WICKERT Special Large Rubber Elements

special 

Large Rubber Elements 

Large, Larger, Gigantic 

Vacuum Chamber Presses for Large Seals and Gaskets 

Europe’s and possible also the worlds largest vacuum chamber press is operated by Merkel Freudenberg Fluidtechnik GmbH in their 

Hamburg Works. Produced are more than 7000 standard seals of practically any specified materials for hydraulic components and for 

about 5000 further pneumatic applications as well as stuffing boxes. The production programme also encompasses seals and gaskets 

for very large pistons and shafts. 

Dipl.-Ing. Niedermayer, technical manager, responsible also for maintenance, and decision maker for investments of Merkel Freudenberg 

Fluidtechnik GmbH in Hamburg explained characteristics required of a press for highgrade large-size seals and why the press was 

ordered from Wickert. 

Promising Technical Base Data 

Major task of the 1600 tonnes press 

commissioned this year for three shift 

operation is the production of large size 

ring sealings and gaskets (up to 180 

cm diameter). Such sealings made of 

various diameters are manufactured in 

small series of 1 to 50 items. The here 

introduced and used plant is equipped 

for the processing of a wide range of 

materials. 

Further features: 

a) Double slide table with which press 

capacity and thus productivity could be 

increased and the 

b) For this size of press unusually low 

operating height of only 875 mm. Due to 

the downstroke principle employed, pit 

and platform could be dispensed with. 

Now one after the other starting with 

It all Depends on the 

Specifications Submitted 

The processing engineer active in the 

company since 30 years and a renowned 

expert in his field advises every investor 

to prepare a detailed specification for 

the contemplated press. He should never 

neglect to consult not only the engineer 

but also the economist. Of importance 

is in this respect also the opinion of 

the designated machine operator who, 

according to the Freudenberg tradition, 

is invariably heard within the procurement 

process. 

Klaus Niedermayer could for the “basic 

decision” draw on his 30 years experience 

as production manager with 

Merkel. Of major importance for him is 

also the opinion of the investment team 

respectively of the engineering skill and 

knowledge offered by Dipl.-Ing. Detlef 

Godpersen, who in the ‘80th partially 

developed the presses required for the 

activities of the company. This knowhow 

and the critical answer to the question 

“what should be the features of the 

press” and also the open mind in paying 

special: Large Rubber Elements 

regard to the competent advice of the 

press makers were at the root of the 

decision arrived at. 

Why a Wickert Press? 

The vacuum chamber technology was 

asked for as the Hamburg works had 

already made excellent experience over 

years with such a press obtained form 

a foreign manufacturer. Why not then 

decide for a new and updated plant from 

this source? Because the manufacturer 

in question has ceased production. Klaus 

Niedermayer points out that investment 

safety figures as top priority for Merkel 

Freudenberg Fluidtechnik. Presses last 

for many years and our partner should 

be in business for 10 or even 20 years 

and always available. It is also noted 

that WICKERT presses are already operated 

in many of the Freudenberg works 

which facilitates a certain standardisation 

of the machine fleet. This applies also 

if more than one supplier is of forsafety 

reasons – same as in other companies 

– availed of. The excellent experience 

made for approx. 15 years with WICKERT 

presses in Hamburg has of course contributed 

to making a decision for this 

company. The reputation of WICKERT as 

a flexible supplier, paying full regard to 

customer specifications and arriving at 

the most competent solution as result of 

combined developing efforts is another 

argument in favour of entrusting this 

company with the investments. 

Wickert Maschinenbau GmbH · Wollmesheimer Höhe 2 · D-76829 Landau/Pfalz · Tel. ++49 (0) 63 41 -93 43 - 0 · info@wickert-presstech.de · www.wickert-presstech.de

With the slogan “one by itself has not 

the potential to solve all technical problems” 

applies in every respect to the 

Hamburg specialists for large seals. 

This demands for genuine teamwork 

on which the press designer and the 

processor participate if complex projects 

are to be realised. A press off the hook 

will hardly satisfy, required is a machine 

matching products and environment. 

