Mechanical Engineering

Light, precise, hard, durable - ceramics can simply do more



Meeting the highest requirements

High-performance applications require high-performance materials. With the striving for lower weight, higher precision and durable load-bearing capacity, mechanical engineering is constantly pushing into new frontier areas. It's a good thing that our advanced ceramics are at home in precisely these areas.

Boundless freedom with 3D printing

Our patented IntrinSiC® manufacturing process combines the outstanding material properties of silicon infiltrated reaction bonded silicon carbide (RBSiC) with the process engineering advantages of 3D printing. Where shapes were once defined by manufacturing processes, today it's all down to your imagination. IntrinSiC® offers you design potential in new dimensions - even large and complex structures with undercuts and cavities can be produced in a single manufacturing step. The machine hours required for geometry milling in other processes are thus completely eliminated.

 

With IntrinSiC® you can significantly reduce your carbon footprint, making it easier to achieve your sustainability goals. Compared with conventional approaches, you save around 25% Co2 - and if you take into account the reusability of excess powder, the figure is as high as 70%.

 

 


Material advantages of IntrinSiC

  • Very high stiffness, flexural strength and diamond-like hardness
  • High thermal conductivity up to 200 W/mK
  • Low thermal expansion
  • Low density
  • High dimensional accuracy
  • High temperature resistance
  • Excellent corrosion and oxidation resistance
  • Component size 1.8mx1.0mx0.7m
  • Bionic structures, topology optimized
  • Strengths > 200 MPa and Weibull moduli >14
  • CTE = 3.9 µ/K
  • Reliability in small and large series
  • Sustainable due to CO2 savings

Challenges in the high performance industry

High-performance machines require high-performance materials. Whether in aerospace, metrology or semiconductor technology, the quest is for minimized weights, increased load-bearing capacity and enhanced precision. When measuring machines reach the limits of the measurement accuracies to be realized, space applications require minimum weight at maximum load, or semiconductor systems enter the realm of atomic size during processing, ceramics are increasingly the only possible alternative to realize structural elements of the systems or individual process components. 


Mechanical engineering

Huge power up to the μ-range

In frame components and wafer vacuum chucks for precision machines in the semiconductor industry, ceramics is a key material.

It makes it possible to guarantee the position of the optics and sensors with the utmost precision so that the smallest nanometer structures can be achieved. Our patented manufacturing technology IntrinSiC® offers you advantages that are only available from Schunk: We are the only supplier who has been able to further develop the material in such a way that the required material properties are met and the component remains crack-free.

 

 


Metrology

Your requirements are the measure of all things

Highest precision through the perfect ceramic - this is the best way to describe our partnerships with the metrology industry.

Our ceramic components made of RBSiC impress with unique material properties, both in standard products, such as quills, traverses and X-slides, Y-tables, as well as in individual frame designs or tool holders. Even complex designs and particularly large dimensions are possible - and you can always rely on very high rigidity, low thermal expansion and very good thermal conductivity.

 

 


Aerospace

Almost weightless into space

Weight reduction plays a major role in aerospace. We meet this requirement with bionic component optimization - it gives our ceramic components greater stiffness, functionality, dynamics and safety while keeping their weight low.

And quite incidentally, it also saves material costs. Thanks to their outstanding material properties, our reaction-bonded silicon carbide ceramics are used primarily in measuring systems, satellite structures and optical systems such as mirrors.

 

 

For solutions with the highest quality

With leading technologies in design, simulation, manufacturing and further processing, Schunk develops your components flexibly, tailor-made and quickly. Benefit from our more than 25 years of know-how and our strength as the market leader for reaction-bonded SiC.

 

 

3D printing of Schunk Technical Ceramics

Schunk is the world leader in the 3D printing process of ceramic machine components made of RBSiC. With the patented IntrinSiC, ceramic components are manufactured additively in 3D printing. Regardless of whether the shape is very complex or the dimensions are very large, the ceramic components have the same high material properties as our well-known RBSiC.

Ceramic Shaping Process of Schunk Technical Ceramics

Whether die casting, slip casting, dry pressing, isostatic pressing, extrusion or 3D printing - the selection of the appropriate ceramic molding process depends on the desired end properties, geometry and size of the components to be manufactured.

Ceramic Finishing of Schunk Technical Ceramics

In order to meet the highest requirements, ceramic components must exhibit a high degree of shape variety, precision and surface quality. Our large plant park offers you almost unlimited processing possibilities in terms of component size and shape.

Finite Elemente Simulation at Schunk Technical Ceramics

With the help of our simulation-based development using FEM (Finite Element Method), components can be virtually tested in their design state even before the first prototype and decisively optimized in terms of reliability and weight savings. This drastically reduces development times and costs.

 Design and Construction of Schunk Technical Ceramics

When manufacturing a component, the application environment, material properties, complexity, and subsequent production volumes and cost targets must all be taken into account. With our application-optimized design, you set the course for success here right from the start.

From the inquiry to series production

Thanks to our IntrinSiC® 3D printing manufacturing technology, you can be sure that your components will be produced in a design-optimized manner and with short lead times. Here we show you step by step how such a development can proceed.

 Inquiries at Schunk Technical Ceramics

You send us an initial inquiry and, if necessary, initial sketches of your requirement.

Discussion of first ideas at Schunk Technical Ceramics

Together with you, we discuss what exactly the product is about and what tasks the product should fulfill.

Design Guidelines of Schunk Technical Ceramics

The ideas and findings are transformed into a design. Using the guidelines of our 3D printing, the model is accepted.

 Engineering CAD at Schunk Technical Ceramics

Based on the CAD data, we can start producing components immediately, which enables short production lead and delivery times.

FEM-Optimization at Schunk Technical Ceramics

With an FEM analysis of the design, we can support the constructive design and virtually simulate an optimized design.

Creation of Prototypes of Schunk Technical Ceramics

After your approval of the modified drawings, we create a prototype. Here, component design variations can be tested and ready-to-use functional prototypes can be produced on the basis of a digital model using a 3D printer.

From the inquiry to series...

Process of Mechanical Engineering Projects

From the inquiry to series production

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Light | Precise | Hard |...

Mechanical Engineering

Light | Precise | Hard | Durable

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Bionic Component Optimization

Mechanical Engineering for Space Applications

Bionic Component Optimization

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Brochure: Mechanical Engineering

Brochure: Mechanical Engineering

Light, precise, hard, durable – ceramics can simply do more

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