Non-Destructive Testing – Working Together to Advance Innovations for the Plastics Industry
Whether it’s defects, layer thicknesses, moisture content, curing, foam structures, or internal component characteristics: The Non-Destructive Testing Research Group at the SKZ Plastics Center develops and evaluates measurement methods for the non-destructive testing of plastics. Companies are invited to submit their own research questions, ideas, or specific testing tasks—as contract research, a research project, or a collaboration throughout the project.
At SKZ, researchers are investigating various non-destructive testing methods for plastics and further developing them for industrial applications in collaboration with industry partners. (Photo: Luca Hoffmannbeck, SKZ)
SKZ supports companies and research partners in implementing modern measurement and testing technology into industrial processes
How can plastics and plastic components be reliably tested without damaging them? How can quality characteristics be identified early on, processes stabilized, and scrap reduced? The Non-Destructive Testing Research Group at the SKZ Plastics Center in Würzburg addresses these questions.
As a research institute of the ZUSE Association, SKZ works closely with companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The goal is to further develop innovative measurement and testing technology for the plastics industry and bring it into industrial application. The spectrum ranges from publicly funded research projects to collaborative initiatives and industrial contract research.
Broad Portfolio of Non-Destructive Testing Methods
To this end, the SKZ offers a broad portfolio of non-destructive testing methods. These include, among others, terahertz and radar technology, thermography, ultrasonics, shearography, computed tomography, and optical coherence tomography. Typical applications include the detection of defects, the determination of geometries and layer thicknesses, the characterization of foams, the monitoring of curing or melting processes, and the analysis of material properties.
Focus on Application-Oriented Research
A particular focus is placed on application-oriented research. Together with industry partners, especially SMEs, the SKZ investigates how testing methods can be automated, digitized, and integrated into existing production processes. Topics such as AI-supported evaluation, inline quality assurance, resource efficiency, and sustainability play an important role in this context.
Free Test Measurements Available
Companies can get involved in various ways: with a specific testing task, a product or process idea, as a partner in a research project, or initially in an advisory and supportive capacity on project-related committees. Questions where it is still unclear which measurement method is suitable are also expressly welcome. Depending on the testing task, free
In addition, the SKZ supports companies with an initial feasibility assessment, ranging from data analysis and system development to the potential integration of a measurement system into the industrial process.
“Interested companies and research partners are invited to approach the SKZ with their own ideas, challenges, or research topics. Together, we can explore whether these could lead to an industrial project, a publicly funded research project, or a collaborative effort supporting an existing project,” says Marcel Mayer, Senior Scientist at the SKZ.
Further information on non-destructive testing
