Fenner Precision adds rubber compound testing unit

Lincolnshire, UK – Fenner Precision, a global supplier of advanced silicone and rubber products, has upgraded its onsite laboratory facility with new testing equipment from MonTech.  

The project at the Lincolnshire plant is part of an investment programme across Fenner, following the UK-based rubber company’s acquisition by Michelin in 2018.

Fenner Precision specialises in the production of silicone and organic rubber products for applications such as flexible heaters, conveyor belting and ‘transportation’ bellows.

The company wanted to replace an existing moving die rheometer (MDR), used to verify the properties of rubber compounds, reported Engelmann & Buckham (E&B), UK agents for MonTech GmbH. 

MonTech proposed options including upgrading the MDR with all new PLC controls, software and PC, or a complete replacement with a new unit, E&B sales manager Mark Galliver said in a 9 March release.
  
Initially agreeing to a rental arrangement, Fenner opted for a MonTech MDR 3000 Basic, with automatic five-sample linear loader, according to Galliver.  

“Shortly after the installation of the new device, the users in the lab were able to make a solid case to the Fenner management for an outright purchase,” he explained.

MonTech also integrated all Fenner’s laboratory instruments into their MonControl database, transferring existing historical data to the new software at the same time.

“Our focus on quality is critical to everything we do here are Fenner,” according to Dr Luis Enriquez, materials development manager for Fenner Precision.  

“Reliability of data is crucial to us and our new MonTech moving die rheometer is invaluable in material R&D as well as quality control,” added Enriquez.