Hennecke GmbH's RIMDOMAT plants for RIM and RRIM technology are electronically-controlled, leak-free piston metering machines for maximum stroke volumes and extremely large outputs. Thanks to their large output they are considered the real "elephants" of metering machines. But what can be done if a RIMDOMAT cannot reach a desired output of more than 5 kg/s per component? Two RIMDOMATs can simply be "merged". That's what happened thanks to Hennecke at the renowned Austrian automotive supplier POLYTEC FOR Car Styling GmbH & Co KG in the record time of two months.

Hennecke GmbH has not only been developing and producing highperformance PU processing technology for over six decades but thanks to its 360°SERVICE also provides various services at competitive prices. One of these is the 360°RETROFIT service which apart from standardised innovations also includes speciallyadapted innovative solutions for simple and fast retrofitting. One clear example of this is the successful combination of RIMDOMATs of type HS 3000 and HS 2200, which together can attain an output of up to 11 kg/s.

The Austrian firm POLYTEC has trusted Hennecke piston metering machines for over 20 years. Last year, the car specialist came to Hennecke with a request to upgrade its RIMDOMATs so they could produce bumpers for bigger vehicles.

"There was the possibility," recalls Peter Böhm, Manager Service Sales at Hennecke, "of upgrading the existing HS 3000 RIMDOMAT. But this was comparatively costly and suboptimal from the point of view of the necessary output. So we decided to bring together two RIMDOMATs that were already in use and to make one machine out of two.

We connected them mechanically and electronically and then included a Siemens S7 joint control system."

Thanks to the intelligent and modern control system POLYTEC can now use the RIMDOMATs separately for small and medium-sized parts or together for large parts. Moreover, a by-pass between the complete new system and the existing production equipment has been set up so that if there is a failure or the plant needs to be maintained the new combined system can take over the production.

Christian Schobesberger, POLYTEC works manager, is very satisfied with the system. "We saved on the costs for a new plant and now have a consolidated position in the market because the combined system covers the whole range of parts. Moreover, the production is guaranteed to work around the clock thanks to the back-up solution - this is particularly crucial in the automotive sector because of just-in-time production. The system was retrofitted and adapted to our individual needs within two months and the Hennecke employees did very good work."

RIMDOMATS work on the basis of slowstroke metering cylinders and are geared to achieve the required shot weight in one metering stroke. Because the metering machines can process raw materials containing fillers in a safe way without any problem, they are especially appropriate for manufacturing highquality moulded parts such as side skirts, mounting parts for front and rear bumpers as add-on elements or complete car fronts and backs.