Bedrijfsomschrijving

Helvoet, established in 1939, is internationally active in custom-made development and manufacturing of single and assembled plastic and rubber components. Helvoet’s competitive advantage in its market lies in developing and manufacturing complete assemblies for a number of product groups in various application areas. For assembled products, the application of innovative rubber, plastic and assembly technology plays a prominent role.

Most products delivered by Helvoet are close-tolerance items requiring high-level process control.

Due to many decades of experience, Helvoet accumulated unique expertise and knowledge of product development and various production processes for rubber and plastic products, for instance as a supplier to the automotive industry. Optimal process control is central to Helvoet, for both small and very large series, since the products made by Helvoet often have a safety function. Additionally, due to a structured product/market approach, a deep level of knowledge and experience within specific fields of application is required. Fields of application where innovative thinking power is a pre-condition for further growth and development. This necessitates a flexible organisation, combined with functional know-how and knowledge of development and process, which Helvoet can offer you. This makes Helvoet your ideal partner in business.

Quality Management

Helvoet has a clear objective with respect to the required quality policy. ‘We deliver the quality that our customers expect us to deliver’. This means that Helvoet at the very least complies with ISO 9001. Additionally, quality assurance methods, such as FMEA, APQP, SPC, MSA, continual improvement and 0 ppm have been integrated in our process for years.

However, for our customers in, amongst others, the automotive industry, the ISO standard did not suffice. This industry developed new standards, such as the German VDA 6.1, the French EAQF, the American QS 9000 and the Italian AVSQ. As a supplier, a company must comply with at least one of these automotive standards. From these standards QS 9000 became the world standard.

However, even these automotive standards do not last forever.

ISO/TS 16949 has been agreed to replace the above-mentioned standards, which allows for one uniform standard. QS 9000 will therefore be replaced by the end of 2006. Helvoet in Hellevoetsluis will be audited in the 3rd quarter of 2005. Meanwhile Helvoet in Lommel and Loni are certified according to ISO/TS 16949.

Producten

Products:
- CONTROL SYSTEMS
- DOSING SYSTEMS
- HIGH PERFORMANCE MATERIALS
- SEALING TECHNOLOGY


CONTROL SYSTEMS

Control Systems focuses on single products made from rubber and plastic to be used in control systems. In view of the systems’ safety function, these products must comply with the highest requirements.

Additionally, products of an ever-higher complexity level are introduced, combining various functionalities in one system, such as valve and membrane functions. Helvoet’s products are integrated in a variety of control systems that guarantee reliability and safety. For instance, you come across our products in air inlet and fuel systems for passenger cars and braking systems for lorries.

Helvoet predominantly works for system suppliers delivering to various end manufacturers (OEM’s). For this reason, Helvoet develops and manufactures various model variations with the same functionality. Helvoet therefore provides flexible production and assembly lines, enabling high volume production and product evolution. Guaranteed process assurance is one of the leading quality criteria.

Helvoet is also very active in converting bonding products from rubber-metal to rubber-plastic. This often results in significant cost reductions and a decrease in product weight. The use of 2K and plastic LSR allows for a simplification of the assembly process, making one process phase redundant. An example is the membrane rod for assembly in the vacuum actuator of a passenger car.

Helvoet also processes fluor-elastomers for parts that are in contact with fuel and oil. Developing, adapting or testing these mixtures is part of the competencies of the Helvoet Technology Centre (HTC).



DOSING SYSTEMS

Dosing Systems focuses on complex dosing products or close tolerance components for dosing products. These products are designed to dose the exact quantity – every single time. The technique and quality of Helvoet products guarantee a reliable, repetitive ease of use. These products are applied in equipment for foodstuffs, personal care and household equipment.

Where can you come across our products?
In conjunction with an engineering office Helvoet developed the Disposable Beer Tube (DBT) for a major beer brewer. This system is specifically intended for minor catering locations such as (sports) canteens/bars and small restaurants, where the beer taps are not used all day, every day. The DBT is connected to a 20-litre barrel, and when the barrel is empty, the DBT can be thrown out. This guarantees for the beer quality to remain constant, precluding the need for cleaning and disinfecting the hoses. The DBT is assembled on a fully automated assembly machine at Helvoet.

