Montech claims rubber-test automation first

Nuremberg, Germany – Rubber testing instrument copnay MonTech Rubber Testing Instruments GmbH introduced “the first automated robotic testing system available to the rubber industry,” at DKT2018.

The fully automated ‘online testing cell housies multiple stations including binning, sample preparation, MDR, RPA, and density, said the Buchen, Germany-based company.

The testing cell is deigned to provide relevant batch information in real-time by bringing the quality lab to the mixing line, according to Montech.

The automation and robotics capabilities, it added, offer “faster batch release, higher sampling rates, less scrap, less rework, decreased variability in testing, and ultimately a lower cost per test.”

The product for years of joint development work with tire makers, on-line testing cell has a tangible ROI of less than two years for greenfield plants, continued Montech, which will official launch the unit on 1 Aug.

The project, was driven by the ned for tire makers to reduce overhead costs of the lab, while increasing testing rate, reliability, repeatability, and accuracy of the data they were collecting.

“Online testing cells allow, for the first time, closed loop control between mixing, testing and down-stream processes,” stated Montech.

“Through direct integration into mixer controls, cells can provide quick feedback for precisely controlled processes at a higher quality output,” the company concluded.