 50% glassfiber, depending on the part and the mechanical strength specifications.

 

Cost-effective processing of glass fibers and fillers

KraussMaffei’s LFI-PUR systems are also able to process combinations of glassfiber and fillers such as chalk, talcum or barium sulfate absolutely without problems. Filler content in the part can be up to 40% and glassfiber content up to 50%. The outcome is parts with innovative material properties. Tight control of the cost of raw materials results in an extremely cost-effective process.