Modern TPE and silicone extrusion

poesia produces high-performance profiles made of TPE and silicone with its modern machinery. The company works extremely efficiently and reliably and makes its customers’ individual requirements a reality.

Sealing profiles made of materials such as TPE (thermoplastic elastomers), EPDM (ethylene-propylene-diene rubber) and silicone are used in a wide variety of applications today. poesia supplies customers who use profiles in construction, industry, vehicle construction, transport, apparatus engineering and food production. To produce profiles, poesia uses several extrusion lines in its plant in Unterkulm. The production processes are essentially identical for all extruders

TPE-profile production

The TPE pellets are fed into a cylinder in the extruder, by means of a screw. In the second step, the granulate is heated and melted at between 180 to 210 °C by shear forces and cylinder heating. Pressure is then built up before the melt is pressed through the forming tool via the injection head. In the next operation, the plastic profile, which is still hot, is drawn through a cooling channel. There it is hardened, whereby its rubber-like properties are retained. In the final phase, the profile is further processed according to the customer's specifications: crosscut, labelled, rolled up, provided with double-sided adhesive tape, etc.

Properties of TPE profiles

The TPE profiles are characterised by their versatility for further processing. They can be welded, glued or spliced. TPE allows small profile cross-sections of up to 0.6 mm in different, durable colours when using the same tool. TPE also offers many advantages in terms of environmental compatibility: the material is recyclable and very environmentally friendly to process, as vulcanisation is not necessary.

Profile production made of silicone

poesia uses an efficient, modern extrusion line for the production of silicone profiles. The extrusion of elastomers works in essentially the same way as TPE extrusion: the material is conveyed and homogenised by means of a screw in the cylinder before pressure is built up. The silicone mass is then pressed through a shaping die. The difference here is that the barrel and screw must be cooled and tempered to prevent premature vulcanisation. The profile is then cured using heat in a vulcanisation channel. A rubbery-elastic material is thus created from the plastic mass. Now the profiles have a hardness of 30 to 80 Shore A and can be tempered if required. This means that, depending on the mixture used, they comply with the FDA specification. During the four-hour post-treatment in the furnace at 200 °C, the fission products of the vulcanisation are "rinsed out". In the last step, the profile is further processed according to the customer's specifications: crosscut, labelled, rolled up, provided with double-sided adhesive tape, etc.

Specifications and order quantities

poesia processes mixtures with a hardness of approx. 30 to 80 Shore A.

Cross sections from approx. 20 mm to 800 mm with a maximum width of approx. 120 mm are possible. The limit values are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Thanks to our extremely efficient and flexible production, even small quantities from approx. 300 metres can be produced at fair prices.

Services

poesia has not only made a name for itself as a producer, but also with its service and customer-focused services. Our customer service staff provide customers with expert advice before ordering and after delivery of the products. Bearing profiles are available from 1m.

3D-Printing

For individual products, poesia can produce a prototype in 3D printing. This sample approx up to 80mm, is produced in a hard or soft version.  The material symbolize hard plastic or soft components. Poesia can print the samples and new developments within a very short time.

Planning

Customers’ CAD plans usually form the starting point for the production of the profiles. The specialists at poesia check the plans, put together a quote and ensure that everything runs smoothly and on schedule.

Logistics

Customers can also count on the expertise and attractive services of poesia® in the field of logistics. Ordered products can be stored in Unterkulm and retrieved as required. Upon request, poesia® also organises transport to the customer.

Sales Partners

List of distributors

Swissness

poesia® and its specialists produce high-quality products for Swiss and overseas customers who depend on high-quality seals, profiles and components. The company embodies Switzerland's own characteristics, such as quality, service, punctuality and reliability, meaning that customers receive great value for money.

poesia® benefits from its good geographical location in the Swiss Plateau. Unterkulm is located between the centres of Zurich, Bern, Basel and Lucerne and is therefore easily accessible from everywhere.