Plastics

Plastics

Multilayer pipe extrusion (Co-extrusion)

With THz technology, individual layer thicknesses can be measured inline in the multilayer pipe extrusion process (co-extrusion). This allows a precise regulation and optimization, with savings in energy and raw material, which does not hinder quality assurance.

Blow-extrusion films / cast-sheet

OCT technology provides real-time high-resolution images of the inner structure of plastics, e.g., the layer construction of a multilayer film. You can determine the thickness of the inner layers right inline during the production process with an accuracy of less than 1 micrometer and adjust your processes (blow-extrusion film or cast-sheet) for an optimal production!

Innenstruktur stark streuender Materialien

Sie möchten innere Strukturen z. B. in Industriekeramik, gefüllten Polymeren oder Lacken und Verbundwerkstoffen untersuchen? Oft wird diese Inspektionsaufgabe durch starke Streuungseffekte behindert. Durch den Einsatz der OCT (Optischen Kohärenztomographie) im mittleren Infrarotbereich oder unserer neuesten Quantum-Sensorik-Technologien können wir diese Probleme überwinden und eine größere Prüftiefe bei einer axialen Auflösung von immer noch 8 µm bieten.

Plastic parts

The OCT technology can be used for the online monitoring of dynamic processes, as the OCT images are generated in real-time. If you visualize the local distribution of internal stress in plastic parts you can avoid problems with your components!

Hidden (adhesive-) layers

With the Terahertz technology (THz) it is possible to look through relatively thick plastic layers and test hidden layers non-destructively (e.g. adhesive layers). The terahertz waves used are not harmful for health (no ionizing radiation), but still make it possible to look inside many optically non-transparent materials.

Fiber directions in composite materials

Do you want to gain a deeper insight and understanding of interior properties of your fiber-reinforced plastics? Are you interested in the anisotropies of your components or do you need to determine the orientation of the fibers inside a CFRP-injection moulded component?
We can help with our Terahertz-Technology (THz), OCT technology, and Laser-Ultrasound Technology.

Multilayer systems and welding seams in polymer films

Multilayer-films carry great importance especially in the food industry. For example, the thickness and homogeneity of barrier layers have a great influence on the shelf-life of food. With the OCT technology you can measure the thickness of the individual layers with high-resolution inline during the process. Moreover, you can see and detect delaminations and welding seams in real-time and possibly regulate and optimize the production process based on this measurement data.

Polymer-extrusion

Almost every plastic product runs through an extrusion process at least once during production. The flow behaviour of plastics, or the shearing forces in the extruders and injectors, appropriately determines the mechanic properties of the final product. With Doppler-OCT (image to the right) and time-resolved OCT (“particle image velocimetry”, image to the left) it is possible to measure the flow conditions in the manufacturing process in order to optimize the simulation models and tools with this data.

3D printing / generative manufacturing / additive manufacturing

In recent years the rapid development and quality improvements in the field of 3D printing for plastic and metal components has enabled many applications, including the serial production of critical components. Using the OCT inspection technique (for plastics, ceramics) and Laser-Ultrasonics (for metals, hard plastics) allow the detection of certain defects offline or even inline and thus enable to monitor the process closely in order to set corrective actions if needed.

Polymer coatings

The OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) provides insight into nearly all common polymer materials used in the industrial environment. As a tomographic measurement technique, OCT delivers information about the internal structure in order to detect and characterise cracks, defects, inclusions, pores, etc. OCT not only controls the quality and functionality of the plastic products, but also delivers relevant information to help understand and optimize the manufacturing process.

Spatially resolved spectroscopy

Do you want to know the exact local distribution (in micrometer range) of your chemical components? With Mid-Infrared-Microscopy we can chemically characterize and measure materials and cross-sections (e.g. residues or inclusions) with a spatial resolution as small as 5 µm. Quantum Sensing offers interesting opportunities in that area too.