Technology Focus: Smart rubber compounds

HF Group has recently announced the completion of the three-year collaborative InSuKa (Intelligent search algorithm for finding optimised rubber compounds) project.

Launched 1 June 2023, the project focused on making manufacturing processes more transparent and digitally interpretable through the intelligent use of production and machine data.

The project focused on the use of algorithms for predictive process and material models to address the challenges of integrating new raw materials and related innovations into rubber-product compounds.

InSuKa partners' remit was to develop industry-ready systems for predicting the influence of mixing parameters and ingredients on the properties of rubber compounds and rubber products.

Using algorithms for computer-aided optimisation, the partners worked to automate characterisation methods: developing an app to access structured material and process data and generate predictions for compound optimisation.

Ultimately, the app is expected to create “industry-standard digital data capture and establish powerful tools for process and material optimisation.”

“Together with all project partners, HF Group presented and discussed the final project results and reflected on the successful collaboration throughout the project,” the machinery major stated.

Exchange between industry and research partners, it added, created “valuable perspectives and showed how innovation can be driven forward through strong partnerships and interdisciplinary cooperation.”