This is specially made obvious in the 

construction respectively operating 

height. Adequate attention is not always 

paid by suppliers to the ergonomic 

demands. The installed WKP 16000 S 

requires neither a pit nor platform. To 

bend down for loading a press in the pit 

with a small O-ring may be sportive but 

hardly ergonomic. It is a problem made 

obsolete with the WKP S. The operator 

on the shop floor reaches easily every 

point on the press table. This is important 

as in view of the piece number 

further automation of handling systems 

is not practical, considering the required 

setup times. 

The Major Data for the WKP 

16000 S 

The four-column downstoke press of 

the Type WKP 16000 S offers not only 

a cycle time accelerating double-sided 

diameter, a vacuum chamber, the already 

mentioned double-slide table, a PTFE 

special control and many other details 

rendering it into an enormous efficient 

manufacturing plant. 

The main piston of the Merkel Freudenberg 

press equipped with a reduntend 

special sealing system Syprim + Nutring 

T 20 of Freudenberg. The heat plates are 

cut from solid blanks and steam heated. 

Three steam control circuits supervise 

the rated and actual temperature as well 

as the steam pressure. A highly effective 

heat protection plate is placed between 

heating and pressure plates. The WKP 

16000 S being equipped with a 10 mm 

particle filter for the high pressure, flow 

and of the hydraulic system and thus 

enhance the availability of the plant. 

Vacuum chamber upper and bottom 

parts are of stainless (aluminium) material 

are provided with integrated pressure 

respectively subpressure sensors 

and the appropriate control system for 

evacuation and ventilation. 

Control range for press power 1000-16000 kN 

Piston stroke 600 mm 

Heat plate temperature tolerance + 2°C 

Locking speed 3-80 mm/s 

Pressing speed 0.2-7 mm/s 

Hydraulic performance 37 kW 

Travel distance of slide table 2300 mm 

Permissible tool weight 5000 kg 

Double Sliding 

This indicates an intelligent means of 

slide movements realised on this press. 

Both slide tables have hydro-drives of 

their own. One of the tables may thus 

remain outside the press while the other 

is moved in and out. A position regulator 

ensures safety, the bottom heat plate 

serves for product quality. Every table 

has a bottom counter vacuum pot of its 

own. An optimum locking profile and 

also the best possible cycle time being 

achieved with pressure-depending switching 

from rapid to pressing movement. 

Two Tools, Two Press Parameters 

one Press 

Employed on the WKP 16000 S may, due 

to completely self-sufficient machine 

programmes, two different tools with 

each two different press parameters. 

The slide table in the press decides the 

programme to be machined. The utilization 

time of the machine is thus better 

exploited, yet the handling of the mould, 

especially such consisting of several 

parts has to be controlled. 

Customer Tailored Control 

For WICKERT it is a matter of course that 

programmes are conceived to customer 

specification. The operating surface is 

equal to the standard of an industrial PC. 

The operating philosophy and available 

display pages with the company-specific 

vocabulary is made use of. 

A Hotline 

The large-scale press installed in Hamburg 

has never left completely its 

birthplace: Data may be exchanged day 

and night per ISDN modem with the 


WICKERT diagnosis centre if so required. 

A qualified cost and time saving assistance 

provides for a high plant availability. 

Granted is a 5 year warranty for 

mechanical component – certainly not 

offered by the automotive industry. 

Installation and 

commissioning O.K. 

The supply time was reasonable for a 

plant of this complexity and size “The 

rapid transition to production activity 

is owned to the competence of the 

installation team”. Together with participating 

field staff of Merkel Freudenberg 

Fluidtechnik two of the WICKERT staff, 

one for the technical equipment and for 

the electronic hardware worked in full 

harmony with Merkel field staff. The seal 

manufacture asked after installation 

for further optimising steps in regard to 

software which was complied with. The 

responsible engineers Godbersen and 

Niedermayer stated on conclusion of 

the work: “We complement WICKERT for 

adhering to the very complex and extensive 

specification”. Klaus Niedermayer 

devotes this time to the family when not 

engaged with “his press” or contemplating 

on new projects. 


