Angst Pfister Advanced Technical Solutions

Product design and development
Our R&D engineers design and offer solutions to develop seamless, effective, reliable and durable new products for national and international markets. We use advanced technologies such as Computer Aided Designs (CAD), Finite Element Analyses (FEA), Mold Flow Analyses, Virtual Design Engineering, as well as measurements and function checks that are carried out with precision on purpose built testing banks. 

Material development
Our deep knowledge and a diversity of more than 300 rubber recipes lets us create new products faster and more flexible. We develop and produce both standard materials such as NR, BR, SBR, ACM, AEM, EPDM, NBR and HNBR, as well as state-of-the-art high-performance compounds, such as bio-resistant elastomers, silicones (VMQ) and fluorated elastomers (FKM). With newest testing facilities for analyzing the behavior of elastomeric and antivibration parts, we can ensure optimal performance of the selected material. By constantly adding new recipes, we are always on track with the newest market developments, for instance in the area of electric vehicles, where low density and low hysteresis properties are required.

Measurement and testing
With state-of-the-art test devices within our laboratory the exact behavior of products can be measured against static and dynamic loads during and after manufacturing. Each component we produce receives a 100% visual inspection through laser measuring devices. Fully automatic pneumatic machines separate components that are not within the specified tolerances. 

Tool design and manufacturing
All design and machining of the metal-forming and rubber vulcanization molds required during manufacturing is integrated into our production processes. High-end Siemens NX software, CNC machining and electro-erosion cutting, as well as molding benches are used during these steps.

Metal surface preparation
To increase the rubber bonding performance or to provide a desired corrosion resistance, we can apply processes to the metal parts such as a first cleaning, sand-blasting, degreasing, zinc-phosphating and chromating. Additionally, bonding applications are carried out by use of spraying, automatic robot spraying or tumble spraying.

Vulcanization
The rubber compounds are molded in high-speed injection presses, while larger parts or small-series production runs are produced using compression or transfer-molding technologies. For a perfect injection molding process we have state-of-the-art cold-runner technology. A special process of calibration can be applied to the pre-finished metal parts, which allows the components’ lifetime to be extended by up to three times its regular rate. Using automated parts removing systems, the machines are more efficient and can work in continuous shifts.