10 Brand & markets <strong>AHEAD</strong> Issue 01.20<strong>12</strong> Brand & markets PolyureThane (Pur) 75 yEARs olD AnD yoUng jUst tHE sAmE Kraussmaffei has process and machine expertise from 45 years of experience. TeXT: marKus BeTsche PhoTos: harald mehnerT HP-Rtm systEm laboratory production system for the hP-rTm process consisting of a rimstar thermal metering unit, a hP-rTm mixing head and an sFT-mX600 mold carrier
KraussMaffei Brand & markets P roducts made from polyurethane, commonly just referred to as PU or PUR, are a part of our daily plasticbased lives that can no longer be ignored. There are literally thousands of different types of polyurethane. All of which are fundamentally derived from an additional polymerization reaction between isocyanate and polyols. In the process, the multi-faceted chemistry allows almost unlimited property profiles for the finished components, from soft foams like auto mobile seat cushions to extremely light, high-strength carbon fiber composites. Polyurethane finds use in almost every industry and application area. It is a little-known fact that polyurethane actually represents a very young class of materials. Polyurethane's “birth certificate” is German Imperial Patent DRP 728,981 with priority dated November 13th, 1937. Inventor Otto Bayer was, one could say, the father of all types of polyurethane, which saw the light of day for the first time 75 years ago. PUR has been unlocking more and more new applications ever since and the end of this development is not in sight. KraussMaffei starts machine production at record pace KraussMaffei has been working with polyurethane chemistry and the necessary associated machines and systems for 45 years. And this makes KraussMaffei a pioneer in regard to the use of this material for plastics production. The starting gun went off in 1967 and just one year later, KraussMaffei was active on the market as a machine supplier. In the process, KraussMaffei focused on high pressure processing of PUR from the beginning. In close cooperation with raw material manu facturers and processors, new fields of application, machines and methods were being developed constantly – in rapid succession. You can find more information about some important events regarding our performance and innovation strengths in the adjacent list. Show of expertise at the NPE 20<strong>12</strong> trade show Just in time for the anniversary, the trade show location in Orlando made possible a live demonstration of polyurethane processing at NPE 20<strong>12</strong>. For the audience of American professionals, KraussMaffei demonstrated the manufacture of an armrest using the SkinForm method. In one machine, the injection-molded carrier was flow-coated with a foamed aliphatic type of polyurethane from Bayer MaterialScience with pleasant surface characteristics and outstanding UV resistance. “Krauss- Maffei's extensive Technology 3 expertise across the entire process chain was apparent at this machine” said Nicolas Beyl, Head of the Reaction Process Machinery Division at KraussMaffei. “The machines, automation, mold technology, and custom solutions were all from our company and unified our expertise.” In the USA, KraussMaffei Corporation and Proper Group International of Warren, Michigan have been cooperating since 2010 as part of a strategic partnership for turnkey solutions for processing polyurethane. YOUR CONTACT nicolas Beyl head of reaction Process machinery division Kraussmaffei Technologies gmbh nicolas.beyl@kraussmaffei.com nIcolAs bEyl has been the division head of reaction Process machinery since 1 February, 20<strong>12</strong>. 45 years oF Pur aT KraussmaFFei 1967 First developments and trials for manufacturing polyurethane furniture 1968 First special clamping unit with two rotating axes, called “moon-swing” 1970 Presentation of the first Kraussmaffei mixing head in successful production use 1972 First self-cleaning mixing head in the world with a recirculation groove 1973 export of the first Pur bumper system for an automotive industry customer in the usa 1974 delivery of the 100th Pur metering machine 1981 delivery of the 2,000th mixing head 1982 First transfer mixing head in the world and first twin-piston metering machine 1984 First dual hardness soft foam system 1985 delivery of the 50 KK machine with metering outputs of up to 8,000 cm³ per second 1989 largest piston metering machine in the world with up to 16,000 g/s 1991 development of the Pur recycling process; unveiling of continuous gas charging 1992 The in-mold coating process for an undercoat in a foam mold is presented at the K trade show 1993 systems for cFc-free foams 1995 initial presentation of the lFi Pur process unit at K 1996 start of lightweight design activities, first system for grP components 1999 lFi production system for the smart roof 2002 Founding of the “white goods” expertise center in abbiategrasso, italy 2005 First skin spray head in production use 2004 The skinForm method is presented at K for the first time 2005 start of mold-building activities for Pur, milling and custom solutions 2006 development and presentation of the first small-quantity, high-pressure mixing head 2007 skinForm large system for manufacturing interior door panel sections at K 2010 Presentation of the colorForm process at K 2011 complete hP-rTm system for manufacturing cFrP components; opening of the largest Techcenter for fiber composite technology (lightweight construction) in the world in munich 20<strong>12</strong> 45 years of Kraussmaffei reaction process machinery; First live demonstration of Pur processing at nPe in the usa 11
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