WITTMANN Showroom

Fighting Dust and Noise in Regrind Operations

Mayhew Basque Plastics implemented lower speed granulators to deal with challenging materials.

Lower Compressed Air Consumption, Compact Servo-Driven Rotary Axes and Easier Camera Integration

At Fakuma 2024, Wittmann automation displays show high performance and efficiency via less compressed air and energy consumption, compact integration, light-weight construction, easy operation and fast teach-in processes.

Servo-Hydraulic Injection Molding Machine With an Electric Injection Unit Premieres

Fakuma 2024: Wittmann Battenfeld says the 2K SmartPower Combimould features a new electric injection unit option.

Equipment Suppliers Show Adaptability and Smarts at TaipeiPlas 2024

Customizable equipment solutions, warm hand-off support, and seamless software integrations highlight Taiwan’s plastics show.

NPE2024 Wrap-Up: Sustainability Dominates Show Floor News

Across all process types, sustainability was a big theme at NPE2024. But there was plenty to see in automation and artificial intelligence as well.

Standalone Servo-Driven Sprue Picker

Wittmann recently introduced a standalone version of its WX90 sprue removal robot capable of working with virtually any brand of injection molding machine.

Temperature Controller Accepts Renewable, DC Power

Wittmann’s newest temperature controller — the Tempro plus DC — can use direct current (DC) power generated by solar panels without conversion loss.

Custom Automation for Stack Mold Applications

Wittmann has developed dual high-speed, top-entry robots to provide faster cycle times, lower payload requirements and flexible process flow in stack mold applications.

Wittmann Shifts Some Production out of Austria

Manufacture of several core products, including specific models and sizes of injection molding machines, automation and auxiliaries have shifted out of Austria and into Hungary, Bulgaria and Turkey.

Smart Works Cells at the Heart of Wittmann’s Exhibit

NPE2024: Under the theme of “It's All Wittmann,” the supplier of injection molding machines, automation and auxiliary equipment is hoping to show NPE attendees what comes with true connectivity.

Educating the Next Generation of Plastics Professionals

These schools and local industry are working together to close the workforce gap in the plastics industry by offering hefty plastics curricula and training programs for degree-seeking students as well as current plastics employees looking to upskill.

IMM Cells Display Communications, Energy Measurement and Energy Recovery

NPE2024: Wittmann is featuring five injection molding machines incorporating its range of robotics and auxiliaries, with all products employing industry 4.0 communications, energy measurement and a brand-new red color.

Wittmann Establishes Subsidiary in Vietnam

Wittmann Vietnam Co. Ltd., located in Ho Chi Minh City and serving as a wholly owned sales and service subsidiary in Vietnam, expands the company’s market presence in Southeast Asia.

Making the Circular Economy a Reality

Driven by brand owner demands and new worldwide legislation, the entire supply chain is working toward the shift to circularity, with some evidence the circular economy has already begun.

Servo-Driven Sprue Picker

Wittmann says switching to a servodrive for the WX90 sprue picker results in faster movements, more controlled axes and reduced energy consumption.

Higher Efficiency and Temperatures in TCUs

At Fakuma, Wittmann’s temperature control unit (TCU) displays featured a prototype Tempro capable of achieving 200°C (392°F) in process temperature and the application of EcoDrive motors.

Wittmann Finds Battery Partner for Direct Current (DC) Molding Machine Concept

Displaying the solar-powered press at Fakuma 2023 following its K 2022 debut, Wittmann announced a development partnership with Innovenergy for DC infrastructure.

Central Controller, Energy-Efficient Pump for Conveying

Wittmann debuts new control system and pump at Fakuma.

Fakuma 2023: More Details on New Machine Line

Wittmann Battenfeld has released more details on the new EcoPower B8X debuting at Fakuma (October 17-21; Friedrichshafen, Germany), which it previously announced.

Fakuma 2023: Wittmann Battenfeld Expands All-Electric Line, Direct-Current Capabilities

Wittmann Battenfeld will introduce the new EcoPower B8X injection molding machine line and show direct current as an energy source for a concept machine that will power its own robot.

Customer Service App Redesigned

Introduced in 2014, Wittmann’s WiBA Connect app has been updated based on customer feedback and renamed WiConnect!

Five Quick Steps Toward Better Blending

Rising costs of resins and additives, along with higher demands for quality and use of regrind, place a premium on proficient blending. Here are some steps to get you there.

Internal Gas Pressure Molding Offers Sustainability Benefits

Wittmann Battenfeld says its upgraded Airmould 4.0 technology, which features a more compact footprint, saves material and cycle time — thereby also cutting energy use.

Wittmann Battenfeld PTXPO Spotlight

Wittmann Battenfeld discusses the upcoming Plastics Technology Expo (PTXPO) March 28-30

Machine Intelligence Mobilized Against Waste

Part quality was naturally the first target of autonomous molding algorithms, but later developments have focused increasingly on preventing wasted time, energy, material and hardware maintenance.

Wittmann Delivers Injection Molding Workcell to Alabama Community College

Southern Union State Community College (SUSCC) installed the Wittmann SmartPower120 molding machine with an integrated robot, temperature control unit (TCU) and dryer to support its plastics education program.

Automation Evolution: From Robots to Work Cells, Solo Devices to Integrated Systems

Injection molding automation has progressed from devices to systems, from simplicity to more complex capabilities. The author traces this development through various levels of automation – all still available choices today – and analyzes the costs and capabilities for each level.

Answering the Sustainability Challenge with Digitalization

Attendees in the molding halls of K can count on exhibits that address two main themes: digitalization and sustainability. Digitalization in the form of smarter pieces of equipment communicating with each other and with plant personnel; and sustainability in the form of greater energy efficiency and the ability to process recycled and renewable resins.

Molds Promise Process Optimization for Smaller Carbon Footprints

Five Haidlmair tools running at K 2022 will showcase optimized cooling for faster cycles and the ability to run recyclate for more sustainable molding.

Regrind On the Mind

Discarding runners and scrap would always give most molders pause, but with record-high resin prices and sustainability front and center, putting those materials into parts instead of a dumpster is more important than ever.

Mack Molding Adding Five New Injection Molding Machines

The three Cincinnati Milacron’s and two Wittmann Battenfeld’s, ranging in size from 1433 to 2500 tons, are destined for Mack’s Arlington, Vt. headquarters and Inman, S.C. facilities.

‘Learn to Embrace Variability’

Wait. What? Variability in raw materials is supposed to be the last thing anyone would want to ‘embrace.’ But if you substitute ‘circular economy’ for ‘variability’ and ‘manage with technology’ for ‘embrace’—then the mystery starts to clear.

Injection Molding Live Demos to Highlight First-Ever PTXPO

Major suppliers will be running injection machines in the first plastics industry trade show in the Chicago area since 2009.