For Comfort and Safety 

Innovative Presses for Intelligent Air Suspension Systems 

Air suspension systems are a synonym for driving safety and optimum comfort in rolling stock, commercial vehicles, buses and sports 

vehicles. The “Electronic Air Suspension Systems EAS” adapt themselves automatically to the load conditions and in combination with 

an electronic stabilisation programme (ESP) specially effectively and thus cope even with critical driving conditions. Major component 

of the air suspension is the spring membrane. Produced with diameters between 80 and 850 mm and spring excursions of up to 500 

mm. The carrying capacity being given as 0.5 to 250 kN. WICKERT was asked to offer a twin press with self-sufficient locking units for 

producing such fabric membranes of the specified quality. 

Realised with the WICKERT Modular 

Construction System 

The locking units of the press are to provide 

a retention force of each 500 kN. 

Investigated for this purpose where the 

potentials of the WICKERT standard press 

WKP 500 S. Such presses are equipped 

with only one of these units. This, however, 

was for the WICKERT staff not an 

insurmountable problem. By modifying 

the WKP 500 S two of these presses were 

combined to form one unit. 

Heating and Cooling Perfectly 

Controlled 

A precise control for steam and caliqua is 

made possible by the software modules 

conceived just for these tasks. Used for 

heating is overheated steam regulated by 

a proportional pressure control. Available 

for the bellows heating is caliqua, also 

exposed to pressure of up to 25 bar. Also 

proportional pressure controlled is the 

press air for the preswelling of the heating 

bellows which collapse under vacuum. 

Water is employed for cooling heating 

under vacuum. Water is employed 

for cooling heating bellows and moulds. 

In this particular case the valve stock has 

been constructed to the specification of 

the customer, controls comply with the 

specified function diagram. 

Faulty Operation being Prevented 

Wrong operation is reliably prevented as 

steam and caliqua are electronically and 

mechanically “interlocked” towards the 

press, so that any inadvert action is safely 

prevented. Two highly professional busoperated 

SPS control the two-station press. 

The data output of the touch panel is in 

the language of the operator, may however 

also be in German. 

Press Stations Independent of Each 

Other 

The layout of the hydraulics system 

makes it possible to operate the press 

stations independently of each other. 

Used for this purpose are the two 

installed axial-piston pumps with each a 


closed pressure and delivery control. This 

system benefits from the advantages of 

group hydraulics: Simple maintenance, 

reasonable procuring costs. 

Only Half the Tool Changing Time 

Rapid tool changing time being achieved 

with a nonheated magnet clamping system 

for each of the locking unit. 

Integrated in the steam heat plates is a 

permanent magnet system which clamps 

the tool parts with a force of 10 kp/m 2 . In 

the case spring membrane tools generate 

the clamping force of 190 kN (19 to), a 

force far superior to that of the former 

screw connection. Tool changing time 

could with the magnet clamping system 

reduced by than halve. 


For the Aimed at Quality 

Completely Selfmade Couplings 

Maschinenfabrik Dipl.-Ing. Herwarth Reich GmbH, Bochum develop and manufacture shaft couplings now for more than 50 years for 

the mechanical engineering industry. Being the only German company of its kind they also produce the required rubber elements to 

the latest state of art in their field. 

The diversity of coupling equals their 

scope of application. Vessels, cranes 

and excavators require couplings of an 

appropriate strength for the transmission 

of high forces. Asked of the couplings 

is utmost reliability at very long maintenance 

intervals. This applies also to wind 

power generators, power turbines and, 

of course, machines. The manufacture of 

such couplings demands for utter care 

in regard to materials and production 

processes. These specialists for flexible 

shaft couplings have only recently commissioned 

each one WKP 8000 S and 

WKP 4000 S. These presses with 4000 

respectively 8000 kN press capacity (at 

250 bar) being used for the production 

of large elastomer couplings to the 

transfer process with injection volumes 

of up to 30 l/shot. 

The downstroke system 

made use of make operations 

with comparative 

quick cycle times feasible. 

Vacuum chamber provide 

for a high process safety 

being additionally enhanced 

by the intuitively, 

operated press control 

software “Press-Easy”. By 

taking recourse to only 

high grade components 

and materials, the reduntent 

special seal system 

for the main piston and 

the sophisticated hydraulics 

drives render these 

presses to ideal plants 

for the production tasks 

described. 

