Toko Research and Development

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Toko Research and Development
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Toko has an awesome laboratory and testing
facility in Altstaetten, Switzerland
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In this laboratory, there are two full time
scientists as well as some interns. Toko also
has a scientist embedded in a Chemical company
with which Toko has strong cooperation.
Meet Judith
and Udo
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Judith and Udo are truly the core of Tokos
competence as a wax company. They are the
innovators with the science know-how to break
into new frontiers. Neither of them fit the mold
of the pocket protector scientist with the
broken glasses. Both are very fit and active in
outdoor sports. Both Judith and Udo mountain
bike and ski regularly. Udo also competes at a
very high level in Judo and rides a Harley. They
inject creativity, expertise, and fun into our
company.
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Judith and Udo have some tremendous resources
available to them. The machines and devices that
they have in the lab are impressive.
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What kind of scientific apparatae do Judith and
Udo have at their disposal?
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Differential Scanning Calorimetry
? Substance identification ? Purity tests/Quality
control ? Identification of melting and gaseous
points of synthetic materials ? Identification of
decomposition points ? -130F to 1652F temp
range ? Cost 128,000
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Differential Scanning Calorimetry
? Exposes wax (or substance) to Heat and Oxygen
or Nitrogen and yeids a reaction which gives
accurate information on ingredients and
properties of wax
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Differential Scanning Calorimetry
? Provides read out showing properties of wax ?
Gives breakdown of ingredients and at what
percentages
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Infrared Spectrascope
? Short Wave IR ? For identifying organic
substances ? Direct identification of molecular
structure ? Quality control ? Identifies multiple
elements within one substance, how much, and what
properties ? Cost 75,000 plus a 90,000
microscope
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Halogen Dryer
? For the identification of solids within liquids
and pastes ? Evaporates everything that can
possibly evaporate and identifies what is solid ?
Quality control ? Raw material identification ?
Identifies pureness ? Cost 15,000
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pH Meter
? Measures exact pH value ? Quality control ?
Cost 10,000
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Vibramax 100
? Determines stability of liquids ? Excellent for
mixing ? Quality control ? Cost 1100
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Rotating Evaporator
? Increases the concentration of a solution ?
Separates solvents and evaporable substances from
non-evaporable liquids and solids ? Measures
quantities of certain active substances ? Cost
3,000
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Needle Probe Hardness Tester
? Measures the hardness of a substance at 77F ?
Cost 15,000
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Stress Tech Recovery Meter
? Measures viscosity and elasticity ? Especially
useful in developing kick waxes ? Cost 90,000
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Electronic and Optical Microscope
? Control or determine particle size ? Quality
control ? Cost 15,000
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Refractometer
? Measures the index of refraction of liquid
substances ? Quality control ? Cost 1500
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New Product Formulation and Testing
Hundreds of new formulations of glide waxes, grip
waxes, and klisters are tested each year
including adjustments of existing formulations as
well as completely new raw materials and
concepts. Toko is the company that drives
innovation in ski wax.
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Ski Storage and Wax Room
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Ski Storage and Wax Room
Infrared Waxing
Test Fleets
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Collaborating in testing and evaluating with race
service department, coreteam, and other entities
? Coreteam meetings ? Written reports ?
Application methods discussed and tested ? Areas
needing improvement identified ? Opportunities
for new development or direction brainstormed and
identified ? Action plan with timetable set
established
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Christian Stalder World Cup Snowboard Race
Service
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Steffen Hoos World Cup Nordic Race Service
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Heinz Kolly World Cup Alpine Race Service
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National Teams and other teams including Toko
Tech Team
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Big Picture
? Possible effective new substances are
researched and tested ? Trends are documented ?
Test result analysis ? Conclusions reached
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Examples of Toko Innovation
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Stay Tuned for Further Exciting Developments!
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