Injection Molder Sees Huge Growth in Recycling

Wittmann Battenfeld's material-handling systems and engineering support helped Monoflo International reprocess more than 60 million lb of plastics over 10 years.

Wittmann Group to Drop Battenfeld Name in Branding

The Austrian based maker of injection molding machine, robotics and auxiliaries had combined the brand names for injection molding related offerings, reflecting its acquisition of Battenfeld in 2008.

Why Put Flow Simulation on an Injection Machine?

This emerging technology sounds promising, but its practical benefits have yet to be demonstrated clearly.

Hayco Molding Plant Garners LEED Platinum Certificate with Assist from Wittmann Battenfeld

82 servo-hydraulic injection molding machines help Hayco’s plant in the Dominican Republic win environmental award from the U.S. Green Building Council.

Fakuma: LSR Cells Apply New OPC-UA Compliant EUROMAP Standard for Dosing

Just months after its publication, a EUROMAP standard for interfacing an LSR dosing system with an injection molding was utilized at Fakuma by Arburg and Wittmann Battenfeld.

Industry 4.0—Learning from Mistakes

Why voice control of injection machines is not quite ready for prime time.

Fakuma: Track the Health, Performance of Hydraulic Units and Pumps

Wittmann Battenfeld says Health Factor helps molders more effectively schedule maintenance on a machine’s main hydraulic units.

New Mid-Range Press-Side Granulators

Two compact models from Wittmann Battenfeld for 88 to 110 lb/hr have larger hopper openings and fixed or rotatable material outlets.

Finding People Is One Thing – Keeping Them Is Another

Everyone bemoans the difficulty of finding workers. Are you doing enough to hold onto the ones you have?

Supply Chain Woes Meet the Cocktail-Party-Topic Threshold

When a topic can serve as an easy conversation starter at a mixed, social event, you know it’s truly entered the “national consciousness.”

Wittmann Battenfeld Makes Management Changes at Spanish Subsidiary

Wittmann Battenfeld Spain S.L. announced the changes after the two long-standing managing directors of the Spanish division announced their retirement.

Medical Molder Boasts Showpiece Material-Handling System

Flex Manchester is so proud of its new, elaborate drying/conveying system that it greets visitors front and center on their way to view the cleanroom molding floor.

Fakuma: Temperature Controller Targets High-Temperature Applications

Wittmann Battenfeld is extending its Tempro plus line of temperature controllers with the D200 model for temperatures up to 200C (392F).

Fakuma: Temperature Controller Targets Large, Heavy Molds

Wittmann says its Tempro Basic Large 120 temperature controller pairs high heating capcity and flow rates for optimized heating and cooling of bigger tools.

Fakuma: High-Speed Robot Series Extended

Wittmann Battenfeld will extend its Sonic series of high-speed robots at Fakuma, introducing the Sonic 108 targeting smaller injection molding machines.

Fakuma: Wittmann Battenfeld to Launch Machine Line at Friedrichshafen Fair

In addition to introducing its new SmartPlus line of servo-hydraulic injection molding machines, Wittmann Battenfeld will feature multiple machines at its booth and stream video of other cells from its labs.

Building a Better Mousetrap-Manufacturing Process

Increased demand for its products, which include rodent traps and more, lead Bell Labs to Wittmann Battenfeld to help it better automate its molding processes.

Germany’s Plastics and Rubber Machinery Industry Reflects on 2020

Incoming orders rose 7% in 2020 compared to 2019; but sales finished down 12% as first quarter Coronavirus shutdowns exacerbated the negative trends of 2019.

Industry 4.0 Communication Standard Adds Hot Runners, LSR Dosing

EUROMAP and the OPC Foundation’s joint working group issued a standardized data exchange communication protocol for hot runner devices and liquid silicone rubber dosing systems.

Flow Controller Series Updated

A new control valve for more precise management of the flow rate is one update to the flow controller line Wittmann Battenfeld started its business with more than 40 years and 500,000 units ago.

Total Transparency at Trademark Plastics

Trademark Plastics’ latest investment won’t let it see the future, but by giving it vision inside parts, the new CT scanner represents a more transparent tomorrow for its validation work.

PLASTICS Releases New Safety Standard for Robotics and Injection Molding

New standard establishes guidelines for the design, implementation, set-up, operation, maintenance and modification of robots in use with injection molding machine systems.

Beside-the-Press Granulators Target Closed-Loop Recycling of Sprues, Runners

Wittmann Battenfeld’s G-Max replaces a gear box and a gear motor with a self-pre-tensioning belt for quieter operation and less maintenance.

System Facilitates Material Distribution

Wittmann-Battenfeld has developed a new material-distribution system that is said to facilitate material changeovers.

Intertech Adds Five New Injection Molding Machines

The Denver-based custom injection molder added the Toyo all-electric presses in support of new business in the packaging, consumer and industrial goods segments.

How COVID-19 Did (and Didn’t) Change Automation in Plastics

The global pandemic invigorated longstanding trends and new market forces to push broad-based adoption of automation and robotics from the incremental to the inexorable.

Freudenberg Medical Adds Six Machines

The Arburg, Wittmann Battenfeld and Toyo machines installed in Baldwin Park, Calif. support component production for in-vitro diagnostic test kits.

Follow These Tips to Give Your Granulator Blades the Edge

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions—and troubleshooting advice—to help you maintain your granulator blades.

New Technology Opens a Predictive Window Onto Screw Wear

Despite their integral role in transforming pellets fed through the hopper into parts ejected from the mold, visibility into the performance, health and efficiency of screws is difficult to discern for many reasons, not the least of which being the fact they’re located inside a barrel.

PTA Plastics Adds Six Injection Molding Machines

The injection molder split the new Engel and Wittmann Battenfeld machines between its facilities in Longmont, Colo. and Oxford, Conn.

20 Good Things to Come Out of 2020—Part 4

Good news was there if you knew where to look for it—in the pages of Plastics Technology magazine or right here on our website. Here’s a review of headlines you can feel good about.

Internal Air Cooling Systems Speed Blow Molding

Chilled compressed air cools parts from the inside while the mold cools them on the outside.

European Machinery Suppliers See Steadying Markets

After a sharp drop in activity at the start of the year, the German plastics and rubber machinery sector has corrected with 2020 orders tracking only 3% below 2019 levels, while Austria’s Engel and Wittmann Battenfeld saw North American bright spots.

How to Automate High-Precision ‘Micro’ Insert Molding

What does it take to automate a horizontal injection molding cell to handle micro-sized inserts and molded parts? General-purpose top-entry robots and tooling may not be up to the job.

Wittmann Battenfeld Moves Into New Brazilian Location

Originally planned for March, the move to the larger site was delayed until August due to COVID-19.

