A strategic alliance for the more effective marketing of the Contura technology has been concluded by Innova Engineering GmbH (D-58706 Menden; www.innova.de) with Bayer AG (D-51368 Leverkusen; www.bayer.com). According to Innova General Manager Reiner Westhoff, cycle times in injection moulding can be reduced by an average of 30%.

With this patented cooling technology, the mould core is cut into slices, water channels are inserted and the parts then bonded together again using high-temperature vacuum brazing technology. The individually controllable cooling channels follow the contours of the mould and allow rapid, uniform cooling of the part. This not only shortens the cycle time, it also improves part quality. There is less warpage, less stress in the moulding and fewer differences in the amount of surface gloss.

“Our range of services includes thermoanalysis and the design and production of the inserts with integrated cooling system,” explained Westhoff at a joint press conference held in February 2001 to announce the cooperation. Bayer will contribute its expertise in the processing of industrial thermoplastics and its existing customer network. The raw material manufacturer sees this as a further step along the road to becoming a true “solution provider”, and an opportunity to drive growth in a mature market in the face of strong international competition. The prime targets for the recently started sales offensive will be Italy, UK/Ireland and France.

Reader Service: Press conference speeches on the strategic alliance between Bayer and Innova: PIE-No. 45088.