Aside from choosing a style that brings you joy, there are a number of aspects to consider when purchasing an instrument case. Depending on your local climate and lifestyle, here are 4 construction properties to bear in mind:
Stability: rates the strength to withstand or endure warping/ torsion
Weight: rates the lightness of the case
Insulation: rates the time of the inside to adapt to the outside temperature
Resistance: rates the protection to impacts
Different Gewa outer shell material technology and their properties:
WOOD
The traditional way of manufacturing a case. Single plies of veneer are cross-laminated under pressure and heat in a mold. After drying of the glue the shell stays in shape.
Properties: Very high torsional strength, medium weight, medium thermal insulation, very good puncture and impact
resistance.
THERMOSHELL
Liquid 2K-PUR foam is injected under heat into a mold. After expanding and curing, the shell can be lined on the inside. On the outer usually a water resistant layer is used. Even wood screws can be fixed in this dense and hard material. By adjusting the two chemical components the mechanical properties can be adjusted.
Properties: High torsional strength, very low weight, outstanding thermal insulation, medium puncture/impact resistance.
POLYFOAM
Hard Polystyrol material is inserted into a firm mold. Steam and gas-air mix inflates the material and heatseals the components. After curing the shell is reinforced with wooden inserts and frames at pressure points.
Properties: High torsional strength (with wood frame), extreme low weight, outstanding thermal insulation, good puncture and impact resistance.
BIO|S
Flax fiber sheets are pressed with high forces and steam into a hot mold,
where it is formed and laminated with the outer lining.
Properties: medium torsional strength, low weight, medium thermal insulation, medium puncture/impact protection.
FIBERGLASS
Fiberglass sheets are saturated with liquid resin and layered in a criss-cross pattern into a negative mold. After drying, the shell stays in shape.
Properties: High torsional strength, low weight, medium thermal insulation properties, excellent puncture and impact resistance.
TITANIUM | X-LITE
Carbon fiber sheets and Fiberglass sheets are saturated with liquid resin and combined with an industry process. After drying, these materials are inseparable.
Properties: high torsional strength, ultra low weight, medium thermal insulation, outstanding puncture and impact resistance.
CARBON
100 % carbon fiber sheets are saturated with liquid resin and arranged in a specific industry process in a negative mold. After curing, a shell emerges in every aspect extraordinary in every way. Carbon fibers are used wherever requirements reach extreme levels in terms of low mass and high strength.
Properties: Highest torsional strength, lowest achievable weight, medium thermal insulation, extreme puncture and impact resistance.
ARAMID
100% aramid fiber sheets are saturated with liquid resin and arranged in a specific patented process in a negative mold. After curing, the shell is extraordinary in every aspect. Aramid fibers are preferably used in safety technology for e.g. in
bulletproof vests for operator protection.
Properties: Highest torsional strength, extremely low weight, medium thermal insulation, highest achievable puncture and
impact resistance.
AIR
The latest development in shell technology. The outer and inner layers are formed independently from each other. In a patented process, the two layers are held apart and liquid 2K-foam is injected into the cavity. While curing, the composite expands and solidifies, filling all holes and gaps.
Properties: very high torsional strength, very low weight, outstanding thermal insulation, extreme puncture and impact resistance.