Technology Focus: Smart Rubber Compounds

The HF Group has announced the completion of the InSuKa project, a three-year collaborative effort launched on 1 June 2023. The project aimed to make manufacturing processes more transparent and digitally interpretable through the intelligent use of production and machine data. The focus was on developing predictive process and material models using algorithms to address the challenges of integrating new raw materials into rubber-product compounds. The project partners worked to develop industry-ready systems for predicting the influence of mixing parameters and ingredients on the properties of rubber compounds and rubber products. An app was developed to access structured material and process data and generate predictions for compound optimisation. The app is expected to create industry-standard digital data capture and establish powerful tools for process and material optimisation. The project was completed in collaboration with industry and research partners, and the exchange between them created valuable perspectives and drove innovation forward through strong partnerships and interdisciplinary cooperation.