High-tech laboratories and test stands
The range of analytical instruments available at the Centre is particularly impressive: In addition to a computer tomograph, it also has a scanning electron microscope and mass spectrograph as well as a Helicheck 3D scanner, an optical 3D microscope, high-speed and thermal imaging cameras and a geometric fibre analysis system.
“These outstanding technical facilities offer us a lot of possibilities,” explains Eduardo Garcia R&D Reduced Risk Products (RRP) Project Manager at JTI. “The acquisition costs and support requirements for this type of equipment are very high. The Centre also gives us access to the manufacturing expertise of the Hauni team.”
Innovations and modifications both usually depend on fast and cost-effective implementation. “By involving our experts in the development of products and processes from the outset, customers can unlock enormous potential for time and cost savings,” says Kira Wenzel, Group Manager Process Development at Hauni.
“At the Centre, customers have the opportunity to work with Hauni experts and test manufacturing processes for different end products with a variety of materials. Moreover, they can optimize all the processes and parameters without having to take their own machines out of current production. It is the perfect preparation for the actual start of production.”
In addition to determining the optimum settings for process technology, processing speeds, efficiency, cost effectiveness and material consumption, the Centre also provides support with feasibility studies, the production of samples, design FMEAs and flow simulations.
At the various test stands for filter combining, gluing or laser perforation, customers can work with Hauni experts to determine the perfect system settings for their planned end product and analyze test runs with different parameters and materials.
“These analyses are extremely reliable due to our state-of-the-art laboratories for the investigation of optical, physical and chemical parameters. They ensure that our customers can introduce new or modified products quickly, cost-effectively and with minimal disruption,” says Wenzel.