The hydraulic system make these presses 

especially economical. The transfer 

cylinder can be entirely retracted from 

the machine thus offering an optimum 

accessibility. Remarkable is the highly 

effective ejection, which expels the rubber 

article from the mould with a power 

of 30 tonnes. The generously dimensioned 

ejector is required to overcome the 


high adhesion of the coupling rubber 

agent in the removal process. Wherever 

you see a rescue boat, such as those of 

the Guardia Costeria in Italy or excavators 

and heavy commercial vehicles on 

any construction site in the world – it 

may well contain something of the Reich 

Works and thus also of WICKERT. 


Cold Pressed as Highgrade Olive Oil 

Rubber Parts to the Cold Channel-Transfer Process with 25 l 

Shot Volume 

The Franz Stickling GmbH with works in Ahlen and Siegburg manufacture among other large volume rubber parts such as ram buffer, 

seats for cableways, seals and roller cladding. The production of buffers for trucks and trailer was, until the WICKERT WKP 8000 S was 

taken in use, carried out to the conventional method i.e. to the hot channel transfer system. This necessitated stripping of the transfer 

skin after every cycle and disposal of the waste. This method was to be converted to a more efficient and less waste producing one, 

with the aim of saving material, disposal of waste and also on manpower as required for stripping the transfer skin. 

Cold Channel Transfer Instead of 

Hot Channel System 

The solution: instead of hot channel 

transfer the utilization of a transfer system 

with temperature stabilised transfer 

pot (cold channel transfer system). It is a 

process offering two deceive advantages: 

For one the residual cake in the transfer 

pot remains due to the low temperature 

unvulcanised and the rubber mixture can 

in the next cycle by processed to moulded 

part. Secondly the required amount of 

the rubber mixture will be topped up for 

every cycle so that there is no need for 

stripping the transfer skin. 

Solution with the Standard Modular 

System 

Flow behaviour is reduced by the lower 

temperature so that approx. 20 to 30 % 

higher injection pressure are required for 

the cold transfer system. A series press of 

the Type WKP 8000 S was to be adapted 

to the special demands made by the “cold 

moulding”. The technical staff of wickert 

rendered the standard plant into one 

being suited for low temperature. This 

involved the preheating of the rubber 

mixture and, of course, a cold-channel 

transfer system. The downstroke press, 

with a weight of 30 to, produced a press 

force of 8000 kN at 80 bar. Heat plates 

being 700 x 700 m in size. 

Optional Tuning 

For achieving a special fast production, 

the hydraulic unit had to be constructed 

for increased traversing speeds during 

opening and closing (100 mm/s instead 

of standard 50 mm/s). The pressing 

action is also increased from 4 to 7 mm/s. 

This equals an injection capacity of 1.8 l/s 

to reach the designated production capacity 

the press was also provided with a 

piston stroke which exceeds the standard 

stroke by 300 mm including a standard 

installation height for the pressure plate 

increased from 700 mm to 1000 mm. 

This extra on speed and piston stroke is 

offered by WICKERT as “standard” features 

i.e. as option for the series standard 

equipment). 


Remote Maintenance via Modem 

With the Wickert Easy-Press control and 

the modem for remote maintenance 

the WPK 8000 S is certainly abreast of 

its time. Without leaving their base, the 

Wickert specialists can monitor the press 

via modem and ISDN line and thus correct 

respectively optimate production 

processes. 


Editor: Why do you expect such excellent 

marketing potentials for the downstroke 

presses? 

Herzinger: 

The new four-column downstroke presses 

offer, also in the case of presses with 

more than 1000 tonnes, an ergonomically 

appreciated installation height. Required 

for operating the WKP S are neither a pit 

nor a platform. Costs are thus already 

saved as to installation, particularly if 

the plant is to be extended in scope. Free 

access greatly facilitates, for instance, 

integration of automation components. 

Editor: Are there differences as to efficiency 

in comparison with upstroke presses? 

Herzinger: 

We could thus realise essentially quicker 

cycle times, also with the faster travel 

motions. Our completely updated new 

press hydraulics contributes to the reduced 

cycle times. Shorter cycles cause 

obviously also lower piece costs. 

Editor: For which capacities are these presses 

offered by Wickert? 

Herzinger: The new WKP S presses are 

constructed to the modular principle and 

offered with a capacity of 100 to 1200 

tonnes. Smaller presses and such for up 

to 10,000 to are part of other series. 

