Frequently asked questions
Answers to the most common questions about IQ Composite materials, technologies and production processes.
Engineering plastics are materials that are designed to work under conditions of high loads, friction, temperature fluctuations and aggressive environments. Unlike conventional plastics, which are used mainly for household or decorative purposes, engineering polymers have predictable mechanical characteristics and can replace metal in industrial units.
Their main difference is in the stability of properties. They do not deform under load so quickly, do not lose their shape during prolonged use and have much better wear resistance. That is why they are used in mechanical engineering, the agricultural sector, the food industry and other industries where reliability is important.
In many cases, yes, and this has long been no longer an experiment, but standard practice. Engineering plastics are used where not only strength is important, but also reducing friction, weight or environmental impact.
For example, in nodes where there is constant friction, plastic can work more efficiently than metal, because it does not require lubrication and does not create such a level of wear. It is also not subject to corrosion and does not react with most chemicals. At the same time, it is important to choose the right material – not all plastics are the same, and not each is suitable for a specific load.
The scope of application is very wide. Most often it is agriculture, mechanical engineering, food industry and materials processing.
In the agricultural sector, plastics are used to reduce wear and tear on machinery and increase the efficiency of equipment. In mechanical engineering – as a replacement for metal parts in friction units. In the food industry – due to its hygiene and chemical inertness. In fact, any process where there is friction, moisture or an aggressive environment is a potential area of application for engineering polymers.
The right choice is always based not on the name of the material, but on its operating conditions. It is important to consider what loads the part will withstand, whether there is contact with abrasive materials, what is the temperature of the environment and whether moisture or chemicals are present. For example, for intense friction and high wear, materials with high wear resistance, such as Tekrone, are suitable. If flexibility or impact resistance is important, it is better to consider polyurethane.
In most cases, the selection is made individually, since even minor differences in conditions can significantly affect the result. That is why, if there are doubts or a non-standard task, it is advisable to consult with specialists – this allows you to avoid mistakes in choosing a material and immediately choose a solution that will be effective in the long term.
Yes, and this is one of the key advantages of engineering plastics. They are easy to process, which allows you to manufacture parts of almost any shape – from simple elements to complex assemblies that work under load.
This makes it possible not only to recreate an existing part, but also to optimize it – to reduce weight, improve geometry or reduce friction in the system. It is important that manufacturing takes place under specific equipment parameters, so the solution is immediately integrated without the need to change the design. The result is not a universal product, but a part that exactly matches the operating conditions and provides stable efficiency.
A composite blade is a plow blade made of an engineered polymer instead of traditional steel. The main difference is not only in the material, but also in the principle of operation: the composite has a significantly lower coefficient of friction, does not accumulate soil on itself and behaves more stably under load.
Metal blades lose their smoothness over time, wear out and begin to “cling” to the soil, especially in wet conditions. This leads to sticking, uneven cultivation and additional load on the equipment. The composite, on the contrary, retains its properties longer and provides more predictable operation throughout the entire period of operation.
Composite blades are most effective in difficult field conditions, such as wet, sticky, or heavy soils, where metal surfaces quickly lose their effectiveness due to sticking. They also perform well in environments with increased wear, such as soils with a lot of sand or fine abrasive particles. In such conditions, the composite retains its shape and performance characteristics longer, which allows you to avoid frequent replacements and maintain consistent quality of cultivation.
In most cases, composite blades are manufactured for specific plow models or according to individual parameters. This allows you to reproduce the geometry of the original part as accurately as possible and ensure correct operation of the equipment.
This approach allows you to integrate a new blade into an existing design without additional changes. As a result, replacement is quick, without complex modifications and without affecting the overall configuration of the equipment.
The service life depends on the operating conditions, but in many cases, composite blades demonstrate a more stable resource. They wear out gradually and evenly, without creating sharp changes in the operation of the plow.
Metal, on the contrary, quickly loses its shape when worn, which immediately affects the quality of processing. Composite allows you to maintain operating characteristics longer, which is especially important when using the equipment intensively during the season.
The problem usually manifests itself gradually. First, soil sticking appears, then the quality of cultivation deteriorates and the load on the tractor increases.
Over time, these factors accumulate and begin to affect overall work productivity. If the equipment requires more effort to perform the same task, this is a clear signal that the working surface has already lost its effectiveness.
Laser welding is suitable for working with various metals, including steel, stainless steel and aluminum. In some cases, it is also possible to join dissimilar metals, but this requires precise selection of parameters.
Each material has its own characteristics – for example, aluminum quickly dissipates heat, and stainless steel is more stable during the welding process. That is why before performing the work, the compatibility of the materials is assessed and the optimal mode is selected.
