Workpiece carriers for ceramic components

Reliable component handling for brittle high-precision parts - with stainless steel and PA6 GF30

In the production of ceramic components, every detail counts: the components are highly precise but brittle - and often the last step in a long, cost-intensive process chain. Even minimal incorrect loads lead to flaking, stress cracks or unusable batches.

ZELL workpiece carriers have been specially developed to meet this challenge: they offer stress-free, safe and standardized handling for brittle components - across all stations: from sintering to testing, cleaning or final packaging.

‍

Advantages

• Production manager: Minimization of breakage and rework, robust in everyday use
• Process engineers: Process stability with changing component geometries
• Quality management: traceability and defined stock levels
• Purchasing: Reusable, standardizable, economical over the life cycle

‍

Technical requirements in ceramic production

Ceramic components place high demands on workpiece carriers:

• ❌ No elastic deformation → No classic clamping possible
• 🧱 Mechanically brittle → Avoid point loads at all costs
• 📏 Tight tolerances → repeatable positioning required
• 🧼 Cleanliness is crucial → cleanable & low-particle required
• 🔁 Wide range of variants → Customizable mounting for series and small batch production

‍

Robust system carriers for ceramic components

ZELL deliberately uses only two industrially proven materials:

• V2A stainless steel - for load-bearing structure, temperature and cleaning resistant
• PA6 GF30 - glass fiber reinforced, abrasion-resistant, stress-resistant, durable

This combination of materials offers a good balance of stability, damping and precision - ideal for brittle components such as:

• Technical ceramics (e.g. Al₂O₃, ZrO₂, Si₃N₄)
• Sensor carriers, insulators, DCB substrates
• Implant sleeves, milling cores, piezo ceramics

‍

🏭 Application scenarios - universally applicable:

After sintering

Storage and transfer without pressure - no stresses or hairline cracks

In CNC machining / laser ablation

Form or force-free positioning, without affecting sensitive edges

In cleaning (ultrasonic / spray cleaning)

Carrier resistant to aqueous and alkaline media, permeable construction

In the final inspection / QA

Fixed, correctly positioned mounting - contact-free on functional surfaces

In packaging / logistics

Stackable carrier systems, suitable for traceability with engraving or RFID

‍

📈 Economic & technical benefits for your plant

✔️ Breakage reduction of >80 %
Thanks to stress-free mounts and defined bearing surfaces

✔️ >500 process cycles validated
Durable & reusable in series production

✔️ Reduced set-up times & sources of error
Clearly defined component position, ideal for automated transfer

✔️ Clean, residue-free processes
Resistant to cleaning media - no foreign particles, no delamination

✔️ Traceability through serial engraving / DMC / RFID
Ideal for products requiring documentation in aviation, medical technology, automotive

‍

🔍 Conclusion: Standardize the risk - not the component

Ceramic components can only be processed economically in series production if handling is reliable, standardized and damage-free. This is precisely where ZELL workpiece carriers come in - with defined protection, technical simplicity and a clear focus on everyday industrial use.

Whether automated or manual, wet or dry, raw or finished:
One system - all processes.

‍

📩 Start request now

We would be happy to develop a customized support solution based on your geometry, including a CAD model, service life test and cost-benefit assessment for your specific application.

‍