Ceramic
Handling Raw Materials for High-performance Ceramics
10.04.2009 | Deskman: Wolfgang Geisler
Greatly reduced plant downtimes, simplified formulation preparation and manufacturing and doubled production capacity – Nabaltec AG of Schwandorf, Germany, is reaping the benefits of its new bulk solids intralogistics system which was installed by Austrian bulk solids specialist Geroldinger to meet several challenges:
The processing of numerous raw materials with complex properties and very high dosing and measurement precision requirements in a batch-based operation, where up to 30 different products are manufactured.
Most often they are hidden in cables installed in tunnels, airports, multistorey buildings or electronic devices: Flame-retardant synthetic materials, manufactured using raw materials from companies such as Nabaltec AG, with its headquarters in Schwandorf in the Upper Palatinate region of Bavaria. This globally active, medium-sized producer of special chemicals is also a specialist in the production of ceramic raw materials and ready-made, aluminium oxide-based compounds. These primary ceramic products from Nabaltec are used in the refractory industry as well as in the manufacture of high-performance ceramics and friction linings and consist of mineral powders and granulates with special properties, manufactured to the specifications of Nabaltec’s customers.
Modernisation Unavoidable
Nabaltec’s ceramic compounds business has been going strong for many years. In 2006, the company reached the point where its existing production plant hit capacity. In addition, the manufacturing process used in this division, developed over the company’s history, was no longer on par with current technology. Due to the manual, labour-intensive nature of production, many steps in the process could only be performed consecutively. As a result, while formulations were being prepared, the mills stood still. The plant could therefore handle only a limited quantity of bulk solids. A high number of personnel were also required to conduct manual batching – formulations could not be automatically repeated. For Dr Jan Kupfer, Technical Ceramics Division Manager at Nabaltec, it became clear that the entire production process in the division had to be modernised. “It was no longer state of the art,” says Jan Kupfer. Nabaltec thus planned the construction of a completely new production line in a new building, at a total investment of €10 million.
Content of the Article:
- Page 1: Handling Raw Materials for High-performance Ceramics
- Page 2: The New System
- Page 3: Complex Applications – Reliable Solutions
- Page 4: Bulk Solids
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