Wickert presents a new thermoforming press for aircraft structural components

Wickert Machinenbau, a German company producing complex, fully automated systems integrated in its hydraulic presses, launches a new thermoforming press dedicated to the production of #aircraft structural components from #composite materials.

The machine operates in a semi-automated way, thus allowing reduced operators’ workloads as well as productivity gains of up to 80%, explains Wickert. It encompasses all production steps, from raw part loading and preheating to the actual pressing process and unloading. Once the prepared composite parts fed into the production process, the robot picks up a clamping frame and transports it to the infrared oven – equipped with two heating stations on two levels – for preheating. There, the part is heated to the required processing temperature within two minutes. Only the respective component geometry is preheated. Then, the robot removes the clamping frame with the preheated component from the oven and moves it to the press, where it is positioned. The actual pressing process, which takes about one minute, then takes place, after which the robot removes the part again.

A flexible, semi-automated and customisable process

In addition to productivity gains, the use of an industrial robot with a customisable handling system makes the process more flexible, enabling the manufacture of components of different sizes, up to 1,100 mm in length. Moreover, the use of magnetic clamping plates to fix tools significantly reduces setup times. The flexibility of the system enables operators to change recipes quickly and easily. It also facilitates data logging and the recording of component-specific process data, enabling complete traceability. All this enables to meet the strict requirements of the aviation industry. 

Wickert’s new thermoforming press is suitable for various types of composite materials used to build structural aircraft components, including carbon fibre-reinforced thermoplastics such as #polyphenylenesulfide (PPS) and #polyetheretherketone (PEEK). 

All presses are modular in design and customised with press forces between 20 and 100,000 kN. 

“The new press technology makes it possible to form components of varying sizes efficiently and with repeatable accuracy. This not only saves time, but also guarantees consistently high product quality,” emphasizes Steve Büchner, deputy marketing manager at #WickertMaschinenbau.

In the future, Wickert plans to offer a manufacturing process in which manual input and output are fully automated. In addition, the company is developing a concept allowing the clamping frame with the component to be positioned in the press at a freely definable angle for certain applications.

source: Wickert /www.Jeccomposites.com

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗽𝗵𝗲𝗻𝗲 𝗕𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗚𝗲𝗶𝗺 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗼𝘃

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗽𝗵𝗲𝗻𝗲 𝗕𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗚𝗲𝗶𝗺 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗼𝘃

When graphene comes up in conversation, the story usually starts in 2004, when Andre Geim and Kostya Novoselov first isolated it in the lab for the first time, experimentally demonstrated its outstanding electronic properties, broke long-standing paradigms, and triggered a massive technological hype.

What is rarely mentioned is that graphene’s story is more than 𝟭𝟲𝟬 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗹𝗱. And even less known is that a single layer of graphite 𝗺𝗮𝘆 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝘀 𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝘀 𝟭𝟵𝟲𝟮.

To begin with, nearly two decades before the 2004 experiment, the term “𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘱𝘩𝘦𝘯𝘦” itself had already been coined. In 1986, Hans-Peter Boehm defined graphene as “𝘢 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘭𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘣𝘰𝘯 𝘭𝘢𝘺𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘱𝘩𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘤 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘤𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦.” At that time, the material was already well known and extensively studied, particularly by theoretical physicists.

Work in this area started as early as 1947, when Phillip R. Wallace calculated the electronic structure of a graphite monolayer, introducing its band model and providing the first theoretical description of its linear dispersion, the Dirac cones that later became iconic.

On the chemistry side, however, the foundations go back even further. It was 1859 when Benjamin Brodie oxidized graphite for the first time, laying out the groundwork for what we now call graphene oxide. This chemistry was refined over decades by scientists such as Staudenmaier in 1898 and Hummers & Offeman in 1958.

