In their presentations the speakers from the PUR industry presented interesting examples of hybrid applications, such as the combination of polyurethane with thermoplastics or steel. With their show truck and the "InCar® plus" project the ThyssenKrupp Group demonstrated further examples of hybrid and lightweight construction in the sectors drive, chassis and body. In addition to the examples of lightweight construction with polyurethane the lectures also focused on new processes and application ideas. The variety of new polyurethane shoe ideas and design studies ranged from innovative processing technologies for refrigerator or car interior production to generative manufacturing methods with industrial 3D printing.
Here too current trends, in the plastics industry that also open relevant possibilities for polyurethane, were identified. Automotive applications were not only examined under the aspect "lightweight construction", but also in terms of "comfort". This was vividly highlighted in a lecture on the development of car seats with appropriate seating comfort. The potential of polyurethane as a material for mounting and adhesive applications was also considered in one of the lectures. With its reactivity during production and its adhesive properties PUR provides almost unlimited possibilities in terms of material combinations and hybrid applications. Another topic in the technology lectures was how RTM and IMC technologies can be combined to implement paintable outer skin components with an appropriate surface, e.g. for automotive applications, as well as new processes for series production of composite components or for paintable outer skin components in the automotive sector.
The first part of the two day conference was held at the World Conference Center Bonn, the old Bundestag, where the FSK Innovation Awards were presented and the participants were invited to take part in a discussion with politicians.
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