The downstroke presses encompass the 

entire knowhow gained with upstroke 

ones. This includes heat plates with fourzone 

regulation for optimum heat distribution 

and the utmost plane-parallelity, 

just to mention some of the features. 

Added to this is the “Press-Easy” control 

for intuitive operation – this applies also 

to all future WICKERT presses. 

Editor: “Modular” is a term frequently 

used but on close scrutiny does not always 

satisfy the promises made in respect to 

rationalising of “Series Production”. In 

many instances the praised software assistance 

proves to be rather unproductive. 

How is it with WICKERT? 

Herzinger: 

New Downstroke Press Series from WICKERT 

Use was in the rubber industry commonly made of presses of the upstroke type. With the new Type Series WKP S a new method will 

gain preference, of this the staff in Landau is convinced. On occasion of the trade fair “K” a new type of downstroke version was introduced. 

The special features and capacities of the new presses were explained by Dipl.-Ing. Stefan Herz, specialist for economic aspects 

who as managing director of WICKERT Maschinenbau GmbH is, among other responsibilities, head of the marketing department. 

Let us first deal with the software. All of 

the process sequences with all the relevant 

parameters can be simply preprogrammed 

with the “Easy-Press” and thus 

configurated. It is a system successfully 

applied on untold occasion on the shop 

floor; it allows as verified for a very simple, 

clearly structurized process. The wall 

appointed and intuitively arranged operating 

surface follows the touch screen 

commands. A concept which not on reduces 

schooling but also avoids errors. This 

has been testified by responses received 

from the operator of machines of this 

type already delivered. 

Now on the subject of “modular concept”. 

For more than 20 years we at WICKERT 

work with a kind of modular construction 

system. A system similar to that 

employed by Lego and Fischer for their 

technical boxes for children. The WICKERT 

box of components can assemble efficient 

presses within a reasonable time 

and at an attractive price/performance 

ratio, this applies also unrestricted to 

highly complex and efficient machines. A 

system offering obvious advantages. Our 

customer can rely that only high grade 

and tried and thus operationally safe 

standard components are made use of. 

This enables to grant also for new models 

a warranty of five years for all mechanical 

components. It is thus possible that, 

despite standardisation machines can 

within a wide scope be assembled in 

compliance with customer specification 

and to meet individual demands. Our 

machines are tailor-made. 

Editor: What exactly means customer 

specified version or even tailor-made” to 

WICKERT really? 

Can a potential customer confront you 

with special wishes? 

Herzinger: 

There is hardly one press plant same as 

another. Requirements differ too much. 

Supplied for the WKP S series are all for 

rubber processing available options such 

a stroke units and slide tables, vacuum 


Stefan Herzinger “points to further innovations” 

during a works tour on occasion of the company 

anniversary 

chamber or ejector. Customers have the 

choice between gravimetric and volumetric 

dosing and automation components 

for material feeding and unloading of 

parts. Feasible is also a “optional standard” 

press enclosure for the use of 

exhausting systems. 

The possibility of refining can be compared 

to the extras available for the high 

class of cars. 

Customers confront, at an ever increasing 

rate, with certain required material properties 

and product ideas and ask us how 

they can be realised? 

We regard ourselves as developing 

partners of the rubber processors, the 

processor of thermoset-materials and 

thermoplasts, manufacturers of brake 

and friction lining and the manufactured 

of powder mouldings. 

Editor: 

Have you with these fields of application 

also described those of the new downstroke 

piston presses. Will these plants exploit 

new avenues respectively a specific market? 

Herzinger: 

You are right in your assumption. The list 

of application fields for the WKP S is not 

complete, missing on the list is the use in 

inlaboratories. 

Editor: Thank you for the interview. 


Special Requests are Taken for Granted 

Vulcanising Presses with Special Equipment for France 

At the K 98 M. Pajot, Production Manager of the SOCATEX SA got acquainted with the vulcanising press of the Type WKP 12 000. Discussed 

already at the fair stand was the possible equipping of this machine with an additional oil pump, which was to monitor not only 

flow but also pressure. It was to have also a proportional control valve for allowing a rapid and controlled decompression. This being 

the s at the first meeting. 

This press was to be employed for the 

possible most efficient and effective 

manufacture of foam rubber panels. 

