GRAUX specializes in vacuum and ion implantation

GRAUX – Contributes to the development of an innovative technology with Walibeam

In 2017, GRAUX joined the Walibeam platform. The platform is the result of a consortium of companies including AGC Glass Europe, Ionics, GRAUX and CRM, as well as the research and development center Materio Nova. The objective of this association is to develop prototypes of surface treatment by ion implantation and to bring them to maturity for large-scale production.

As a manufacturer of high-tech machines and contributor to this initiative, GRAUX is pleased to be able to participate in the technological influence of Wallonia with renowned partners. This cooperation allows GRAUX to realize a prototype of a surface treatment machine in very high vacuum environments (1.6 x 10 exp -7), combining specific welded assemblies and advanced leak tests.

First prototype for ion implantation surface treatment presented at Hannover Fair 2018, Germany

The Hannover Fair, “Hannover Messe”, held from April 23 to 27, 2018 in the capital of Lower Saxony, is the world’s largest industrial and technology fair. More than 230,000 trade visitors and 5,000 journalists met more than 6,500 exhibitors from 75 countries. An exceptional showcase to highlight the know-how of the companies united in the Walibeam platform. This year’s ion implantation surface treatment prototype, manufactured and assembled by GRAUX in partnership with AGC Glass Europe, was the star of the collective space organized by Wallonie-Bruxelles International (WBI) and the Walloon Export Agency (AWEX).

A new way of conceiving surface treatment.

Ion implantation transforms the surface of materials physically or chemically, without raising the temperature, by bombarding them with a beam of very high energy ions. This process is particularly suitable for all industries that use high value mechanical parts.