Lights Out, Pristine Production In

The numbers beggar belief and the business belies description—Medical Components of America has six full-time employees, six injection machines and lights-out production that’s gone five years without shipping a bad part or missing a delivery.

Process Heating/Cooling: Directly Cooled Pressurized Temperature Control Unit

New single- and dual-circuit directly cooled models were added to a recently launched pressurized temperature control unit (TCU) line.

Process Heating/Cooling: Compact Digital Water Distributor Mounts Close to the Mold

Reduced distance from the tool for Wittmann Battenfeld’s new WFC 120 digital water distributor means reduced pressure loss for the heating/cooling system.

Automation: New A-C Servo Axis Reduces Weight, Boosts Robot’s Payload

A newly developed direct drive from Wittmann Battenfeld and a re-design of the supporting structure has lightened the unit by 40% over its predecessor.

Automation: Robot Series Extended to Support Larger Machines

Wittmann Battenfeld latest Primus robot—48/48T—can support injection molding machines with up to 1200 tons of clamping force.

MES Platform Adds Energy Monitoring Module

Wittmann Battenfeld’s TEMI+ manufacturing execution system (MES) software has added the IMAGOxt software module to track energy consumption and more on a plant floor.

Drying: Compressed-Air Dryers Billed as Flexible

Mount directly on machine feed.

A Window of Opportunity Opens to One Million Parts a Day

Injection molder and moldmaker Lawrence Industries was founded on the promise of plastics as a replacement for metal in window hardware—a market it now dominates.

Automation: Digital Twin Allows Slow-Motion “Replays” of Robot Movements

Wittmann Battenfeld say all data are recorded in the R9 control’s video assistance system within 4 msec and can be traced back into the past for up to 100 seconds, letting molders replay incidents.

Process Heating/Cooling: Pressurized Temperature Controller Adds Direct Cooling Model

Wittmann Battenfeld says the Tempro plus D120 temperature control unit (TCU) complements the Tempro plus D100 unit, providing a pressurized TCU of similar size with direct cooling.

Automation: Robot Line Redesigned

Wittmann Battenfeld says new WX153 is fully updated version of the W8 pro series launched in 2013.

Low-Pressure Injection Process Facilitates ‘Green Molding’

Besides speed and quality advantages, the low-pressure iMFLUX process is said to enhance sustainability—easing use of recycled and biobased materials, saving energy, reducing scrap, and adding lightweighting potential. See what molders say about these “green” benefits.

Fakuma Show Goes On (Digitally) for Wittmann Battenfeld

Self-contained inline scrap integration; medical, LSR, and packaging Cells; an MES Upgrade and more to be introduced virtually.

Fakuma Exhibitors Drop Out as Covid-19 Impacts 2020 Plans

Engel joins KraussMaffei, Wittmann Battenfeld and Sepro Group as major injection molding centered exhibitors who have announced they will be skipping the injection-oriented event or curtailing their presence.

Industry 4.0: Wittmann Battenfeld Makes OPC UA Compatibility Standard

Citing the impact of the coronavirus on the need to digitize manufacturing, Wittmann Battenfeld announced that effective April 1, newly ordered peripheral equipment complies with OPC UA communication protocols free of charge.

Ohio Molder Joins Statewide Consortium to Combat Covid-19

Pragmatic Manufacturing put its new Wittmann Battenfeld molding cells to work as part of an effort to produce and deliver more than 1 million face shields for front-line health care workers in Ohio in just five weeks.

Wittmann Battenfeld Customers Push Machines into Coronavirus Duty

Wittmann Battenfeld injection molding machines in Italy and Austria are churning out valves for respiratory masks and face shield frames and straps, respectively.

Wittmann Battenfeld USA Cancels Open House and Technical Symposium

Citing Covid-19, the supplier of injection molding machines, automation and auxiliary equipment has canceled the event planned for September 24-25 at its U.S. headquarters in Torrington, Conn.

New Product ID Technologies For Industry, Retail & Recycling

Confirming material composition and manufacturing source, anti-counterfeiting, waste sorting, and retail check-out scanning may all get a boost from new ID technologies.

Wittmann Battenfeld to Remain Operational During Covid-19 Crisis

Initially facing a forced shutdown, Wittmann Battenfeld—and many of the plastics manufacturers it supplies—were deemed essential and allowed to remain open.

Small, Family-Run Vermont Molder Pioneers in ‘Lights-Out’ & Industry 4.0

Going back 37 years, T&M Enterprises dared to push available technology far beyond the risk tolerance of much larger firms.

Coping with Coronavirus: What If You Can’t Get a Tech Service Visit?

‘Social distancing’ for service technicians? Online remote servicing to the rescue!

Betts Retires from Wittmann Battenfeld

Working in plastics for more than 40 years, Tom Betts announced his retirement from Wittmann Battenfeld.

Bigger, Faster, Lower-Cost Robots at K 2019

Three, four, five and six axes; high speed and high payload capacities; low-cost models; and collaborative robots made news at K. There were also QMC systems and AGVs.

Custom Molder’s Strategic Edge: Top-Class Metrology Services

Molding good parts is not enough. Better and faster metrology services for tool qualification and process validation make the difference for Octex Group.

K 2019 Report: Auxiliaries Stake Their Claim in the Circular Economy

The theme of sustainable plastics pervaded the exhibits at K 2019, even those of auxiliary equipment suppliers, where everything from dryers to blenders to hopper loaders was reimagined as part of a circular plastics process.

Injection Molding: Nonreturn Valves Get Improved Wear Protection

Wittmann Battenfeld showed upgraded check valves at K 2019.

Wittmann Buys FarragTech

Wittmann gains FarragTech’s dryers and cooling equipment based on compressed air.

Wittmann Battenfeld Deploys iMFLUX Low Constant Pressure Molding at Plastec West

A Wittmann Battenfeld SmartPower 110 machine will be molding a 4-cavity dosing cup using iMFLUX technology in Anaheim at the show (Feb. 11-13).

Injection Molding: Largest Wittmann Robot Yet Handles 100 kg

French molder uses its 3-m demolding stroke and large payload capacity to mold waste bins.

Injection Molding: Faster, Smarter, More Efficient Machines Tackle Sustainable Molding at K 2019

Blazing speed plus shrinking energy consumption supported the “green” theme at the big show. Smarter controls and growing connectivity were another key focus.

Simulation Is Making Injection Machines Smarter

Engel’s simlink will refine offline simulation with results from actual molding and use Engel’s machine data to constrain simulation within the actual machine’s capabilities.

Resin Drying: Centralized Segmented Wheel Dryer

Launched at K 2019, Wittmann Battenfeld’s ATON H1000 battery dryer can handle a dry air volume of 1000 m³/hr, for a drying throughput of 500-600 kg/hr.

