From its very start, TC TECH has emphasized the rapid and exact heating made possible by the company’s IPR-protected technology. A temperature increase of 200°C has been achieved within two seconds, with the heated area controlled within 0.1 mm and with temperature variations below one degree over the entire surface. This rapid heating, in combination with TC TECH’s other IPR-protected solutions for stamping technique and controlled cooling, has what it takes to melt and pattern plastic films or plates down to nano-level.
The R&D department in Spånga has been questioned whether it would be possible to reach the temperatures required for steel to harden. The very first trial resulted in a temperature above 900°C being reached within seven seconds of heating. This means that TC TECH’s technology achieves the standard temperatures used for the hardening of steel – in fewer seconds and with higher exactitude than has been possible to date. TC TECH will now continue to evaluate the scope for its technology in the area of hardening of metals. The heated area can be defined in the same way as when an LGP is produced, and it is possible to heat complex forms such as TC TECH’s logo below with partial hardening of nothing but the heated areas. To achieve optimum quality in the steel, a controlled cooling process following the heating is of utmost importance.
TC TECH’s head of R&D, Jan Jäderberg, comments on the outcome of the tests: ”the trials delivered as expected, which was of course very satisfactory. This paves the way for our ambitions to expand into application areas outside the production of LGP (Light Guide Plates), although this will remain our core business for several years ahead.”