Spray cans for spray and foam without propellants are quite ubiquitous in the personal care market. This environmentally friendly technology provides the manufacturer of these pump systems with an important competitive advantage. A major proportion of these precision components for this innovative technology are produced in series of millions per year at Helvoet.

Helvoet manufactures syringes for the veterinary industry used to inject cows affected by udder infection with a medicinal ointment. The syringes are obviously produced in an environment complying with the strictest hygiene standards, and are used throughout the world.

The customer for this steam iron pump applies a standardised dosing system in irons for the first time. The resulting scale of economy provided a significant cost reduction. Helvoet made a substantial contribution to developing this steam iron pump. The pump is manufactured at Helvoet Singapore on a fully automated production line.

The Modular Dosing Unit is another example of economy of scale with a significant contribution from Helvoet Singapore. As the name implies, this concerns one type of dosing unit that can be applied in various types of steam irons. The MDU ensures that the steam volume can be adjusted in four intervals. In contrast to the pump, this unit is assembled manually rather than in a fully automated line.


HIGH PERFORMANCE MATERIALS

Helvoet is a front runner in the processing of high performance materials, to allow for very accurate and stable plastic parts. This capability is especially valuable to the automotive market as well as to other demanding environments.

We have acquired a leading position in plastic parts for in-tank fuel pumps. With parts such as impellers, fuel inlet and outlet. As these components need to be very accurate and fuel resistant, we have developed unique competences in high precision injection moulding of phenolic and PPS materials.

We have unique knowledge in the design of high accuracy moulds, including ones with rotating cores, and finishing techniques in order to meet precision on micron-level.
Due to increasing performance demands and the need for cost competitive solutions the trend from metal to plastic in automotive is continuing. With high performance plastic materials now also conquering more and more applications close to the engine. Our unique know-how of thermoplastics and thermosetting materials makes us your development partner and manufacturer for ‘under the hood’ applications. In close cooperation with our customers we are developing housings and functional parts for various engine sub systems, such as electronic throttle control and vacuum pumps.

With our engineering and material expertise as well as lab facilities we have a proven track record and a leading role in this specific part of the automotive industry.


SEALING TECHNOLOGY

Sealings are one of Helvoet’s special competencies. The market for sealings not only sets a high standard for materials, but also for issues such as dimensional tolerance (extremely close tolerance). Helvoet sealings can, for example, be found in gas and water applications, in domestic appliances and personal care equipment.

For sealing gas control blocks in central heating installations, the material is of crucial importance. The reliability and safety of these sealings is optimal and guaranteed by achieving a high degree of precision in production, and batch-based inspection for leaking and sticking. Helvoet also adds benefits to burners in central heating installations, for example the injection moulding of silicone burner gaskets. If required, a special colour-coded coating can be applied. Where necessary, these sealings can also be vulcanised to metal via a chemical or mechanical process. This reduces the number of assembly steps, and thus can help reduce your costs. Helvoet also manufactures sealings for hot and cold water applications, such as thermostatic valves, float membranes, mechanical union, safety valves and sanitary installations.

Helvoet also focuses on tailor-made products for industrial niche markets. These products are subject to strict requirements as far as function is concerned. For instance, we develop and manufacture rubber rolls for mail sorting machines, profiles for sunroofs in cars, various components for separation walls in interior building, electric-insulating rubber covers for transformer plants, various types of special hose pieces and vibration isolation.

For the production of these items, Helvoet deploys a range of methods, applying various materials. Apart from the classic rubber types, materials such as silicones and fluor elastomers are used.

Materialen

• Elastomeer
• Thermoplast

Certificaten

• ISO 9000
• QS 9000

Bijzondere productiefaciliteiten

• Spuitgieten rubber vormdelen
  spuitgieten kunststof vormdelen
  extrusie rubber