In November, a new research project was launched at the SKZ Plastics Center in Würzburg, Germany, to develop microwave technology for foam analysis. The aim is to achieve fast and precise quality control that detects defects at an early stage and makes industrial production more efficient.
New SKZ research project uses microwaves for comprehensive testing of foamed plastics
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| Microwave sensor that can be used to test plastic foams and offers flexible application options due to its handy dimensions. (Photo: SKZ) |
How can plastic foaming be further optimized to enable more sustainable production? These are questions that a team of non-destructive testing experts will be investigating in a new research project. The researchers have set themselves the goal of further improving the detection of defects and material properties in foamed plastics using microwave beams. “We are at the beginning of an exciting project. By using cost-effective systems, we want to make microwave testing technology particularly attractive for small and medium-sized companies,” says project manager and senior scientist at SKZ Pierre Pfeffer.
The microwave technology should simplify and automate the analysis of cell size, density and possible defects in foams. The application of machine learning methods should provide a particular advantage in defect detection.
The project is scheduled to run for two years, with the manufacturing industry to be actively involved. The first test series are to be carried out at two partner companies and specific recommendations for the use of the technology are to be published. Companies interested in participating in the project are welcome to contact the project manager, Pierre Pfeffer, to find out more. It is also possible to actively participate in shaping the project details by joining the project committee free of charge.
The research project is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection (BMKW) as part of the Industrial Collective Research (IGF).
