Cooperation Institutes
Cooperation with institutes
Sustainability and efficient use of resources are currently a focus of research and development policy – also at Kurtz GmbH. In order to obtain further external competences, we are in constant exchange with different partners, especially in the field of research and development, particularly in applied research. In cooperation with recognized independent research institutes, such as the Fraunhofer Institute for Chemical Technology or Neue Materialien Bayreuth GmbH, we as Kurtz GmbH benefit from a mutual transfer through close cooperation with these external experts.
The Fraunhofer Institute for Chemical Technology (ICT), founded in 1959 and based in Pfinztal near Karlsruhe, conducts research primarily in the fields of chemical processes, energy systems, new propulsion systems, explosives technology and plastics technology. Well-equipped laboratories, equipped with the latest findings in safety and energy technology, as well as all analysis and test procedures required in research are established at the Fraunhofer ICT. Currently, the focus in the field of foams is on the production of compounds based on renewable raw materials.
The ICT has an RF WAVE FOAMER C, which enables the processing of particle foams by RF welding in laboratory operation.
Neue Materialien Bayreuth GmbH (NMB) is a non-academic state research institution, which is engaged in application-oriented material and process development for polymers, composites and metals. The main focus of its work is the development of new types of lightweight construction materials and associated processes as well as the clarification of the underlying process structure and property relationships. One focus is on tailor-made moulded parts made of foamed and fibre-reinforced plastics as well as on sandwich structures based on these materials. Experience in the use of modern polymer processing technologies and the availability of a well-equipped laboratory are incorporated in the development process. In addition to development work, NMB also carries out mould trials in the field of injection moulding and particle foam processing. In addition, it is possible to produce extrusion and autoclave foamed raw material using pre-expanders and automatic moulding machines.
At NMB an X-3 pre-expander, an ENERGY FOAMER and an RF WAVE FOAMER C are currently in laboratory operation.
The focus of the cooperation with ICT and NMB is the further development of the RF process, a particularly environmentally friendly process for welding particle foams. The focus is on well-known foams such as EPS, EPP, E-TPU etc., but particle foams that could not be welded up to now are also considered. The research institutes support us with the production of corresponding test specimens, their characteristics and with the subsequent evaluation of the results obtained.
As Kurtz GmbH we use the additional resources and possibilities offered by the laboratories located there. This allows, for example, the rapid execution of various pre-expansion processes, but also material modifications to achieve tailor-made particle foam properties, which in turn contribute to the optimization of our RF process. Basic tests based on compact materials also play a significant role. Thus, conclusions about the processing behavior of the particle foam can already be drawn on a cell basis. This information can then be incorporated into our joint process simulation, which ultimately enables us to optimize the manufacturing process.
The parties involved would like to intensify their successful cooperation in the context of publicly funded development projects. The expertise of users from the automotive and transport, energy and environment, and chemical and process engineering sectors should also be incorporated. In these projects, the research institution often takes over the coordination, while Kurtz GmbH is a partner as a mechanical engineer and expert in the production of moulded parts.