toolcraft invests in environmentally friendly temperature-control equipment for processing PEEK
Germany-based toolcraft, a supplier of precision parts, assemblies, molds and injection molded parts to the medical, aerospace, automotive and other sectors, is investing in a new method for heating the injection-moulding tool needed to process polyetheretherketone (PEEK) in an environmentally friendly manner.
PEEK - a versatile high-temperature material
The high-temperature material PEEK is resistant to almost all organic and inorganic chemicals. As well as being used as an insulating material in power cables, its properties make it ideal for use in a wide variety of sectors, including the automotive, aerospace and food industries. In comparison with the majority of other thermoplastics, PEEK has a very high melting point of between 370 and 400°C and can be processed in its liquid state during injection moulding. Since it is autoclavable, biocompatible and radiolucent, it is especially useful in the medical technology industry, where it can, for example, be used to produce dental implants or processed into hearing aids.
New method for controlling the temperature of PEEK
When processing PEEK, toolcraft currently employs cartridge heaters that heat the mould to the required temperature of at least 200° C. Since these heaters are electrical, they are slow at conducting heat, making the temperature difficult to control. The new investment made by toolcraft breaks this cycle. "The equipment's temperature control medium enables the tool to be constantly heated to 200° C. This is the ideal mould temperature for PEEK for the production of injection- moulded parts," says Thomas Lender, head of injection moulding at toolcraft.
Improved quality and environmentally friendly at the same time
The new solution allows the temperature of the injection-moulding tool to be maintained at an even level, while the constant conduction of heat enables heating with a minimal amount of energy. Furthermore, the steady temperature enhances the reproducibility of the injection-moulded parts. The reduced cycle time increases the output, while the quality of the components produced is also improved. The new equipment therefore enables effective PEEK processing using an environmentally friendly method.
