Our plants are the optimal solution for efficiently producing high-quality steering wheels.
January 11, 2023
In addition to being a functional and aesthetic component, a car’s steering wheel plays a crucial safety role. It not only contains the airbag but is designed to deform appropriately to avoid damaging the driver’s chest in the event of an accident.
It is no wonder that steering wheel manufacturers worldwide pay enormous attention to the quality and performance of their products and the efficiency of their production process. Their target is to have the highest productivity with the lowest waste.
We respond to this industry’s specific needs by providing complete plants with turning tables or stationary foaming presses.
A purpose-developed mixing head
Our FPL 10 and FPL 14 mixing heads (two versions of our FPL HP) are designed specifically for this application.
Simple, efficient, and reliable, these high-pressure, two-component mixing heads are the best solution for producing high-quality steering wheels, including colored versions. Their compact design perfectly fits the narrow space around the press and mold and makes them easy to handle. They are composed of small parts, making them simple to assemble and maintain, an essential feature in heavy-duty production.
Vacuum, the best ally for top-of-the-line quality
Using a vacuum applied to the mold improves the finished product’s quality by facilitating better PU foam distribution while increasing each steering wheel’s production speed.
Our team provides a complete and fully configurable mold exactly for your needs. Thanks to our deep knowledge of injection strategies, vacuum application with polyurethane, mold materials, and surface finishing, we develop molds that guarantee the best properties for the finished product.
Repeatability improved through automation
Foaming steering wheels require a series of manual operations, like spraying the release agent and paint onto the mold or removing the steering wheel once curing is complete.
Our plants are equipped with an automation system that can handle all manual operations. This way, we help customers improve cycle time and repeatability while reducing human error.
Safety is also crucial: operations using release agents and paint spraying are polluting and dangerous to the operator’s health. Automating this step can safeguard the health of those on the plant and optimize the amount of chemicals used.
Benefits of using vacuums
- Better foam distribution in the mold
- Uniform part density
- Chemical savings from 10-30%
- Reduced production time