Data Driven, Employee Owned

Approaching its seventh decade in business, PTA Plastics has shifted its location and remade its customer base since its founding in 1953, but many things have not changed in the intervening years, including an emphasis on people and leading-edge technologies.

Injection Molding: New Robots at K 2019

New high-speed, standard, and economical models debut from Wittmann Battenfeld.

Molder Adopts ‘Semi-Smart’ Automation

R&D Plastics finds new and more sophisticated ways to use robots.

Heating/Cooling: Pressurized Temperature Controller With Cell Connectivity

Wittmann Battenfeld is expanding its Tempro line of temperature controllers at K with a pressurized unit capable of reaching a maximum temperature of 100C.

Injection Molding: First Look at Vertical Multicomponent Press

Wittmann Battenfeld's new VPower machine in Combimould version exhibited at K 2019.

Wittmann Battenfeld Partners with Moldex 3D on LSR Injection Molding Simulation

Wittmann Battenfeld is exploring integration of Moldex 3D LSR molding simulation with its injection machine controls.

K 2019 Preview: Auxiliaries Showcase Connectivity & Efficiency

At press time, a handful of auxiliary suppliers shared some of their K 2019 plans, highlighting connectivity and efficiency in their planned displays.

Molder’s Philosophy of ‘Giving Back’ Helps Attract New Employees

R&D Plastics participates in numerous programs to further plastics education with local universities and high schools. This effort breeds good community relations and helps attract new employees.

Injection Molding: New Software Shares Simulation Results Among Development Partners

New SigmaInteract software from Sigma Engineering helps different departments or project partners share simulation results.

Drying: Compressed Air Dryers Reuse Process Air to Boost Efficiency

Compressed air dryers capture dry blower air from extrusion blow molding process for greater efficiency.

K 2019 Preview: Injection Molding Goes for the ‘Green’

‘Circular Economy’ joins Industry 4.0 as common themes of injection molding exhibits in Düsseldorf.

Hasco Opens Hot Runner Technical Center in Austria

Hasco has headquartered its hot runner operations in Guntramsdorf since 2014; the new expansion features a SmartPower 120/350 injection molding machine from Wittmann Battenfeld.

AUTOMATION—PART 1 Why Cartesian Robots Are the All-Around Choice for Injection Molding

This first of three articles on automation for injection molders explains why Cartesian (linear) robots are molders’ first choice in a large majority of applications. Two following articles make the case for, respectively, articulated and collaborative robots.

See the Mold Filling on Your Press Control Panel

Arburg embeds flow simulation in its Gestica controller.

Micromolding Puts on a Pretty Face

A leading manufacturer of cosmetics packaging bought a dozen Wittmann Battenfeld MicroPower injection systems to mold micro components of dosing pumps for beauty products.

Wittmann Battenfeld Upgrades Machines for LSR

Revised screw and check valve prevent leakage and enhance shot-to-shot consistency.

Injection Molding: Machine Upgrades for LSR

Wittmann Battenfeld LSR injection machines have an improved screw design and integrate the dosing pump into the press controller.

Better Options for Mold Cooling—The ‘Next Frontier’ in Process Control

New concepts in mold temperature-control units, conformal cooling, and more in Tooling & Cooling session at Molding 2019 Conference.

Hahn Plastics Automation Opens Connecticut HQ, Reveals Plans for Rethink Sawyer Cobots

Avon, Conn., is new HQ for robotic supplier; will expand capabilities of its new collaborative robots line.

Machinery Exec McCabe, 43, Dies in ATV Accident

Sales exec worked for Wittmann Battenfeld in a variety of roles before he co-founded rep firm.

The Automated Molding Shop Is Here; Are You Ready?

Robotic installation records are being smashed the world over, making it likely that your competitors (here and abroad) are automating—are you up on the latest technologies and best practices?

Headlines from Fakuma 2018

Integrating a special low-pressure process into machine controls; novel shop-floor quality-inspection technology; MES systems from machine and controls vendors; and sophisticated in-mold decorating.

Autonomous Optimization Proves Its Worth in LSR Molding

Sigmasoft Autonomous Optimization automatically ran and analyzed 60 simulations to find the best way to mold a challenging LSR part.

Molding Simulation Added to Injection Machine Controls

Arburg and Wittmann Battenfeld are integrating filling simulation to aid in machine setup.

Electronic Flow Monitoring Gives Medical Molder a Better Handle on Mold Cooling

Monitoring water flow and temperature in individual channels proves a valuable tool for process validation and troubleshooting.

NPE2018 Auxiliaries: A Path to Industry 4.0 Emerges

Industry 4.0 dominated the news in auxiliary equipment at the show, but many questions remain for both suppliers and processors.

Something for Everyone at Wittmann Battenfeld’s 10th Anniversary Celebration

New injection machines, robots and auxiliaries; plus additional steps toward Industry 4.0 were on display at Wittmann Battenfeld event.

Materials Handling: Larger Sizes of Economical Loaders

Wittmann Battenfeld adds larger sizes of Feedmax basic economical vacuum loaders/receivers.

Technology Showcase at Wittmann Battenfeld’s 10th Anniversary Event

New injection machines, robots, auxiliaries, and software highlighted the two-day gala, along with some peeks at the future of “smart factories.”

NPE Wrap-Up: News in Primary Machinery, Part 1

Rounding up details from the Big Show not previously reported in all our other coverage, here’s more news in injection and blow molding, extrusion and compounding. Next month, we’ll conclude with recycling/scrap reclaim, robots, tooling, auxiliary equipment, materials and additives.

Wittmann Battenfeld Celebrates 10th Anniversary with Launch of New Machines

Celebrating 10 years since the acquisition of the Battenfeld brand with new vertical presses, all-electric machines for high-speed packaging, and additional large-press sizes.

Injection Molding: New Models of Economical Robots

Wittmann Battenfeld expands its Primus robot line with smaller and larger models.

Size Reduction: Low-Speed, Low-Noise Granulator for Sprues

Portable unit designed for presses up to 300 tons.

Industry 4.0 Gives DMT a Sharper Edge

Leading maker of blade sharpeners boosts productivity in captive molding with cutting-edge connectivity.

More Automation = More Capable Robots

More complex automation tasks require use of six-axis robots, often in combination with linear robots, as well as use of machine vision, SCARA robots, and collaborative types.

NPE2018 New Technology Focus: Dazzlingly High-Speed Packaging Production

Several machine suppliers are injection molding caps and thin-wall cups in as fast as 2-sec cycles.

NPE2018 New Technology Focus: Drying

Industry 4.0 meets resin-drying at NPE2018.

Robots Play a Role in Industry 4.0

Robots are gaining the ability to monitor their internal systems for remote troubleshooting and predictive maintenance. They also are reporting production data.