Graphite oxidation eventually culminated in a 1962 study by Boehm himself, the same scientist who later coined the term graphene, in which single layers of oxidized graphitic structures were potentially isolated. Boehm inferred that the “extremely thin lamellae” he observed had thicknesses as low as 3 Å, consistent with a single atomic layer (the figure is from his original work). A definitive claim of the graphite monolayer isolation by Boehm was prevented only because the characterization techniques available at the time were unfortunately simply not advanced enough to prove it conclusively.

Looking back, the work of Boehm, Wallace, and many other brilliant scientists prepared the ground for what happened in 2004. That long history is what makes graphene, and, more broadly, 2D materials happen and become such a 𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺 today for a 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝗶𝗲𝘀, especially in areas where conventional materials are reaching their limits.

source : Josué Cremonezzi

Elkem to sell majority of Silicones division to Bluestar

On 13 February 2026, Elkem ASA announced an agreement to sell the majority of the Silicones division to Bluestar to create a focused, globally-leading metals and materials producer.

"Since its founding more than 120 years ago, Elkem has consistently optimised its portfolio to adapt to changing market dynamics and capitalise on emerging growth opportunities. By divesting the majority of the Silicones division, we are simplifying our business, sharpening our strategic focus and allocating capital where we see strong long‑term growth opportunities. We are confident that the agreement also delivers the most favourable outcome for the Silicones division positioning the business for accelerated specialisation and growth," says CEO Helge Aasen.

 

Transaction highlights:

Elkem to sell majority of the Silicones division to Bluestar to create a focused, globally-leading metals and materials producer

Transaction will be settled through redemption of Bluestar’s 338,338,536 shares (52.9%) in Elkem. No cash payments by Elkem nor Bluestar as settlement

Minority investors to assume 100% control of Elkem (listed)

Transaction solves Elkem and Bluestar’s long-term strategic goals regarding operations and ownership

Transaction is conditional upon shareholders’ approval at EGM, waivers and approvals from lenders, and other customary approvals

Folketrygdfondet, Must Invest AS, DNB Asset Management, Nordea Investment Management, and Perestroika have pre-committed their support for the transaction at the EGM, and fully underwritten a NOK 1,500 million contemplated equity capital raise subject to certain terms and conditions

Transaction is expected to close by May 2026

source : Elkem

Lubrizol Launches Tolerathane™ Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) for Implantable Medical Devices

Lubrizol announces the launch of Tolerathane™ TPU, a new medical-grade material engineered to meet the evolving demands of implantable medical devices. Compared to other TPU materials, Tolerathane™ TPU offers unparalleled tolerance to harsh biological conditions while maintaining superior softness, mechanical resilience, and seamless integration into standard thermoplastics processing compared to currently available TPU materials.

Designed to help medical device OEMs reimagine what’s possible for implanted technologies, the thermoplastic nature and polyurethane mechanical properties of TOLERATHANE™ TPU open new possibilities for advanced device design for a range of applications. The product’s performance attributes closely align with the technical requirements of neuromodulation & #cardiacleads, structural heart implants, percutaneous catheters and cables, and implanted textiles

Performance Benefits

Boosted Biostability: Superior tolerance to oxidative and hydrolytic attack compared to currently available TPU materials

Softness without Sacrifice: Enhanced biostability at the softest durometers while offering good mechanical properties

Scaled for Customization: Seamlessly integrates with typical thermal processing methods and offers tunability for optimized performance

A Thermoplastic Alternative to Silicone: Enables thinner wall designs that support device miniaturization and design flexibility—transforming innovation in #implantable medical device development

#Lubrizol brings decades of foundational expertise to its specialized medical-grade TPU portfolio,” said Jennifer Green, Sr. Global Technical Business Development Manager and Commercial Lead for ##Tolerathane™TPU. “As a pioneer in #thermoplasticpolyurethane innovation, Lubrizol continues to meet the evolving needs of modern healthcare—delivering materials that enable innovative medical devices and developing the next-generation TPU for implantable medical devices.

