Our Microwave Heating chambers utilize an internationally, patented microwave system with a high field uniformity. Fast and energy-efficient production processes are possible by using microwaves. The system is characterized by the hexagonal geometry with a very high field uniformity. For the first time, the advantages of microwave technology have been developed successfully to an industrially mature high technology.
Reduced production costs
The system guarantees reduced production costs as a result of shorter heating, processing and cooling times required to harden CFK components. The microwave produces energy input into the component to be heated while the oven itself remains cold. In comparison to the process in autoclaves, the processing times are reduced by up to 50 %. Energy consumption is reduced by up to 70 %.
The Research Project
The VHM Hephaistos microwave system was developed in cooperation with the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT). It is the result of a joint development project sponsored by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). Alongside KIT, the Composite Research Center of EADS in Munich, the Institute for Aircraft Design (IFB) at the University of Stuttgart, GNK Aerospace in Munich and Vötsch Industrietechnik were involved in the project.
Applications include:
Thermal shaping of fiber composite materials (CFKs) for the aerospace and automotive industries.
The high field of uniformity allows for the manufacturing of high-quality CFC aircraft structures.
These systems may also be used as a disinfection chamber significantly reducing bacteria count. For example, in food production, numerous standards for hygiene must be fulfilled. The development of our Microwave Disinfection Chambers was accompanied by SINTEF Industry (Biotechnology and Nanomedicine) and SINTEF Ocean (Seafood Technology). The scientists validated the process, resulting in reduction rates of 99.99 % in containers and 99.9 % in conveyor belts. The integration of such a technology at all relevant production sites is recommended by SINTEF.
Features & Benefits
Volumetric and selective heating for energy-efficient processes
Modular design for flexible adaptation
Hybrid systems, e.g., in combination with hot air
Sizes ranging from laboratory scale up to large-scale systems
Our Microwave Heating chambers utilize an internationally, patented microwave system with a high field uniformity. Fast and energy-efficient production processes are possible by using microwaves. The system is characterized by the hexagonal geometry with a very high field uniformity. For the first time, the advantages of microwave technology have been developed successfully to an industrially mature high technology.
Reduced production costs
The system guarantees reduced production costs as a result of shorter heating, processing and cooling times required to harden CFK components. The microwave produces energy input into the component to be heated while the oven itself remains cold. In comparison to the process in autoclaves, the processing times are reduced by up to 50 %. Energy consumption is reduced by up to 70 %.
The Research Project
The VHM Hephaistos microwave system was developed in cooperation with the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT). It is the result of a joint development project sponsored by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). Alongside KIT, the Composite Research Center of EADS in Munich, the Institute for Aircraft Design (IFB) at the University of Stuttgart, GNK Aerospace in Munich and Vötsch Industrietechnik were involved in the project.
Applications include:
- Thermal shaping of fiber composite materials (CFKs) for the aerospace and automotive industries.
- The high field of uniformity allows for the manufacturing of high-quality CFC aircraft structures.
- These systems may also be used as a disinfection chamber significantly reducing bacteria count. For example, in food production, numerous standards for hygiene must be fulfilled. The development of our Microwave Disinfection Chambers was accompanied by SINTEF Industry (Biotechnology and Nanomedicine) and SINTEF Ocean (Seafood Technology). The scientists validated the process, resulting in reduction rates of 99.99 % in containers and 99.9 % in conveyor belts. The integration of such a technology at all relevant production sites is recommended by SINTEF.
Features & Benefits
- Volumetric and selective heating for energy-efficient processes
- Modular design for flexible adaptation
- Hybrid systems, e.g., in combination with hot air
- Sizes ranging from laboratory scale up to large-scale systems