NPE2018 New Technology Focus: Micromolding is Big

Micromolding is a growing force in medical, electronics and micromechanical parts.

NPE2018 New Technology Focus: Process Cooling

Key themes in chillers at NPE2018 are efficiency, connectivity and transparency.

Wittmann Battenfeld Explains the What & Why of Industry 4.0

Wittmann 4.0 will be the guiding them of the Wittmann Battenfeld exhibit.

NPE2018 New Technology Focus: Healthy Interest in Medical

Medical molding is a big presence at NPE.

NPE2018 New Technology Focus: The ‘4.0’ Revolution

Injection and blow molding and robot suppliers are making Industry 4.0 the most prevalent theme of the show.

Robots at NPE 2018: Faster, Stronger, Smarter

Robots performing their acrobatics at NPE2018 will be faster, smarter, more connected, and, in some cases, more “collaborative” than previous generations. Interviews with leading robot suppliers show remarkable unanimity about the overall points of emphasis...

NPE2018 New Technology Focus: Multicomponent Injection and Blow Molding Demos

Multicolor and multimaterial molding includes composites, LSR, and even barrier preforms and bottles at this show.

Recycling/Scrap Reclaim at NPE2018: Technology Focuses on Boosting Regrind Consistency, Pellet Quality

There will be no shortage of new technology and highlights of the latest trends in recycling and sustainability at NPE2018.

Auxiliaries at NPE2018: Packing More Functions in Less Space

Auxiliary equipment suppliers are building more and more technology into their products, packing more physical and virtual functions into the same or smaller footprints.

New Robots: Economical and Top-of-the-Line

Wittmann Battenfeld is introducing the top-of-the-line X-Series robots and the economical pick-and-place Primus 14 model.

Wittmann Shows Its 'Pathway to 4.0’

Wittmann Battenfeld’s operating work cells demonstrate self-adjusting machine controls, auxiliary equipment fully integrated with the injection press, and predictive-maintenance programs.

Injection Molding: Wittmann’s U.S. Debut of Two Machines, New Robots & Auxiliaries at NPE

A high-speed packaging machine, two-shot micromolder, and new high-end and economical robots, plus several new auxiliaries bow in at NPE.

TOOLING: New Developments in Tooling For In-Mold Assembly

Multiple rotating plates index in and out of the mold to produce parts with up to six materials.

Automotive Molder Finds More Floorspace with “L”-Mount Robots

Midwest Molding finds room to expand capacity with space-saving robot mounting arrangement.

Wittmann Battenfeld Shows Two New Machines in Work Cells for Medical, Packaging, and Automotive

The U.S. market is getting its first look at Wittmann Battenfeld’s high-speed, all-electric EcoPower Xpress for packaging, and its MicroPower two-shot micromolder.

Where Do You Fall On Industry 4.0’s Adoption Curve?

Beyond the hype: how are injection molders applying industry 4.0 today, and what’s coming in the future.

'Engage, Innovate, Evolve': Future-Oriented Culture at Octex Group

Using science, technology, and talent to give high-tech customers unprecedented speed to market.

Decoding ‘Industry 4.0’

The biggest splash at NPE will come from the wave of technological innovation and futuristic enthusiasm known variously as Industry 4.0 or the Smart Factory or the Internet of Things.

VIDEO: Plastimagen Marches On

Only 49 days removed from a devastating earthquake and with the possibility of sweeping changes to a key trade deal looming, Plastimagen 2017 in Mexico City plowed forward.

Auxiliaries: New Auxiliaries for Blending, Loading, Cooling & Granulating

Wittmann Battenfeld showed a variety of new and modified auxiliary equipment at the Fakuma show.

How Parkway Makes Stock Jars Into a Custom Business

This family firm distinguishes itself in a commodity market by offering numerous ways to customize its stock products.

Injection Molding: New Robots at Fakuma

New economical and high-end robots from Wittmann Battenfeld.

Robot Controllers Evolve Toward Greater Flexibility, Connectivity, Ease of Use

Robot controls have undergone steady and fairly rapid evolution. If all your robot controls are not of the latest generation, this overview could convey what opportunities upgrading may offer, as well as a sense of where the technology may be going next.

Injection Molding: Industry 4.0 Advances at Fakuma 2017

At October’s Fakuma fair in Germany, several injection machine suppliers will showcase their progress toward Industry 4.0 connectivity.

VIDEO: Wittmann Battenfeld and Industry 4.0 at Amerimold 2017

Dave Preusse’s belief in the connecting power of the Internet of Things (IoT) extends to his own doorbell.

15 Things to Know About Servo-Driven Injection Machines

Drive technology for injection molding machines has been continuously evolving, and servo motors have become widely used in a variety of roles. Here’s what molders need to know about today’s servo drives in terms of cost, performance, maintenance, and training.

Hot Runners & 3D-Printed Molds Headlined at K Show

Automotive was a key focus for hot-runner developments. 3D-printed plastic prototype tools were another highlight.

Augmented Auxiliaries At K 2016

Incremental improvements to existing technologies combined with altogether new advances at the giant show.

Copolyamide Promotes Bonding of Metal to Plastic In Hybrid Overmolding

Adhesive coating enables one-step in-mold forming and overmolding of sheet metal.

K 2016: Connectivity & Collaboration in Robotics & Automation

Besides a handful of new robots and pickers, the big themes were modular ‘plug-and-play’ automation, Industry 4.0 connectivity, easier programming, and safer collaboration with human workers.

Blow Molding: New Machines Take on Challenging Shapes

From very small to very large, from hotel amenity bottles to automotive jounce bumpers, new and upgraded machines tackle difficult jobs while improving productivity, quality, and energy efficiency.

K 2016 Injection Molding: Rapid Pace of Development

Servo drives dominate. Other trends include multitouch screens, adding materials data to process controls, and Industry 4.0 connectivity.

Modular Drying Hopper Is Expandable And Convertible to a Crystallizer

Unlike typical welded construction, bolt-on sections provide flexibility and easier transport and installation.

Wittmann Opens Simulated Clean-Room Demo Facility

White walls, sticky floor tape, and even a startlingly realistic manikin gowned in a “bunny suit”—all intended to simulate the look and feel of a clean room in one alcove of the U.S. headquarters plant of Wittmann Battenfeld, Inc. in Torrington, Conn.

New Culture, New Capabilities, New Challenges

Over the last few years, Henkel has not only transformed what its Richmond facility does, but also altered how it operates in terms of culture.

OEM Sees Predictive Maintenance As Key to Equipment Utilization

Wittmann Battenfeld's new Condition Monitoring System debuted at K 2016.

Outrunning the Competition with the First Plastic 2-Stroke Engine Valves

All it took was some original ideas, a lot of nerve, and a little high-tech injection molding.

