Tool and mold making for thermoforming, PET blow molding and injection molding – designed, manufactured and assembled in Schwaigern.
KIEFER Werkzeugbau GmbH
SchwaigernNew on Amplifa
Specialist in mold making for over 35 years
Since its founding in 1987, KIEFER Werkzeugbau GmbH has developed into a specialist in tool making and mold making for plastics processing. The company in Schwaigern manufactures thermoforming tools (sheet and thin-gauge as well as plate and heavy-gauge tools), stretch blow molds for PET packaging, and injection molding tools including prototype and series tools and mold inserts. The entire value chain takes place under one roof: in-house design and engineering, 5-axis CNC machining, 3D printing, final assembly and quality management. The offering is complemented by plug-assist technology (blanks and finished plugs), tool standards such as automatic clamping modules and steel-rule dies, IML automation technology, and worldwide after-sales service including overhaul, repair and spare parts supply. Customers come primarily from the packaging, beverage, food film, household chemicals and cosmetics industries. KIEFER tools are in use worldwide.
- Site
- Schwaigern
- Processes
- Thermoforming tool making (thermoforming base tools and mold tool sets), Blow molds / stretch blow molds for PET packaging, Injection mold making (prototype and series tools, mold inserts), Development & engineering / in-house design, 5-axis machining (CNC manufacturing), Final assembly of molds and tools, Quality assurance using state-of-the-art metrology, Tool overhauls, repairs, maintenance, regrinding work
- Materials
- Epoxy resin with glass hollow spheres (plug-assist material S 35), Plug-assist material S 45 (epoxy, higher heat/abrasion resistance), Hytac B1X (syntactic thermoplastic), Hytac FLXT (syntactic thermoplastic), Hytac FLX (epoxy copolymer with glass hollow spheres), Hytac WFT (epoxy resin with glass hollow spheres and Teflon), Hytac XTL (syntactic thermoplastic), Hytac C1R (copolymer, micro-fine surface)
- Certificates
- DIN ISO 9001:2015, ISO 9001
- Founded
- 1987
- Industries
- Plastics processing, Packaging industry, Food packaging, Beverage industry, Household chemicals, Cosmetics
- 01
Design/Engineering (in-house)
- 02
CNC machining (5-axis) and 3D printing
- 03
Plug-assist machining
- 04
Final assembly of molds and tools
- 05
Quality assurance
- 06
Commissioning and worldwide service
Materials and processes
Tool steel
Base material for thermoforming base tools and mold tool sets.
Aluminum
Material for thermoforming base tools and mold tool sets.
Steel rule
Used for steel-rule dies in combined forming and cutting tools.
Epoxy resin with glass hollow spheres (S 35)
Plug-assist material with FDA code for food packaging, density 0.67 g/cm³, temperature up to 177 °C.
Plug-assist material S 45 (epoxy)
Plug-assist material with higher heat and abrasion resistance (232 °C) than S 35.
Hytac (B1X, FLXT, FLX, WFT, XTL, C1R)
Syntactic plug-assist materials for various thermoforming requirements.
Delrin (POM)
Plug-assist material and form-fitting core in the self-centering steel-rule die.
Form 2X
Syntactic plug-assist material in the KIEFER product range.
PET
Packaging material for stretch blow molds for the beverage industry, household chemicals and cosmetics.
Locations
Schwaigern
DEHeadquarters: design, manufacturing (5-axis CNC), assembly, quality management
- Materials
- Tool steel, aluminum, steel rule, plug-assist materials
- 5-axis machining centers
- 3D printers
Molds and tools
Inside the production
Industries
Processes & technical limits
| Processes | Tolerance | Max. part | Weight | Lot size | Materials |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thermoforming tool making (thermoforming base tools and mold tool sets)Engineering | – | – | – | – | Tool steel, Aluminum |
| Blow molds / stretch blow molds for PET packagingEngineering | – | – | – | – | – |
| Injection mold making (prototype and series tools, mold inserts)Engineering | – | – | – | – | Plastic |
| Development & engineering / in-house designEngineering | – | – | – | – | – |
| 5-axis machining (CNC manufacturing)Machining | – | – | – | – | – |
| Final assembly of molds and toolsAssembly | – | – | – | – | – |
| Quality assurance using state-of-the-art metrologyTesting | – | – | – | – | – |
| Tool overhauls, repairs, maintenance, regrinding workEngineering | – | – | – | – | – |
| Separate forming and cutting thermoforming tools (RD, RV, RDK machines)Engineering | – | – | – | – | – |
| Combined forming and cutting tools with steel-rule die and through-cutEngineering | – | – | – | – | Steel rule |
| Form, fill and seal tools (FFS)Engineering | – | – | – | – | – |
| Plate and heavy gauge tools for technical parts, pallets, traysEngineering | – | – | – | – | – |
| Manufacture of mold inserts / complete changeover setsMachining | – | – | – | – | – |
| Plug-assist machining / finished plugs from blanksMachining | – | – | – | – | Epoxy resin, Hytac, Delrin (POM), Form 2X |
| Manufacture of automatic clamping modules (ASM 20010, ASM 70010)Engineering | ± 0,05 mm | – | – | – | Hardened steel |
| Manufacture of self-centering steel-rule die (SZB)Engineering | +/- 1.5 mm (maximum deviation from center) | – | – | – | Steel rule, Delrin |
| Automation technology / IML solutionsAssembly | – | – | – | – | – |
2 Anlagen & Maschinen
| Machine | Manufacturer / model | Quantity | Working area | Year built | Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3D printer | – | – | – | – | Schwaigern |
| 5-axis machining center | – | – | – | – | Schwaigern |
Additional services
Quality management
Standardized processes and DIN ISO 9001:2015-certified procedures ensure smooth manufacturing. The precision of mold inserts and individual parts is permanently monitored using state-of-the-art metrology in order to minimize sources of error in final assembly.
| Evidence | Schwaigern |
|---|---|
| ISO 9001 |
Company history
- 1987
Company founded by Ulrich Kiefer; development into a specialist in tool making for plastics processing