The blanks processed have a weight 

of 20 kg at a length of up to 1100 mm 

and a width of 400 mm. Panels of such 

weight and size demand obviously for a 

handling system for automatic loading 

of the moulds. These potentials were 

not within the scope of the basic machine 

version. For WICKERT such special 

requirement were a “normal” confrontation 

as customer request frequently 

surpass standard functions respectively 

equipment. Even the demand that all 

three levels of the press were to be opened 

simultaneously at the possibly highest 

speed did not really upset the technical 

staff in Lindau as even the standard 

IDS simultaneous locking system offers 

the requested longitudinal synchronity. 

The question of rapid simultaneous opening 

from bottom to top was though for 

the French production manager crucial. 

Stephane Pajot enquired therefore as to 

the maximum tolerance between plates 

during the opening. An important detail 

was for him also the resistance of this 

system to openings caused by material 

expansion. In this connection he informed 

himself of the function of the synchronisation 

system which was also to 

include the lateral one. 

The mechanical ruggedness, the safety 

of the locking pressure independ of the 

locking path, the vulnerability, to faults 

and wear and tear to be expected are 

further questions WICKERT had to answer 

prior to any investment decision, 

SOCATEX was finally convinced of this 

concept. The extensive efficency for 

operational safety was fully taken into 

account by providing the WKP 12 000 

with a light barrier in place of protective 

screens. The locking system of the 

machine operates to the suction principle. 

It was designed for a high planeparallelity 

and flexural rigidity. Wickert 

could assure that the parallelity during 

the opening process equals that of the 

moulds i.e. approx. 1/10 mm. 

The plants meets all demands as to environmental 

work protection aspects by 

being equipped with an all comprehensive 

exhaustion system. 

At a 12000 tonnes locking force and a 

maximum stroke of the locking cylinder 

of 600 mm, required was a spacing of 

250 mm between the levels. Further 

details realised prior to the delivery of 

the vulcanising press are heat plates of 

1740 x 1000 mm and a max. tool height 

of 75 mm. 

Integrated Thermal Oil 

Integrated was a 

thermoil heating with 

primary and secondary 

circuit and the appropriate 

temperature 

control. This heating 

system produces 250 

kW. Temperature distribution 

of the parallel 

switched heat plate 

reaches an excellent 

value of +/- 15°C. 

Automated Heavy, 

Stock Transport 

The almost 1.5 m long 

girders of the handling 

system, each charged 

with an up to 20 kg 

heavy blanks, subsequentlysimultaneously 

loaded. This pneumatically 

operated 

handling system reaches 

at a travel length 

of 1500 mm a speed of 

200 and 300 mm/sec. 

Easy to Maintain, 

Comfortably Operated 

The WKP 12 000 is 

despite all the descri- 


bed modifications easily accessible. All of 

the hydraulics blocks and control valves 

are well appointed and can be adjusted 

on the operators desk. 

The up-to-date IDS proportional technique 

offers special merits particular by the 

insertion of new moulds by saving time. 

With the machine described WICKERT 

demonstrate once more how existing 

plants can be modified or expanded to 

meet customer specifications and to 

achieve a maximum on efficiency and 

productivity in every individual case. 


Moulded Mats 

For more Comfortable Car 

Foot mats for the automotive industry figure also on the production programme of the US concern Collins & Aikman. These textile 

mats are manufactured as moulded parts with a rubberised backing in, among others, their Gent works. Available were only five month 

for the complete assembly of the production line in Belgium from the order received for the machine development to start of series 

production. The obligation towards the automotive industry had to be strictly adhered to. Time delays had to be avoided at all costs. In 

the placing the order every risk had to be excluded. To be developed and constructed were to be a total of three presses. A decision was 

formed for WICKERT. 

1000 t press in use at Collins & Aikmann 

Double Rationalised 

A very special feature of this 8-level 

upstroke vulcanising press is the socalled 

“Mould Puller”. This system travels automatically 

into the different levels respectively 

unloads them. Operated by two 

man, this machine can be operated from 

the front or rear or from both sides. The 

operator moves vertically on a hoisting 

platform together with the loading/ 

unloading unit to the individual levels 

without interfering with the monitoring 

and acknowledging function. In a closed 

press condition the operator inserts the 

tool elements suspended from a hook 

and releases the sections. Opening and 

changing times of the puller are supervised. 