INJECTION MOLDING: New Robots & Automation Solutions Coming to K 2016 Show

Look for modular automation systems, new controls, and new robots and pickers.

K 2016 Preview: Injection Molding

Adapting injection molding to the concept of Industry 4.0 is gaining momentum. At this show you’ll see that the interconnected, integrated “factory of the future” is almost here.

K 2016 Preview: Blow Molding

Looking for speed and energy efficiency? Take your pick of new all-electric, hybrid, and servo-hydraulic machines.

Wittmann’s 40th Anniversary Gala Unveils New Products

New machinery, robots, and auxiliaries demonstrate continued momentum of technical development—and preview some K 2016 exhibits.

Europe’s Plastics Machinery Manufacturers Concerned Over "Brexit”

The United Kingdom is both an important export market for Europe’s plastics suppliers, as well as a location for independent subsidiaries.

Two-Shot Molding Helps Make Reshoring Cost-Effective

With help from labor-saving technology, a maker of children’s dinnerware finds a ‘Made in USA’ solution to quality & delivery issues.

Custom Molder Expands in ‘Leaps of Faith’

Who would embark on an $8.8 million plant expansion without new orders in hand? Someone who knows his customers very well.

High-Tech Molder Modernizes Its Fleet

EPC replaces older presses with its first all-electrics, in integrated cells from a single source.

Wittmann Battenfeld Expands Training Team

Injection machinery expert arrives from Austria.

Ten Intriguing Injection Molding Technologies of 2015

I know I’m leaving myself wide open on this one. I was asked, “What are the 10 most interesting injection molding technologies of 2015?” I should have pleaded eggnog hangover and politely declined.

Prototype to Production: NPI/Medical Is Quick-Turn Artist

New name, same focus: From 1 part to millions, a new-product development manufacturer for over 45 years.

Molder Builds a Business From Next to Nothing

Under new ownership, Cumberland Plastics Solutions’ decision to invest when times were tough has paid big dividends.

Get Back to Basics On Water-Cooling Equipment

Neglecting your plant water systems can result in inefficiencies and downtime. Follow these tips when you get new equipment on stream or to maintain what you’re already running.

Highlights of Fakuma 2015

A selection of the hottest news and molding trends at this “little brother” to the K Show.

Wittmann Battenfeld To Expand Connecticut Facility

This space allows for the future growth for all three of its divisions: IMM, robots and automation and material handling and auxiliaries.

Wittmann Battenfeld Sponsored Manufacturing Day Event For Local High Schoolers

Students began the day with an introduction to both Wittmann Battenfeld and the plastics industry as a whole.

More Servohydraulic Presses Debut at Fakuma

Wittmann Battenfeld completes its line with three new models.

INJECTION MOLDING: Sneak Peek at Fakuma News

News in LSR, micromolding, IML, medical technology, and more.

Spec’ing a Robot? Match It To Your Press Size & Project

Where is your business today? What might tomorrow’s molding projects look like? These are among the questions you need to answer when deciding what style of robot is best for you.

Iowa State University Buys Wittmann Battenfeld Machine

The HM 90/350 injection molding machine will increase production capacity and prototyping capabilities at the university.

'Talking’ Machines Pave the Way for Processing Plants of Tomorrow

At the convergence of smarter equipment, open communication protocols, and more powerful networks, a new shop floor emerges where groups of intelligent machines work seamlessly as integrated systems.

Wittmann Expanding Robot Capacity

Annual global production capacity for robots will reach 4500 next year.

Auxiliaries AT NPE: New Controls Link Auxiliaries

Industry 4.0—the internet of things—is bringing a new level of connectivity to auxiliary equipment. Here’s a rundown of developments there, along with other news in auxiliaries from the show.

Wittmann Battenfeld Previews New Tech For Composites & Cell Integration

Open house in Austria offered a vision of a future with controls linking injection machines to a wide range of auxiliaries. Wittmann also signaled its debut in composite organosheet overmolding—with an added twist.

INJECTION MOLDING AT NPE: Presses, Robots & Cell Automation

Everything molders need to compete in markets from automotive to medical was on display in Orlando. Besides a huge number of new machine models, there was emphasis on cell integration and automation.

Wittmann Battenfeld to Make Injection Molding Machines in China

The Austrian headquartered supplier of injection molding machines, robotics and auxiliaries is planning a 2017 expansion that will add the manufacture of presses in China.

Wittmann Battenfeld Unveils Composite Molding System

Another injection-machine builder enters the competition in organosheet overmolding.

Slideshow: The sights of NPE2015

Relive NPE2015 through photos taken by the Plastics Technology staff.

Study Finds Jam Bars Redundant: U.S. and European IM Suppliers Move Closer Towards Harmonization

Ruled redundant, could jam bars be going the way of plungers on new injection molding machines sold into the U.S.?

Truckload of Machinery Stolen on Way to NPE

Two molding machines, a mold, and a robot highjacked 10 days before the show.

AUXILIARIES AT NPE: More Control, Flexibility, And Efficiency

These are key trends in the many kinds of auxiliary equipment displayed at this month’s show. You’ll also see equipment designed to be virtually ‘foolproof.’

INJECTION MOLDING AT NPE: Molding Exhibits Show Off Cell Integration with Multiple Processes & Operations

If you’re interested in lightweight composites, IML, LSR, multi-shot, inmold assembly, barrier coinjection, micromolding, variotherm molding, foams, energy-saving presses, robots, hot runners, and tooling—they’re all here in force.

Micromolding Gets Bigger at Tessy Plastics

Micro parts are a tiny but fast-growing segment of its custom molding business, with potential to expand beyond the medical sector.

Robot End-of-Arm Tooling: Making a Big Difference

Often overlooked as a small part of an automation system, clever end-of-arm tooling techniques and designs can improve part quality, heighten efficiency, and eliminate headaches for any molder.

Wittmann Battenfeld Expands Mexican Operations

Wittmann Battenfeld’s Mexican subsidiary is undergoing its second expansion in two years, boosting warehouse and office space at its Querétaro subsidiary.

Mexico’s Auto Market Accelerates, Brings Plastics Along

Mexico’s booming automotive industry inevitably became part of the conversation with exhibitors at the country’s largest plastics trade fair, Plastimagen.

Key Themes from the Fakuma Show

Servo-hydraulics, servo sprue pickers, electronic water-flow monitoring/control, and exotic multi-process cells were the headliners in Friedrichshafen.

Three Themes at Fakuma Show

Servo hydraulics are becoming standard; servo pickers proliferate; water flow monitoring and control are new focus.

Rogan Corp. at 80: Growing in Medical, LSR, Two-Shot Molding

Bondable TPEs and LSRs support growth in two-shot molding for medical and other markets.

