GERMANY / INTERNATIONAL
Maxi-Press is now producing membranes with its new, fully automatic elastomer press from Wickert Maschinenbau GmbH. The press specially developed for Maxi-Press with a clamping force of over 2,000 tons is used specifically for the production of the world's only antibacterial extraction membrane "Anti-Bact" and has been in operation at the Eichenzell site since the end of 2020 near Fulda. Maxi-Press, world market leader for extraction membranes in laundries, invested around 1 million euros in the new production facility.
Maxi-Press relies on the highest quality and reliability when selecting the individual machine components. "The high quality and longevity of the individual parts manufactured in Germany is essential with a clamping force of up to 20,000 kilo-Newtons," said Tim Zaiser, Managing Director of Maxi-Press Elastomertechnik GmbH. “The development time for the huge 80-ton machine was around two years. After the two-month installation in East Hesse, the WKP 20,000 S now works around 18 hours a day. This cutting-edge technology enables Maxi-Press to use newly developed production methods. In addition to the documentation of all parts, constant control and visualization of the temperature in the 18 heating circuits is guaranteed. Mixing and weighing according to recipe, pressing, vulcanizing and all other steps are carried out and documented fully automatically by the machine. "
The enormous clamping force of the Wickert press enables the compression of new rubber compounds with a higher natural rubber content. This promotes the elasticity of the membranes. The sustained high temperatures of the 18 heating circuits increase the service life of the membranes during the laundry pressing process. Only the combination of high clamping force and optimal temperature distribution can achieve the desired quality of the manufactured item. The further development of the existing rubber compounds and the additional functions of the new machine enable future product development.
The German Hohenstein Test Institute has confirmed the sterility of the Anti-Bact membrane with the seal of approval. The Anti-Bact membrane is a certified and protected product from Maxi-Press Elastomertechnik GmbH and prevents the transmission of germs to the laundry during pressing.
