French company Auditech Innovations specializes in anti-noise and hearing protection for operators exposed to industrial noise. The company’s technological patents for acoustic and sound-filtration systems position it as a top French manufacturer.
In order to improve its production tools and quality, Auditech purchased a new Graco®PR70 two-component meter, mix and dispense unit. Liquid Control SAS, based in Mont-Près-Chambord, France, ran a trial on the implementation of the silicone product and confirmed its feasibility. The objective of this application was to replace an unreliable gear pump unit, improve quality and productivity, and reduce waste.
From a personalized imprint of the ear in elastomer silicone, a plaster mold is designed to receive a two-component silicone from which the equipment receiving the noise filtration system is produced. The two-component silicone, which was colored pink, is mixed by the Graco PR70 unit and dispensed with an automatic Graco MD2 valve with a disposable static mixer. The volume per mold is about 7 grams, or 14 grams for both ears, including the superfluous part. The filling of the mold is done manually by sight.
The material used is:
- Silicone 2K Bioplast – Pink (Industry) / Blue (Food processing)
- Base: 1Mcps cps / Catalyst: 1Mcps cps
- Mix ratio: 1:1
- Pot life: 3 minutes
The Graco PR70 unit is equipped with an 8-liter polyethylene (PE) reservoir for material storage. Although the material has high viscosity, both metering piston pumps with single effect are correctly filled thanks to the suction effect facilitated by a large inlet material collector.
Auditech Innovations chose the Graco PR70 unit because of the industrial design of the machine, its simplicity of use, its reliable piston pump technology and its price.
“We are very satisfied with the investment,” says Auditech CEO Pascal Roussel. “This PR70 unit is precise and simple to use. We had no problem starting up or with after-sales service. Our waste scraps disappeared and the quality of our products is constant. The next stage is the investment in a second machine before the end of the year for the implementation of the blue silicone.”
For more information, visit www.graco.com.