Is a robotic revolution underway in China?

Robots have helped U.S. manufacturers better compete with China, now Chinese plants are integrating automation to boost their own productivity.

Machinery & Robot Developments at Wittmann Battenfeld

Open house celebrates expanded U.S. headquarters & showcases innovations.

Resin Conveying: No More ‘Spaghetti Bowl’

You now have technology choices to avoid the maze of conveying tubes that form a ‘spaghetti bowl’ or ‘rat’s nest’ in a central materials-handling system. Here’s how they stack up.

Wittmann Battenfeld Hosts Live Show

Open house to celebrate the expanded U.S. headquarters showcases innovations.

Savvy Processors Reveal Best Practices on Drying

The processors speak: Here’s how some smart molders and extruders tackle the vexing problem of resin drying.

Automation Pays for Itself At Port Erie

Four dozen robots have helped this molder realize a variety of efficiencies.

2013 was good for N.A. equipment suppliers; Can 2014 Overcome a Slow Start?

The North American plastics equipment market saved its best for last in 2013, delivering shipments valued at $335.1 million in the fourth quarter—the best three-month stretch of the year and up 3% from the previous quarter. Will that momentum hold in 2014, however?

News in Robots from K 2013

Injection molding Cartesian robots are being made lighter and faster, but with greater payload capacity and vibration resistance. Six-axis articulated robots are being made easier to program.

K 2013: More Efficient, Flexible & User-Friendly Auxiliaries

It’s hard to generalize about auxiliary equipment, but a few trends stood out at K, including: greater energy efficiency, ease of maintenance and cleaning, controls that provide more real-time and historical process information and greater ease of use.

Injection Molding at K 2013: Doing More with Less

More productivity with less energy consumption and capital investment; more operations in the machine or manufacturing cell with less time, labor, energy, and capital—these were the common themes of injection molding exhibits at October’s K 2013 show.

News Aplenty In Extrusion

Last month brought a spate of developments that extrusion processors should find interesting.

Web Connectivity: the ‘Missing Link’ To Molding Machines & Auxiliaries

Web services technology is being utilized today by many molding companies to enhance their molding operations performance, expand uptime, and obtain supplier support in shorter time for very low cost.

K 2013 Preview: Injection Molding

Next month’s mammoth triennial plastics show in Düsseldorf, Germany, challenges injection molding machine builders to demonstrate technological leadership in addressing the needs of the marketplace.

Wittmann Battenfeld USA Expands, Adds Injection Machinery Manager

Last month, Wittmann Battenfeld USA finalized plans for a $2.4-million, 20,000-ft2 expansion at its Torrington, Conn., headquarters.

New Machines & Processes For Macro to Micro Parts

In late April, Wittmann Battenfeld GmbH hosted around 1100 visitors at its headquarters plant in Kottingbrunn, Austria, for a comprehensive demonstration of its latest injection molding technologies.

Advantages of Servo-Driven Hydraulics For Large Injection Machines

As injection molders continue to work to find ways to optimize their processes, energy efficiency continues to be a primary area of concern.

Robots at NPE2012: Faster, Stronger, Smarter

Among the many attractions in injection molding exhibits at NPE2012 were more intelligent robots with higher speeds and payload capacities

New Services for Injection Molders

At NPE2012, three firms announced new or expanded services for molders:•Milacron’s Servtek aftermarket business in Cincinnati offers a new capability for ordering spare parts online 24/7.•Ube Machinery Inc., Ann Arbor, Mich., is offering three new services to help molders deal with difficult economic conditions.

Auxiliaries at NPE: News in Materials Handling, Cooling, Granulating, Welding, Testing, Decorating

Auxiliary equipment takes in a broad range of functions, from materials preparation to post-mold finishing.

NPE: New Machines Exhibit Sophisticated Molding Demos

More speed, more power, more precision, and more automated functions accomplished in and out of the mold. That’s exactly what injection machinery suppliers were offering at NPE2012.

Auxiliaries at NPE: New Solutions from Material Preparation To Post-Mold Operations

There will be an extraordinary range of new auxiliary equipment on display at the show.

Injection Molding: Speed, Automation & Integration

Hot buttons at the show will be multi-component molding, in-mold labeling/decorating (IML/IMD), in-mold assembly, medical molding, liquid silicone rubber (LSR), micro-molding, and high-speed packaging.

Making Parts Lightweight & Strong with New Technologies

One of the driving forces in technology is weight reduction.

NPE2012: The Big Picture -- Themes for Growth at the Big Show

In our last issue we examined three big themes that will serve as the foundation of many new technology developments at NPE 2012, April 1-5 at the Orlando Convention Center: sustainability, energy efficiency, and automation.

Central Drying Made Simple

Recent advances in technology have made the concept of drying in a central location—as opposed to right at the machine—more advantageous for certain kinds of processing operations.

Control Machinery from Your Smartphone or Tablet

If you believe that new online gizmos and gadgets aren’t suited for manufacturing, think again.

News in Auxiliaries & Tooling at Fakuma Show

Late last month, Friedrichshafen, Germany, hosted Fakuma 2011, the largest European plastics show of the year, growing to be second in size and importance to the K show in Dusseldorf.

Vision Inspection Integrated with Press Control

Machine-operator access to 100% quality inspection of micro-part dimensions is available with the new PowerVision option from Wittmann Battenfeld, Torrington, Conn.

Automation & Waste Reduction: A Medical Molder's Efficiency

Vision Technical Molding in Manchester, Conn., doesn’t believe in standing still.

Micro Molder & Mold Maker Succeeds by Specializing

How small is small? How small is micro? How about parts weighing as little as 0.00012 g and measuring no more than 0.038 in. (1 mm) long?

A Legacy Built on Automation

Automated molding cell pays off big for Florida processor.

Taking the Temperature of Mold Productivity

Increasing traffic in transfer tooling from molders that have shuttered operations or are unable to successfully produce parts is driving interest in a long-established but under-utilized diagnostic technique for injection molding.

Tips and Techniques: Optimize Your Robot With the Right Controls

Just because you have robots operating in your plant, don’t assume that puts you ahead of increasing domestic and global competition.

K 2010 Preview, Auxiliaries: Equipment of All Types Debuts This Month at K 2010

From materials drying, feeding, and blending to process heating/cooling, scrap reclaiming, testing, welding, and decorating—the K 2010 show this month in Dusseldorf, Germany, will have news in all categories of auxiliary equipment.

INJECTION MOLDING: Automation and Integration At K Show

There were new presses of all stripes aplenty at K 2010, but the “wow” factor was supplied by automated work cells and integrated manu-facturing systems performing multiple operations before, during, and after molding.

