July 28, 2010Germany-based groups Plasmatreat (a specialist in atmospheric plasma technology) and Ceracon (a producer of foam sealing systems) have teamed up to create a unique solution that will make its debut at K 2010.
In existing injection moulding processes, polyurethane foams have been known to stick to the mould, costing the manufacturers time and money in cleaning materials. In many cases the inner side of the mould is sprayed with a release agent before moulding, however this carries the risk that harmful chemicals in the agent might leave a deposit on the finished product. Another alternative is to apply a more durable coating, but this process tends to be a long and costly one, as the mould must first be demounted, then sent to a specialist company for the removal of the old coat and the deposit of the new one, before being sent back and remounted.
At the K show, Plasmatreat and Ceracon will demonstrate the atmospheric plasma technology Openair, allegedly makes the processing of polyurethane by in-mould coating and in-mould regeneration simpler and cleaner. The innovative green coating process is called Plasmaplus and is a new method of selective anti-adhesion coating, which takes place inside the PUR injection mould. The anti-adhesion effect is generated by a plasma polymerization in the mould, without any release agents or other wet chemicals. In addition, the removal and replacement of the old coating is no longer necessary, as the plasma can regenerate the old coating whilst in the mould itself.
