KRAIBURG TPE provee compuestos con sólidas condiciones para hacer “Fijadores”

Waldkraiburg / Hong Kong, May 28, 2009. Flexible photography from almost any perspective. This is Joby’s promise to digital camera users. The supple “Gorillapod” tripod turns that promise into reality. Joby, a US company, works with manufacturers in China and utilizes compounds formulated by KRAIBURG TPE. The excellent anti-slip properties inherent to these thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) in the THERMOLAST® K group lend the tripod a perfect grip. Its articulated legs can be wrapped around branches, lampposts or even stones. At the same time these compounds achieve faultless bonding with ABS, the resin used for the body of the tripod, and can be worked in a fast and economical two-component co-injection processes. Over and above that, the TPEs can easily be dyed, permitting color variations in the product. They also offer – in addition to their technical functions – maximum freedom for developing customized product designs.

Both attractive and practical: the “Gorillapod” – made with KRAIBURG TPE compounds

While determining how to manufacture the tripod Joby tested elastomers made by a number of companies. The decision in favor of the KRAIBURG TPE products was based above all on their superior bonding to the rigid ABS plastic.  A co-injection process is used to form the soft elements on the 30 or more joints in the three-legged stand, where TPE achieves perfect frictional hold. This lightweight, pocket-sized tripod can hold cameras weighing up to 325 grams and will gain a sure grip on every conceivable surface. The pliable and elastic TPE material attains a firm hold regardless of whether the supporting material is wood, stone or plastic. Flexible joints bend and rotate 360° to form the perfect shape. That is how the “Gorillapod” makes possible snapshots from viewpoints not even thinkable with conventional tripods. And it will provide years of dependable service, as well. The compounds are especially stable, weather  and wear-resistant and scratch-proof. A further criterion for Joby was the fact that the resins can readily be dyed. Their light-colored natural shade makes possible complete and at the same time economical color saturation with a minimum amount of pigment. These shades form a sharp contrast with the black ABS plastic and allow for design variations employing the most subtle color nuances.
KRAIBURG TPE has served as a partner to Joby since 2005, supplying the Chinese production operations with plastic for the “Gorillapod”. With its Malaysian compounding facilities in Balakong, near Kuala Lumpur, and a sales office in Hong Kong the TPE specialist can respond flexibly to any and all design enhancements and to individual requests put forward by the Asian clientele. It can do all this promptly and at competitive prices, a factor not to be underestimated. The firm’s products are flanked by a wide variety of services such as design and product consulting, support in application technology, and logistics services (just-in-time delivery).

About KRAIBURG TPE

KRAIBURG TPE (www.kraiburg-tpe.com) manufactures thermoplastic elastomers based on HSBC (hydrogenated styrene block copolymers) and markets them all around the world. In addition to custom solutions, the company offers under the THERMOLAST® and HIPEX® brand names a broad spectrum of standardized compounds to cover a wide range of applications. The company produces at sites in Germany, the US and Malaysia. KRAIBURG TPE also maintains sales offices in the UK, France, Italy, Spain, China and India.

About Joby

Founded in 2005, Joby, Inc. has established itself as a leader in the design, development and commercialization of innovative consumer products. The award winning Gorillapod™ product line is available in four sizes and is sold in more than 50 countries. Joby is a privately held company headquartered in San Francisco, California. For more information about Joby please visit www.joby.com.

Please direct your questions to:
KRAIBURG TPE GmbH & Co. KG
Lars Goldmann
Friedrich-Schmidt-Straße 2
84478 Waldkraiburg, Germany
Phone: +49 (0)8638.9810-278
Fax: +49 (0)8638.9810-11278
Email: lars.goldmann@kraiburg-tpe.com
www.kraiburg-tpe.com