Dusseldorf, Germany - Foam converter Hanno-Werk GmgH & Co. KG of Laatzen, Hannover, is about to complete the crucial third stage of a five-stage plan to move its production plant out of a residential area of the city to a nearby site with purpose-designed accommodation.
The steelwork for the latest 4000 sq.m production hall and office accommodation was completed in September. By the turn of the year, the major part of the company's production will have moved from the old to the new site, said Hans Hoffmann (pictured), Hanno-Werk's managing director, in a 24 Oct interview at the company's stand at the K2007 plastics exhibition in Dusseldorf.
Hanno-Werk's long-term expansion plan has involved building a large new production facility, with a "slow progressive move out of its older facility," located in an area which has become unsuitable as a production site, Hoffmann indicated.
"Right now, in step three, all production is being put together at the new location," he added. Hanno-Werk, a manufacturer of foam-based sound and vibration absorption parts, will have spent a total of Euro 10 million on the new site when this stage is finalised, with the current stage costing Euro 3.3 million.
At the K show, the company was promoting some novel uses of its products. One of these uses soundproofing and damping materials to line medical suitcases which carry the portable breathing equipment used by patients with severe lung problems. Sufferers from various breathing problems need to carry such assistance with them day and night. Here, a special layer of Hanno Protecto plus 75 polyurethane sound damping foam is covered with a wafer-thin, microporous PU layer to protect the foam against oil splashes and humidity.
The result is a sound reduction of around 12 dB (A) depending on the frequency, cutting the sound nuisance in half - and allowing the user some peaceful sleep at night, Hoffmann pointed out.
The other product makes use of sheets of the company's Hanno-Tect product, made using BASF's proprietary melamine foam, to deaden noise in factories and office buildings.
Careful noise analysis enables the company to position large sheets of these absorber panels at specific points at ceiling level. The panels - which look rather like sheets hung up to dry - are highly effective in cutting the noise experienced by workers, Hoffmann said.
Here the noise reduction in the relevant areas was 5-10 dB (A), which meant that measured sound next to the workers carrying out their tasks was clearly under the regulatory maximum of 80 dB (A), said Hanno. Such a reduction is valuable for protecting workers' hearing, Hoffmann added. Often such projects are carried out to meet government regulations regarding worker health and safety in noisy plants, the Hanno chief commented.
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