The Steinbeis team in Horb’s innovative approach uses plastic instead of cast iron
In environments such as industrial facilities, swimming pools, or public roads and car parks, channel drainage systems and their gratings have to cope with extremely demanding conditions. As well as mechanical stress, the main challenges come from weather conditions such as damp, wet and cold. Corrosion protection is thus absolutely critical – over time, rust can jeopardize the systems’ functionality and safety and shorten their service life. FIBRETEC is a 100% non-corrosive, chemical and UV resistant fiber-reinforced plastic solution that raises the bar in these environments. Unlike metal alternatives, FIBRETEC offers a durable channel drainage system solution that does not require regular maintenance or expensive coatings. Other advantages include the material’s high stability and low weight. The team at the Steinbeis Transfer Center Institute for Plastics and Development Technology (IKET) in Horb developed a plastic channel drain grating for HAURATON GmbH & Co. KG that takes advantage of these material properties.
For almost 70 years, Rastatt-based company HAURATON has been developing and marketing complete rainwater management systems based on circular principles for customers all over the world. HAURATON approached the Steinbeis team in Horb with a specific request to develop a 100% non-corrosive channel drainage system. The challenge of developing the system was made even tougher by additional specifications relating to its robustness and visual appeal.
The quest for the right material
Steinbeis Entrepreneur Professor Dr.-Ing. Bernhard Rief sums up the development work carried out by his team at IKET: “The result of more than a year’s research and development is the new FIBRETEC Design grating, a high-quality, hydraulically optimized plastic grating that is both extremely stable and
visually appealing.” At the start of the project, the concept was developed with the aid of value analysis tools. The team at the Steinbeis Transfer Center then carried out extensive material comparisons and testing in order to find the right material for the plastic grating. The aim was to come up with the optimal plastic grating design capable of withstanding the stresses that would be encountered in use. The design was engineered and optimized using simulation technology. Finally, IKET also helped with the selection and management of a suitable toolmaker.
FIBRETEC solution is a winner
As project leader Professor Dr.-Ing. Jürgen Gundrum proudly concludes, “The solution we came up with exceeded HAURATON’s expectations”. The new fiber-reinforced polyamide solution is stable, strong, robust, durable, sustainable and carbon-neutral. FIBRETEC gratings are available in several different load classes. As well as
delivering the requested non-corrosive properties, the plastic gratings also have the advantage of producing less noise when vehicles drive over them. As a result, FIBRETEC Design gratings have been successfully deployed as drainage system covers in parking lots and underground parking facilities.
The functional design’s marketing benefits were also a key factor for HAURATON. Stuttgart-based industrial designers “reform design” gave the grating a distinctive new look. FIBRETEC Design gratings are now also available in different colors.