A turbo aging device that refines customer requirements
The reason: his company specialises in the rapid transformation of nondescript crystals into brightly coloured precious stones, copying a natural process that would take Mother Nature millions of years. What sounds like magic is actually just physics as behind the turbo aging device is nothing other than a powerful electron accelerator. And it can also do a lot more. And Kaufhold and his 18 man team from the company will be demonstrating everything it can do at the Hannover trade fair.
The topaz is one of the hardest precious stones and one of the most popular, which is why jewellery manufacturers like it so much. "It is particularly popular in India and China," highlights Yves Kaufhold. Until 2009, Herotron offered its services almost exclusively to jewellery manufacturers from abroad. To success, with the company becoming market leader within a short time. In other words: around 80 percent of the topaz to be processed world-wide was previously irradiated in Thalheim. Or expressed otherwise: at peak times, 200 million carats are refined in just one week which is equivalent to a quantity of 0.4 tonnes.
The bulk of the work is completed by two electron accelerators which together cost 18 million Euros. "They produce ionising radiation without radioactive isotopes," explains operations manager Kaufhold. The precious stones are bombarded with accelerated electrodes in the interior of the devices. The high energy which is released changes the crystal lattice in the material. This means impinging light is broken up otherwise. This is a positive effect as it ensures that the topaz subsequently shimmers in the typical shades of blue.
It is a procedure that Yves Kaufhold swears on. Born locally in Wolfen, he has been working at Herotron since it was established in 2004. Since then he has been through highs and lows, and the financial crisis didn't leave the company unscathed. "The basis of the precious stone business is the Dollar which lost a lot of its value at that time," the mechanical technician explains, who returned to his home region after completing his degree at Heidelberg University of Applied Sciences.
In order to achieve greater diversification and to be equipped better for crises in individual areas of business, in 2010, Herotron extended its product range. Of benefit to the Thalheim company is the fact that the electron beam equipment offers a variety of uses. The reason: accelerated electrons release different effects in different materials. Put in simple terms, they get the best out of every material.
In this context it was possible to extend the procedure to completely different areas of business without converting the system. Kaufhold's philosophy: "It is possible to optimise any material." Especially semi-conductors and polymers. This is equally relevant to the car industry as it is for manufacturers of photovoltaic systems. "We see ourselves as being a service provider who makes their customer's products better," explains Kaufhold.
The sterilisation of medical products - a new area of business. Just a few seconds of radiation are enough to remove all traces of germs from disposable syringes or infusion lines. The principle is extremely straightforward: the electron bombardment means free radicals are created that destroy unwanted micro organisms.
The required TÜV certificate is posted in the Herotron meeting room. The new service is proving extremely popular among manufacturers of disposable medical products. And in this area, the superiority of the process is also clear. "Sterilisation with the help of electron radiation is efficient and cost effective," explains Kaufhold. As a comparison: medical products are normally cleansed of germs using radioactive isotopes or with the highly toxic gas ethylene oxide. This isn't only expensive; it also has a negative impact on the environment.
Negotiations with potential customers are currently ongoing in Thalheim. The first germ-free medical products will soon leave the Thalheim works. Yves Kaufhold is confident: "Our electron accelerators operate with a reliability rating of 97 percent. And if required, we can leave them to run 8,400 hours a year - practically around the clock."
Author/Photographer: Ines Godazgar
Contact:
Herotron E-Beam Service GmbH
Guardianstraße 6-10
06766 Bitterfeld-Wolfen
ph: +49 3494 6666131
E-Mail: kaufhold.ignore@herotron.com