In most cases, laser welding produces such a neat seam that additional finishing is not required. The surface remains clean, without significant traces of overheating or metal deposits. However, if the product has high requirements for appearance or is used in visible structures, additional finishing may be performed – grinding or polishing.
Yes, this is one of the strengths of the technology. Thanks to the point effect of the laser, it is possible to work with parts of complex geometry, including narrow areas, internal joints or hard-to-reach places.
This allows welding to be performed where other methods may be limited due to the size of the equipment or uncontrolled thermal effects. As a result, more complex engineering solutions can be implemented without the risk of deformation or damage to the part.
Laser welding works best with thin and medium thicknesses of metal, where precision and minimal thermal impact are important. As the material thickness increases, the process becomes more difficult, as more energy is required to penetrate.
In such cases, welding modes may need to be changed or alternative technologies may need to be considered. That is why it is important to evaluate the material parameters and determine whether a laser will be the optimal solution for a particular task before starting work.
Yes, laser welding provides high repeatability of the result. After setting the parameters, the process remains stable, which allows you to obtain the same quality of the seam on a large number of parts.
This is especially important for serial production, where even minor deviations can affect the quality of the final product. Automation of the process also reduces the influence of the human factor and increases the overall efficiency of production.
Laser cutting provides a very high level of precision thanks to the narrow beam and precise process control. This allows for parts with minimal deviations from the specified dimensions and stable repeatability in series production.
Compared to mechanical or thermal processing methods, lasers allow for better detailing, especially with complex contours or small elements. This significantly reduces the need for additional processing after cutting.
After laser cutting, the edge is usually smooth, neat and without significant burrs. Due to the local heat effect, the heat affected zone is minimal, which allows you to avoid deformations and preserve the structure of the material.
In most cases, the parts are ready for further use without additional processing. If the product has high requirements for appearance, light grinding or cleaning can be performed to achieve the perfect result.
Yes, this is one of the key advantages of the technology. The laser allows you to perform complex contours, internal cuts and small elements with high accuracy. At the same time, the quality of the cut remains stable even in difficult areas.
This opens up the possibility of manufacturing parts with complex geometry without the need to use several different processing methods. As a result, production is simplified and the accuracy of the final product is increased.
The risk of deformation with laser cutting is significantly lower than with traditional methods, since the heat affects only a narrow area. This allows you to preserve the geometry of the part even when working with thin sheets of metal.
Thanks to this, the parts after cutting have a stable shape and do not require additional alignment. This is especially important for products that must fit together precisely.
Laser cutting is the optimal solution in cases where accuracy, edge cleanliness and the ability to perform complex shapes without additional processing are important.
If the part has complex geometry, high quality requirements or is manufactured in series, this technology allows you to achieve the best result. If in doubt, contact us – we will help you assess the task and choose the optimal processing method.
A protective auger flight is designed to reduce wear on metal augers and extend their service life. It absorbs the majority of friction and operational stress, which is especially important when handling abrasive or bulk materials.
Yes. Tekrone® and polyurethane flights can be installed even on worn augers. This makes it possible to restore equipment performance without replacing the entire auger assembly.
The most commonly used materials are Tekrone® engineering plastic and polyurethane. These materials provide excellent wear resistance, a low coefficient of friction, and reliable performance in demanding operating conditions.
Yes. Thanks to its low coefficient of friction, a plastic flight helps reduce the load on motors and other system components. This minimizes equipment wear and improves operational efficiency and stability.
Augers equipped with Tekrone® flights are widely used in agriculture, manufacturing, material processing, bulk solids handling, and other industries where wear resistance and dependable equipment performance are critical.
Harvester header protection helps reduce wear on critical working surfaces and protects equipment from mechanical damage during field operations.
Header protection components are manufactured from engineering plastics and composite materials that offer outstanding wear resistance and impact strength.
Yes. Properly designed header protection can improve operational stability and help reduce material buildup on working surfaces, contributing to smoother harvesting performance.
Composite materials provide excellent resistance to abrasion, impact, and mechanical stress, significantly extending the service life of equipment components.
In most cases, installation does not require significant modifications to the equipment and can be completed using standard mounting methods.
Yes. Parts can be manufactured based on technical drawings, specifications, or individual customer requirements.
Depending on the application, materials such as Tekrone®, polyurethane, and other engineering plastics are selected to provide the required mechanical and operational properties.
In many applications, yes. Engineering plastics offer low friction, high wear resistance, corrosion resistance, and reduced weight, making them an effective alternative to metal components.
Yes. When the appropriate material is selected, engineering plastic components can operate reliably under mechanical loads and in high-friction environments.
Engineering plastic components are widely used in agriculture, manufacturing, food processing, mechanical engineering, material handling systems, and many other industrial applications.
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