Simplest Possible Operation, 

Reliable Control 

To be ensured was to be an optimum on 

machine availability. The Mould Puller 

can be lifted and lowered with a position 

accuracy of but 5 mm. The present cycle 

status of the press is displayed to the 

operator with a light column, the operator 

is thus at all times informed of the 

process step carried out. 

The process parameters 

and the editing 

of 20 formula 

are monitored by 

the SPS. A touchscreen 

display 

visualises the data 

for the process 

management and 

the checking. Data 

protection ensures 

that the formula 

pages are inaccessible 

to unauthorised 

person. The 

demands of QS 

management coincides 

the possibility of 

collecting cycle data 

and of given alarm if the limit values are 

exceeded. A six channel monitoring system 

serves for recording of the processes 

parameters such as: 

Lifting platform of the 10000 tonnes press with loading/unloading fixture 


•Present cycle time 

•Pressure applied to press cylinder 

•Plate temperature 

•Steam volume per hour 

•Cooling water temperature, front 

•Cooling water temperature, rear 

These features provide for a rapid cycle 

and direct quality assurance at a maximum 

of fail-safe operation. 

The scissors hoisting table provides allround 

protection. Construction of the 

hoisting platform and the entire press 

operation meet the CE regulations even 

without light barrier, protective screens 

etc. 

It has not to be all 

Levels at all Times 

The design of the press allows that only a 

part of the levels are loaded at one time 

providing thus for a flexible operation. 


Depending on the kind of production it 

may be desirable to exploit the plant only 

to a preselected capacity. The doubleacting 

locking cylinders are located on 

the sides and permit fast closing. 

Permanently Heated 

Heating of the vulcanising press, based 

on the WKP 15000 series, is made per 

steam. Manufacturing is carried out on 

eight level with a press force of 15,000 

kN on a press surface of 1600 x 1200 mm. 

Tools already in a retracted condition 

heated for maintaining the processing 

temperature after are new insertion. Temperature 

of each heat plate is carefully 

ever and the average value of all of the 

heat plates serves as control information 

for the regulation acquired of steam 

pressure and flow volume. Equipment of 

the press includes steam and condensate 

dissipation. The press was to be delivered 

with all steam hoses, separators and Ybranches. 

Prolonged Service Life Due to 

Generous Dimensioning 

The press cylinder with two 32” diameter, 

36” stroke are machined of high grade 

steel: The hydraulic cylinder for together 

2000 tonnes at 2500 psi are designed for 

maximum 3000 psi and offer thus, based 

on calculations, a very high safety potential 

to which also the rigidity contributes, 

expressed in a prolonged service life. 

Crane Fixture for Maintenance 

Checking of the tools has been facilitated. 

With a steel girder construction, placed 

on the vulcanising press enable the posi- 


tioning of a crane directly on the machine 

for convenient opening and closing of 

moulds. 

A powerful crane was required for the 

transport. The customer requested the 

construction and assembly to a method 

that the plant can for possible later shifting 

to another location quickly and at 

moderate costs dismantled and reassembled. 

Drivers of motor vehicle frequently 

rest their feet on mats produced on a 

WICKERT machine and enjoy the comfort 

and appearance of these mats made on 

WICKERT vulcanising presses. 


Cleaning Simpler and Faster 

Advanced Version of Vacuum Chamber Presses 

For Elastomer Production 

The new type series of WPK vacuum presses offer a number of decisive merits: Savings on cycle time, reliable exhausting of surplus 

release agent as well as automated tool plate manipulation. What really impresses: Existing presses can be retrofitted with components 

for cycle time saving. 

The subpressure reservoir ingeniously 

connected per SPS with a vacuum pump 

effects a cycle time saving at a magnitude 

of approx. 15 %. For the conventional 

plants one had to reckon with an evacuation 

time of 20 to 30 seconds; this period 

could for the new system be reduced to 

only 5 to 8 seconds. 

