FOCUS ON SURFACE TREATMENT at the Plasmatreat Technology Centre. During their presentations, the specialists discussed the latest trends in developing new products at their companies and explained how they use Plasmatreat solutions.
Beckhoff provided insights into the latest automation innovations, while Stoppa spoke about hardware designs for glass-based human-machine interfaces in harsh industrial environments. Auerbeck and Melles focused their presentations on battery production for e-mobility.
Mobility of the future
Lukas Buske, CEO of Plasmatreat and responsible for sales, service, market segment development and more reviewed the development history of Openair-Plasma technology, using the automotive industry as an example. The technology originated from a joint project with a regional automotive supplier, in which both companies achieved a breakthrough in bonding headlights to polypropylene( PP) housings.
“ Since then, we have collaborated closely with customers for over three decades to develop a wide range of solutions, from laboratory and stand-alone systems to fully automated lines. Our portfolio of nozzles and nozzle heads alone includes many different variants for static or rotating systems for a variety of applications. This means that, even for new applications, we can often meet the requirements with existing solutions and minor adjustments,” Buske explained.
Plasmatreat technology is currently used
in more than 100 automotive and battery production applications. PlasmaPlus PT- Bond technology, for example, serves as an environmentally friendly bonding agent that is often used to bond different materials in a stable, weather-resistant way.
“ Since development processes in the automotive industry are particularly sensitive and data-intensive, we now comply with TISAX standards for information security. This is a logical step for us and a clear signal to our automotive industry partners,” commented Lukas Buske.
Hands-on workshop sessions
“ Some visitors came to the workshops with ideas for new applications or drew inspiration from the examples of applications shown to optimise their companies’ production processes with Plasmatreat solutions. To enable efficient work in the interactive workshops, we asked for guests’ main interests before the Technology Days. This allowed guests to be divided into smaller groups. As a result, each guest received an individual programme at the beginning of the event,” explained Plasmatreat.
The workshop on“ Perfect Images: Plasma for Demanding Printing Processes” in the PT-Print room at Plasmatreat’ s Technology Centre outlined applications in packaging manufacturing and other areas. The production of a digitally printed, customised sports shoe was a highlight of this workshop. The thermoplastic used in this process is activated with Openair-Plasma, which makes it suitable for printing with UV ink. New nozzle technology, in the form of a new nozzle for printing applications, was also a focus.
The workshop entitled“ REDOX Effect: Reduction to High-Performance Coatings” showed how oxidised and contaminated metal surfaces are cleaned in the semiconductor industry to meet the strictest standards for
Lukas( left) and Magnus Buske( right): As part of the management team, they have been providing new impetus since 2022, including in the content for the Technology Days.
Industry partners
Sixteen participating industry partners took stands at the event.
These included BECKHOFF Automation; BODO MÖLLER Chemi; CeraCon; DreiBond Chemische Verbindungstechnik; Delo Industrieklebstoffe; Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Applied Materials Research IFAM; HAHN Automation Group; Krüss; Tampoprint; OptiMel Schmelzgusstechnik; Hermann Otto; RAMPF Group; Sika Group; tesa; Venjakob Maschinenbau and Volz Selbstklebetechnik.
Openair-Plasma and PlasmaPlus ® for industrial processes
When plasma, with its high energy level, comes into contact with materials, it changes the surface properties( for example from hydrophobic to hydrophilic). Plasma technology requires only compressed air and electricity for operation. Openair-Plasma ® technology is used in automated and continuous manufacturing processes in most industrial sectors.
“ Fine cleaning with Openair- Plasma ® gently removes dust, release agents, additives, plasticisers and hydrocarbons from surfaces. Especially with non-polar plastics, plasma treatment achieves surface activation. It supports the increase of surface energy by introducing hydroxyl groups and improves adhesion in subsequent processes such as bonding, printing, painting and sealing. Even oxide layers on metal surfaces can be removed inline during the production process using plasma technology,” confirmed the company.
Plasmatreat’ s PlasmaPlus ® technology can also be used to create targeted functionalised surfaces with defined properties by applying( depositing) nanocoatings e. g. as an additional adhesion promoter layer. Plasmatreat’ s HydroPlasma ® is used to remove stubborn organic and inorganic soils, a cleaning method that uses only water, compressed air and electricity in an environmentally friendly manner.
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