Computed Tomography Makes Behavior of Silicone Visible

Thanks to computed tomography, we gain insights into the interior of a product, which would otherwise be impossible. This is the only way we can actually see how the material behaves under real-life conditions, providing us with information for the re-computation and subsequent adaptation," explains Johannes Pichler, R&D Manager at starlim//sterner. How the geometry and combination of materials can affect the product is invisible from the outside and very difficult to plan. In the past, starlim//sterner therefore had to use elaborate – occasionally destructive – methods for quality inspection which considerably prolonged the development process.

"In the past, we primarily relied on the experience of our product developers and common sense. We can now measure every detail with absolute certainty and reproducibility," says Pichler. In his opinion, the real benefit is not so much the speed of the non-destructive measurement, but in the quality. With production volumes in the hundreds of millions annually at starlim//sterner, defects would have an absolutely devastating effect. “The CT measurement allows us to substantially increase the service life of the products. With the long-term stability of the parts, we increase the total quality of the product and strengthen the brand of our customers," explains the development manager.