Cooperation agreement between KraussMaffei and Dieffenbacher

Ground-breaking cooperation for HP-RTM

The Reaction Process Machinery division of KraussMaffei concluded a cooperation agreement with Dieffenbacher on 15 April 2010 for the worldwide sale of machines for the high-pressure resin transfer moulding process (HP-RTM machines). In their cooperation, the two companies have the rapidly burgeoning market for CFRP components in the automotive industry in their sights.

One contact for global turnkey solutions
The high-pressure resin transfer moulding process for carbon fibre composites is set to take on a key role in automobile technology in future: Through their shared marketing, KraussMaffei and Dieffenbacher are now offering turnkey solutions for this process to customers all over the world, from a single source: An important part of the cooperation is also focussed on joint future developments, such as in minimising process times in order to increase efficiency even further.

This trend is confirmed by current demand for body-in-white parts to be used in electric and hybrid vehicles. The difficulty of handling the semifinished fibre parts (fabrics and scrims) means that vertical presses are needed for this task, in which the items to be pressed can be loaded and draped into the lower dies. The subsequent process of filling with epoxy resin or polyurethane is performed using high-precision mixing heads in order to avoid degradation of the fabric. These mixing heads are directly flange-mounted on the mould. The pressure within the die during the curing process (reaction process) is up to 100 bar. Future joint developments such as minimising the reaction duration will also be an important part of the cooperation, because the process time is a significant factor in determining economic viability.

Both companies have expert knowledge in their specific areas:

Dieffenbacher: Hydraulic vertical presses with precise parallel control of the ram
KraussMaffei: Resin metering devices and mixing heads for epoxy and polyurethane
Dieffenbacher: System supplier for handling systems, cutting, preforming and pressing
KraussMaffei: System supplier for finishing processes, milling, trimming and mould making

KraussMaffei company profile

In terms of sales, KraussMaffei is world market leader in machines and systems for plastics and rubber processing. With its three divisions – Injection Moulding Technology, Extrusion Technology and Reaction Process Machinery – KraussMaffei is a premium partner for the plastics and rubber processing industries worldwide.
The group markets its products under the KraussMaffei, KraussMaffei Berstorff and Netstal brands. The KraussMaffei brand covers the whole spectrum of injection and reaction moulding technology, while the KraussMaffei Berstorff brand stands for successful extrusion solutions. The injection moulding machines of Netstal, their Swiss subsidiary, meet the highest of requirements imposed on process implementation, parts quality and production performance and are mainly used to make highly sophisticated technical and thin-walled plastic parts.
With over 100 years of expertise and know-how in machinery for plastics and rubber processing, KraussMaffei is today a major technology and process partner for industry. The group offers a wide range of solutions that includes specialized and fully integrated turnkey systems. Headquartered in Munich, the company operates a worldwide network of 140 subsidiaries and sales agencies, and deploys over 570 service technicians, ensuring fast response and closeness to customers everywhere.

Dieffenbacher company profile

Dieffenbacher is a traditional, internationally active group of companies that develops and manufactures press systems and complete production systems for the wood panel and automotive industries. As a system supplier, Dieffenbacher supplies sustainable complete solutions from a single source for manufacturing the products the market needs, in an economical and environmentally aware manner. Dieffenbacher's Forming Technology Division makes the company one of the leading manufacturers of hydraulic presses for processing fibre-reinforced thermosetting and thermoplastic materials. As a technology leader in this segment, it develops ground-breaking process technologies and supplies machines for producing lightweight components in the structural and bodywork areas, predominantly for companies in the automotive industry. The family firm still has its headquarters in the town of Eppingen, where it was founded 137 years ago, but is represented worldwide with its production, sales and service sites.

Photo: The cooperation was sealed by handshake (l. to r.: Dr. Günter Kuhn, Managing Director and CTO of the Dieffenbacher Group, Frank Peters, member of the Board of Management of KraussMaffei)

Overview of the entire processes sequence that KraussMaffei and Dieffenbacher are offering to their customers straight away as a result of their cooperation:

If you have any further questions, please contact:

Matthias Andreesen Viegas
Head of Corporate Communication
Telefon +49 89 8899 2592
Telefax +49 89 8899 3092
matthias.andreesen(at)kraussmaffei.com

Andrea Dietl
Corporate Communication
Telefon +49 89 8899 4194
Telefax +49 89 8899 3092
andrea.dietl(at)kraussmaffei.com

Roger Kautz
Head of Marketing and Communication
Telefon +49 7262 65 419
roger.kautz(at)dieffenbacher.de

Thomas Müllner
Sales Director, Composites
Telefon +49 7262 65 235
thomas.muellner(at)dieffenbacher.de