Retrofitting at Reasonable Costs 

The extra investment costs for these time 

savings version amounts to but a few 

thousand Euro, the extra productivity 

however very rapidly pays for itself. The 

retrofitting of existing vacuum presses 

consist of the subpressure reservoir 

plumbing and the electrical hardware 

and software modules. One of the essential 

assembly units contributing to saving 

on cycle time on the new vacuum chamber 

presses is the fluidic optimating of 

the hydraulic connections. 

The vacuum chamber presses, Type WKP 

allows for a further reduction of the cycle 

time by simultaneous locking/opening of 

the subsequent travel motions. 

New is also the heating while the vacuum 

is actually generated. Produced by 

these means is an extraordinary high 

temperature constancy in the tool with 

direct consequence for the mould quality. 

Positively influenced are productivity 

and maintenance efforts by the reliable 

exhausting of surplus release agent from 

the vacuum chamber made possible by 

the special positioning of vacuum connection 

and separator (as for instance 

cyclone) thus reducing contamination in 

the chamber itself. 


The new vacuum presses of the Type 

WKP may be supplied as standard version 

without automation components and as 

WKP Automatic e.g. with fixtures automating 

the separation of the tool plates, 

which are then moved to exhaustion 

position respectively are slewed. The first 

of these machines were, by the way, delivered 

to the Dätwyler AG in Switzerland 

where they operate to the utter satisfaction 

of their users in the USA. 


Die 6 besonderen Vorteile der Vakuumkammerpressen WKP 

1) Subpressure storage tank, for intelligent 

function per SPS and interlinked 

with a moderately priced vacuum pump. 

2) Modular part for cycle time savings 

with the vacuum chamber press is also 

the fluidic optimation of the connections 

3) A further reduction of the cycle time is 

realised by simultaneous locking/opening 

of vacuum chamber and press. 

4) Heating can be continue while vacuum 

is generated. 

In Place of Two Single Machines 

C-Column Press Saves on Investments 


5) Reliable exhausting of surplus release 

agent from the vacuum chamber. 

6) May be supplied 

with tool 

plate manipulator 

(see Fig.) 

The machine frame and two opening are the conspicuous features of the WKP C press depicted. Costs of these machine are distinctively 

lower as those for two single machines of the same productivity. Machines of this type produce in continuous operation “endlessly” 

products such as handrails for elevators and drive chains for piece good conveyors but also expansion joints for tunnel construction, 

embankment dams and power stations. Special speed is achieved inresetting. Users of this press can e.g. instead of 8 hours accomplish 

resetting to a new article with 30 minutes. 

Produced on the Wickert C-column presses 

are rubber chains for piece goods 

conveyors of the U.S. postal service same 

vertical and horizontal conveyors for 

airports. High demands are made on the 

end product making production at an 

extremely high precision as dire necessity! 

The plant shown in the photograph 

without ancillary equipment represents 

an example. Dimensional deviations are 

due to the high rigidity (no distortion) 

and the plane-parallelity to all practical 

purposes excluded. The design as such 

and by taking recourse to the 

finite element technology 

it was possible 

to transfer these 

characteristica 

from the display 

screen of the 

designer to 

the locking 

unit (not without 

drawing 

on the high 

mechanical 

skill of the engineering 

staff). 

Contributing to 

the outstanding machining accuracy is 

also the temperature control for the heat 

plates. Optimum heat distribution could 

be realised by dividing heat plates into 

several control zones. Steam or hot water 

heating is optional as specified by the 

designate user. 

According to the tasks to be accomplished 

upstream and downstream processes 

can be automated with ex-work and 

locally supplied components. Such components 

– ex-work or locally integrated 

– are always included in the machine 

control and the safety 

concept of Wickert. 

The Wicker Ccolumn 

presses 

are delivered 

with toolholder 

and quick-clamping 

system. 

The latter 

being mechanically 

operated 

with hydraulic 

assistance. The 

clamping unit is 

very rugged and, 

other than the hydraulic version, of a high 

operational safety. 

C-Big Size Press in Place C-Double 

Column Press 

Produced on this high-capacity machine 

are facade facings of steel panels with 

elastomer core. 

The plant is equipped with automation 

components. Cycle time saving being 

achieved with the double slide table for 

automatic tool and thus also workpiece 

transport on by presses with two work 

levels. This unique machine concept will 

always double the output.

WICKERT Special Large Rubber Elements

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