Mouldtex

GENERAL DATA:

• Description: Horizon 2020. FOF-06-2017: New product functionalities through advanced surface manufacturing processes for mass production.

• File number: 768705
• Date of grant: 20/04/2017
• Dates of execution: 01/11/2017 – 30/04/2021

PRESENTATION AND OBJECTIVES:

The polymeric gaskets are essential components in almost all mechanical industrial processes that allow the containment and effective movement of liquids and gases in extreme environments. The friction is intrinsically related to the behavior of the seal. High friction accelerates the wear of the seal, which can lead to cause leakage and/or premature failure of the component, and increase the energy consumption of industrial processes.

The technique of (micro-) texturing is a technique applied to surfaces for the friction reduction in lubricated rigid materials, such as by example metallic or ceramic materials. Recently, this technique has been has been applied to polymeric and elastomeric materials at the laboratory level, and its efficiency has been demonstrated.

The project will develop and will demonstrate a novel methodology for the design and fabrication of large volumes of polymeric components with surfaces textured, which will be designed in function of the conditions of operation of each particular component. With the resulting design, the you will achieve a >20% friction reduction for an extra cost <10%.

This innovative methodology combines:

• A advanced modeling software for the identification of the patterns of surface texture that lead to a significant reduction in the friction in plastic and rubber applications and components.
• A software for the design of the mold components that allow for the proper transfer of the texture pattern from the mold to the surface of the component.
• An innovative automated laser system for the application of hierarchical patterns of micro-texture induced by laser on the surface of the mold.
• Good practices for molding and demolding using molds with textured surfaces.
• In-line optical inspection for quality control of the surface texture pattern.

The project will establish three lines of demonstration of the methodology applied to: 1) the design and manufacture of molds, and to the design and production of 2) rotary joints for use in engines, and 3) joints with alternative motion for industrial processes.

PARTICIPATING ENTITIES:

• INSTITUTO TECNOLÓGICO DE ARAGÓN (ITAINNOVA) (Project Coordinator) – Spain
• GOTTFRIED WILHELM LEIBNIZ UNIVERSITAET HANNOVER (LUH) – Germany
• ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES INSPIRALIA SL (INSPIRALIA) – Spain
• FOUNDATION FOR RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY HELLAS (FORTH) – Greece
• ORP STAMPI SRL (OR.P. Stampi) – Italy
• ML ENGRAVING SRL (ML ENGRAVING) – Italy
• OPTIMAL OPTIK OPTIKAI KFT (OPTIMAL) – Hungary
• SKM AERONAUTICS LTD (SKM Aeronautics) – Israel
• PLASTIPOLIS (PLASTIPOLIS) – France

CONVOCATION:

Horizon 2020. Research and Innovation Framework Programme. Call FoF-06-2017: New product functionalities through advanced surface manufacturing processes for mass production.

BUDGET:

• Total bankable budget of the project: 5,133,871.25 €.
• Bankable budget of ITAINNOVA: 717,062.50 €.

FINANCING:

• Total project grant: 5,133,871.25 €.
• Grant to ITAINNOVA: 717,062.50 €.

“This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 768705”.

SOCIAL NETWORKS:

Mouldtex Web: http://www.mouldtex-project.eu/index.html

Linkedin Mouldtex: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mouldtex-project/

Twitter Mouldtex: https://twitter.com/MouldtexP/