FLEXIFORM: A novel system for pressure casting of ceramic products with maximum flexibility of manufacture

• Research unit: EU RFP
• Project number: 00.0499

Key words (English)

Keramik; Materialoptimierung; Porosität; Wasserdurchlässigkeit;
Economic Aspects; Environmental Protection; Industrial Manufacture; Innovation; Technology Transfer; Safety

Alternative project number (English)

EU project number: G1RD-2001-00489

Research programs (English)

EU-programme: 5. Frame Research Programme - 1.3.1 Innovative products, processes and organization

Short description (German)

Siehe Abstract

Partners and International Organizations (German)

Ceram (UK), Keramik Institut Meissen (D), Dorst (D), Lippert (D), Goodall (UK), Ideal Standard (F), Dudson (UK), Designor (S)

Abstract (German)

The FLEXIFORM project addresses the problems of inflexible manufacturing and slow introduction of new product shapes in ceramic manufacture.

The objectives are
a) to demonstrate a new concept in pressure casting machines,
b) to develop a novel mould material that can be CNC machined and
c) to combine electrokinetic assistance with pressure casting.

These objectives will be achieved by
a) designing, constructing and operating pressure casting machines on two tableware and one sanitaryware factories,
b) laboratory research to develop and evaluate the new mould material and
c) factory simulation modelling to demonstrate the commercial and financial advantages offered by the new mould/machine system.

Expected results are
a) a fully proven pressure casting machine technology,
b) a novel mould technology,
c) factory simulation models for process integration.

References in databases (English)

Swiss Database: Euro-DB of the
State Secretariat for Education and Research
Hallwylstrasse 4
CH-3003 Berne, Switzerland
Tel. [phone]
Swiss Project-Number: 00.0499