The dynamic evolution of the global plastics processing industry will be on display and demo-ed on the already sold-out show floor at Fakuma 2015 in October
Exhibition space in Friedrichshafen, Germany, at this year’s Fakuma, the showcase for the global plastics processing industry, is already sold out, well in advance of its October 13-17 billing. Here, we take a brief look at some of the injection-molding technology that will be on show at this popular and hugely important event.
ENGEL AUSTRIA is adopting the slogan “More than a machine” for its presentation at Fakuma 2015. Engel’s entire booth (Hall A5, Booth A5-5204) has been designed as a smart self-optimizing factory, based on three core elements:
- Smart machines that are self-adapting, decentralized systems
- Smart production based on horizontal and vertical data integration
- Smart services that utilize remote maintenance tools
During the trade fair, all the machine data will be collected on a central computer running the ENGEL e-factory MES solution, which is capable of scheduling jobs, querying the injection-molding machines’ states, and creating quality reports and documentation. Trade fair visitors will also gain insights into using the ENGEL e-connect online customer portal, to identify and order spare parts, for example.
KraussMaffei will be exhibiting small- and medium-size injection-molding machines, with a clamping force of up to 3000 kN, in Hall A7, Booth 7303, illustrating how intelligent control and automation solutions can improve productivity. The focus of the exhibit will be applications using the new hydraulic CX machine series, as well as the all-electric AX SilcoSet for processing liquid silicone rubber (LSR).
FiberForm for 40% weight reduction
The FiberForm process developed by KraussMaffei combines injection molding with the thermoforming of composite sheets to further strengthen fiber-reinforced plastics. The resulting lightweight materials enable fiber-reinforced thermoplastic components to be manufactured at particularly high strengths. At Fakuma 2015, a CX 300 will be on show producing airbag housings in a cycle time of 42 seconds.
Milacron, meanwhile, will launch its new Magna T machine at the show, in Hall B3, Booth 3203. Combining the advantages of a precise and accurate toggle mechanism with advanced user-friendly controls, the Magna T Servo is a high-value injection-molding machine that offers energy efficiency while providing outstanding repeatability combined with increased accuracy and precision.
Milacron is also set to launch the Elektron Evolution, which uses 60% less energy and 90% less water than hydraulic injection-molding machines, reducing operating costs substantially. The Elektron Evolution’s stroke precision on the servo-driven axis is significantly greater than that of top-end hydraulic systems, making it particularly suitable for the production of high-precision parts.
Milacron’s award-winning modular Ferromatik-Series comprises high-performance injection-molding machines that embody a modular drive concept. These machines can be specified in electric, hydraulic, or hybrid form. The Ferromatik-Series F120 will be on display at Fakuma, upgraded to a fully automated production cell with an integrated Zahoransky robotic system.
In Hall A1, Booth 1101-1103, Haitian International Germany, a subsidiary of China’s Haitian International, will have in its lineup a cost-efficient variant of the Haitian Mars Series of servo-hydraulic injection-molding machines, which, to date, has achieved sales of more than 120,000 units.
The efficiently configured equipment package is available in clamping-force categories from 600 to 5,300 kN, allowing competitive production of simple standard parts with high energy-efficiency, repeatability, and precision. At Fakuma 2015, an MAII900 machine will manufacture a salad cup made from PP extracted from a Sepro Linear robot.
The lid for the cup, also made of PP, will be produced by a fully-electric 1,500kN Zhafir Venus II Series machine in 4 seconds.
Links:
http://www.kraussmaffei.com/en/press-releases/d/kraussmaffei-at-the-fakuma-2015.html
http://www.haitianinter.com/en/
http://www.haitiangermany.com/en/news/press/?tabdbpr_id=247
Picture courtesy of KraussMaffei: KraussMaffei has reworked its successful CX small machine series with clamping forces from 350 to 1600 kN and consistently taken advantage of every opportunity to increase efficiency.