SOFTSLIDE’s pay off is eloquent: Friction Management Solution, i.e. a solution for 360° management of friction in dynamic seals. From the initial prudent objectives estimating a 20/25% reduction in friction the consortium was able to demonstrate the production of seals with an actual friction reduction of even 40% in particular conditions.
There are many fields of application, in particular in the energy sector (oil & gas, wind turbines, etc.), aerospace and the world of industrial automation. In these sectors, maintenance costs, replacement and fine tuning have a considerable impact on the economy of a dynamic system and can cause severe losses due to plant downtime or machines being overhauled. Or even worse, a malfunction due to friction can cause serious damage.
All of the LCA / LCC indicators show a major impact of SOFTSLIDE technology on costs and energy savings (up to 15%).
In addition to being the program coordinator, ML Engraving contributed by developing the anti-friction textures and performing all the tests. It also patented the manufacturing method of the texturised seal.
Grant Agreement: 760680
Financing scheme:
FTIPilot-01-2016 - Fast Track to Innovation Pilot
The topic “Fast track to innovation” promotes “close to market” innovations (from TRL 6), with the obligation of reaching the market within three years from the beginning of the project.
Partners:
ML Engraving (Italy)
SKM Aeronautics Ltd (Israel)
Reagent (UK)
Instituto Tecnológico De Aragón (Spain)
Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Universitaet Hannover (Germany)
01/09/2020