"Environmental pollution, the overuse of finite resources and the generation of waste and waste water are increasingly influencing production processes," emphasizes Dirk Haumann, Managing Director of Rampf Machine Systems. Epument is designed to take this development into account. The epoxy resin-bonded mineral casting developed and produced by Rampf is used in vibration-damping machine beds and frame components in highly dynamic mechanical engineering and scores points with its low-energy production and environmentally friendly disposal and recycling.

The primary energy requirement during production is reduced by up to 30 percent compared to other materials, as the mineral casting material is poured cold into the wooden, steel or plastic molds. The high casting accuracy, coupled with the precise in-house molding technology, saves on transport trips to external processors and reduces or eliminates the use of processing machines.

When it comes to disposal, the mineral casting material benefits from the fact that it consists of over 90 percent naturally occurring minerals and rocks as well as an epoxy resin-based binder. Due to this high mineral content and the fact that the resin compound is harmless to the environment, the material can be disposed of like normal construction waste.

Furthermore, according to the supplier, Epument poses no risk to health. The material can be used safely and with an antibacterial effect in food-related environments, for example in the food and packaging industry, and is accordingly approved in accordance with the German Foodstuffs and Commodities Act, the Commodities Ordinance (89/109/EEC and 90/128/EEC) and the Code of Federal Regulations, Food and Drugs (FDA).

However, in addition to its good ecological balance, Epument also has very good damping properties compared to gray cast iron and welded constructions. According to Rampf, comparative measurements of the logarithmic decrement as a damping parameter show that mineral casting has eight to ten times higher material damping than metallic materials. This ensures greater dynamic stability of the frame structure in ultra-fast and high-precision production machines. For example, step and feed speeds can be increased, positioning accuracy improves, tool life is extended and the achievable surface qualities are improved.

Epument Mineralguss is produced in Germany and in China for the Asian and NAFTA markets under identical production standards, according to the company. cs