Products Case Studies Case Studies Mikatec 2K :: plastics,injection-moulding,caps,closures,pu-valves,2K-two-component-systems,aerosoles,electronics,food,pharmaceutical
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Case Study MIKAtec, 2K systems Case study for 3P Solutions on MIKAtec 2K systems Two becomes one3P develops patented world first: 2K internal container for aerosol cans with variable pressurecompensation and completely rubber-free sealing elements. If you have ever dyed your hair yourself, you know how difficult it can be: reading the instructions, understanding the instructions, screwing two containers together, shaking hard, then applying the colour with the arm that's already gone numb from all the shaking. It takes a similar amount of time for a craftsman to fit door frames: It involves timeconsuming preparation of what is known as 1K PU foam, which is used for fixing and as a sealing material. Would it not be practical to have just one can and be able to handle the material or the dye after just shaking it for a short time? The benefits for the trade and the end consumer are clear! And, just incidentally: conventional systems have always resulted in numerous complaints. Our new solution helps here too.       There's no such word as can't - or is there?Our aim was to develop a system which contained all the necessary components in the formof a single conventional pressurised aerosol can and fulfilled even the most complex of requirements for such a system. The system should be easy to operate using a simple button or dial and at the same time be more stable and more robust and withstand inspection better than conventional products. "No way! Impossible! You're having a laugh!" That’s what everyone involved said when the project began. There are no exceptions to Murphy's lawThankfully, we ignored all the initial warnings. We did have a whole host of challenges toovercome - such as the many different influences affecting a packaging system of this kind, including pressure changes when it is filled with chemical substances, changes in temperature, solvents, material shrinkage or expansion, the formation of holes in the internal container, failure of seals, the system gluing up inside the can, loss of gas pressure and, in accordance with on Murphy's law, everything that could go wrong, did. Our greatest challenges: working with pressure, instead of what all conventional systems have done to date and sealing plastic against plastic or metal against metal. It is a wellknown fact that all the rubber-based sealants which are conventionally used are not resistant to many chemical substances and solvents. So we developed various different prototypes. Our approaches to overcome the different pressure conditions in the can and within the internal container were a two-piston system and a membrane. We carried out hundreds of tests. Finally, we developed the right geometry and found a material which was flexible but also stable in the long term. However, most of our designs and prototypes did not withstand the practical tests. The breakthroughWe worked on more and more different approaches to a solution. We were now into thefourth year of the development project. We tweaked, calculated and tested, and gradually developed our membranes and pistons but, dear reader, unfortunately we cannot give away any more trade secrets here. After all, our product is unique throughout the world and a ground-breaking development of which we are very proud. We proudly presentAs of 2010, 2K cans with a MIKAtek 2K internal container filled with PU door frame foam willbe on the shelves of builders merchants. Further applications, including perhaps hair colouring, are to follow. If you are interested in our product, please contact us. |