Tolerathane™ TPU debuts at MD&M West 2026, North America’s largest medical design and manufacturing event, where Lubrizol showcases its latest innovations in medical-grade materials. Speak directly with technical experts about its potential to transform device design by visiting Booth 2301.

source : Lubrizol

Epoxigraph | When Performance Is Not Optional

 Epoxigraph | When Performance Is Not Optional

Not all epoxy resins are created equal.

Epoxigraph is our graphene-enhanced epoxy resin developed for structural applications where strength, adhesion, and long-term reliability truly matter.

🔬 Why Epoxigraph?

✔️ Higher mechanical resistance

✔️ Improved structural rigidity

✔️ Reduced microcrack propagation

✔️ Excellent adhesion to fibers and substrates

✔️ Superior durability under demanding conditions

Designed for industries where failure is not an option — aerospace, defense, automotive, and advanced structural components.

Graphene doesn’t just enhance the resin.

It transforms performance.

source : Graphenano Composites

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : Hot Runner Manifold and Gate Balancing

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

Hot Runner Manifold and Gate Balancing

The term "balanced" on paper may still refer to a situation in which one cavity flashes while another cavity short-shots in multi-cavity molds. The solution is not magic. Rather, it is science that we can put to use on the production floor.

In order to achieve a balanced hot runner manifold and gates, we use the following strategy. That involves using pressure drop, shear rate, and fill-time targets:

1. Establish a single fill-time target (here is where your quality window would begin).

2. Convert it into flow rate per gate, which is the amount of melt that each gate is required to supply.

3. Check shear rate. A shear rate that is too high may cause material stress, burn, and splay risk. A shear rate that is too low can result in poor packing response. Smaller gates provide a rapid increase in shear.

4. It is necessary to calculate the pressure drop for each flow channel. This includes the sprue, manifold branches, nozzle, and gate.

5. To get balance, make sure that ΔP and shear are the same throughout all drops. You may do this by changing the diameters of the channels, the quality of the corners, the size of the gates, the length of the land, or the timing of the valves.

6. It is important to validate the "balance" using a short-shot study and cavity pressure so that it is not theoretical but rather actual.

The mold becomes much simpler to start, much simpler to maintain stability, and a great deal more repeatable when these three factors – fill time, shear, and pressure drop – are in harmonious alignment.

source : PlastiConnect.

#polymers #InjectionMolding #HotRunner #MoldDesign

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : The Value Inside Food Waste

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share 

The Value Inside Food Waste

Food waste is often seen as disposal — yet it is actually displaced resources.

One ton of discarded food carries embedded energy, water, nutrients, and carbon. When diverted from landfill and recovered through circular systems, its hidden value becomes measurable and impactful.

⚡ Energy:
One ton of food waste can generate enough biogas to power 8–12 homes for a day.

💧 Water:
Avoiding food loss preserves roughly 15,000–25,000 liters of embedded water, depending on the food type and production intensity.

🌱 Soil:
Organic recovery can produce about 400–600 kg of nutrient-rich compost, returning carbon and fertility to soils.

🌍 Climate:
Diverting food waste from landfill can avoid approximately 0.5–1.0 tons of CO₂-equivalent emissions by preventing methane formation.

These figures reveal a simple truth: food waste is not merely a waste problem — it is a resource efficiency opportunity across energy, water, soil, and climate systems.

In a circular economy, organic waste becomes feedstock. Cities convert it into biogas and soil amendments. Agriculture closes nutrient loops. Landfills shrink. Emissions fall. Resources circulate.

Reducing food waste remains the priority. But for unavoidable organics, recovery transforms loss into value.

Food waste is not garbage.
It is misplaced energy, water, and nutrients — waiting to be recaptured.

source : Waste Innovation Stories

hashtag#FoodWaste hashtag#CircularEconomy hashtag#OrganicWaste hashtag#WasteToEnergy hashtag#Composting