K 2010- Injection Molding New All-Electrics & Hybrids Balance Performance & Economy

The world’s largest plastics show, coming up next month in Dusseldorf, Germany, provides ample evidence of the growing sway of electric drive technology in injection molding.

Progressive Injection Molder Pioneers in Thermoforming IML

When you’re a successful injection molder with more than 40 years under your belt and more than 50 presses producing 1.8 billion containers and lids for food-packaging containers annually, what do you do when you feel the time is right to expand?

NPE News Wrap-up: Resin Dryers

At least 16 companies introduced new dryers at the big show in Chicago. The new models span a range of drying technologies, but most sport features that save space and cost and make the dryers simpler and more reliable.

Sun Power, Technology Focus: Listen to the Echo

If you’re walking around your plant one day and hear an echo, you might want to listen closely.

Heating & Cooling at NPE 2003

Smaller, more efficient, and environmentally friendly are the themes for new heating/cooling products at NPE.

Injection Molding at NPE 2003

Show goers will see an electric injection machine in nearly every press maker’s booth this year, and electric/hydraulic hybrids in several.

New Machines & Processes Unveiled By Wittmann Battenfeld

At an open house in Kottingbrunn, Austria, last month, Wittmann Battenfeld GmbH showed what it has been doing to make good on its pledge to reinvigorate the venerable Battenfeld name and its reputation for innovation.

New Standard & Labeling Proposed for Dryer Energy Ratings

Some sources say energy is the second largest cost in plastics processing after raw materials.

Hot/Cold Thermal Cycling of Injection Molds Heats Up

Injection molders are warming up to the idea of cycling their tool surface temperature during the molding cycle rather than keeping it constant.

On-Site: Injection Molding 'Outside the Box' at MGS Mfg. Group

Though it grabs a lot of headlines, multi-material, multi-shot processing still makes up only about 10% of injection molding activity in North America.

Process Cooling Goes for Performance Plus Affordability

At the NPE 2009 show in Chicago, half a dozen exhibitors showed new cooling equipment that emphasized improved performance at about the same or lower cost.

Materials Handling: New Equipment Emphasizes Efficiency & Value

Visitors to the recent NPE 2009 show in Chicago were looking for materials handling equipment that could do more than dry, blend, or convey resins. It had to do those things while saving energy, providing faster and easier maintenance, speeding product changeovers, reducing labor cost, minimizing waste, and providing better value for money. The new products cited below addressed those needs and more.

Servo Robots Show More Speed, Muscle & Brains

The recent NPE 2009 show in Chicago saw the debut of dozens of new and enhanced robots for injection molding. The vast majority of the new models were all-servo types, though some economized by mixing servo and pneumatic axes. These new robots emphasized higher speeds, heavier payload capacity, longer reach, and more intelligent controllers that make programming and troubleshooting easier than ever. Telescoping arms and dual arms were very common among the new entries, as well.

NPE 2009 Wrap-Up: New Machinery for Injection Molding

New injection machinery at the show ranged from all-electric units for high-speed packaging or bioplastic processing to hybrid presses ready for the cleanroom. Other units highlighted multi-component molding with LSR and thermoplastics or super-compact presses for small parts. Several new machines targeted specific applications such as caps and closures, PET preforms, LSR, or integrated long-glass compounding.

NPE News in Injection Molding

If a better machine can help your company beat challenging economic conditions, you’ll probably find it at NPE. And finding it will be easier, thanks to our editors’ efforts to sift out of some 2000 exhibits the most significant news in injection and blow molding, extrusion, compounding, and thermoforming.

Modular ‘Adaptable Automation’ Makes IML More Economical

Five years ago, in-mold labeling was just gaining traction among North American injection molders as a one-step approach to decorating without secondary operations.

TCU Gets First Color Display

The new Tempro Plus C Series of hot-water temperature-control units from Wittmann, Inc., Torrington, Conn., has what is said to be the industry’s first color LCD display.

More Choices for Grinding, Shredding

Many granulators on display at the K 2007 show in Dusseldorf last October were big models—150 to 200 hp—to enable higher throughputs or reclaiming larger parts and chunks. For example, Rapid Granulator from Sweden brought out the 600 model, the largest in its “open-hearted” series, which allow fast access to all internal components. It has a 600-mm-diam. rotor, 100 mm more than the next largest size.

'Lights Out' Molder's Watchdog

The job of a mold temperature-control unit (TCU) usually is to ensure continuous flow of cooling water to the mold at adequate temperature and volume.

On the Cutting Edge in Structural Foam

In structural foam, as in any area of plastics, keeping abreast of the latest technology is a key to competitiveness.

Robots Make News at K 2007

Low-cost dual-arm servo models, zippy side-entry units for IML, and heavy-duty versions for large parts are some of the new robot models that will be on view at the K 2007 show in Dusseldorf later this month.Ilsemann will unveil a new high-speed IML system for cups and a high-speed side-entry robot that will retrieve and stack tumblers from an eight-cavity mold in less than 3 sec.Sepro Robotique and its new North American marketing arm, Sepro America LLC, will unveil a new dual-arm version of its Axess series of low-cost servo robots as well as its Model 4060 beam robot, which becomes the largest in its Generation IV family.

What's New at the Show in INJECTION MOLDING

At the big “K” Show next month, top billing goes to new all-electric machines aimed at every segment of the market, from general-purpose to high-end.

HOW TO COMPARE DRYERS? A Complex Challenge With No Simple Answers

Is one type of resin dryer faster or more energy-efficient than another? That question prompts competing claims from suppliers—but very little concrete data. When one vendor performed controlled tests to get some answers, its results, published here for the first time, prompted further debate about the difficulties of making valid comparisons and the many complex issues involved in dryer selection.

Structural Foam: As Parts Grow Larger, Robots Do the Heavy Lifting

Besides its safety advantages, automation stabilizers and even reduces cycle times, boosting production and cutting scrap.

Eliminate Dust, Fines and Longs For Better Regrind Quality

Considering the high cost of resin and heightened concerns for product quality, it is surprising that so little attention is given to the impact of regrind quality on plastics processing.

NPE 2006 News Wrap-Up: Fluid Temperature Control: Saving on Energy and Maintenance

At NPE in Chicago, chillers and TCUs were put on a lean energy diet and redesigned for greater durability. Suppliers also added features while taking out cost.

NPE 2006 News Wrap-Up: Materials Handling: A Host of Refinements and Updates

NPE 2006 held no revolutionary changes in dryers, blenders, feeders, loaders, or conveying controls, but widely adopted improvements make the newest models easier to use and maintain—and easier on the budget, too.

NPE 2006 News Wrap-Up: Brains and Brawn - New Robots Are Handier Than Ever

Injection molding robots introduced at NPE pushed the work envelope for speed, reach, payload capacity, ease of programming, and ability to handle more sophisticated tasks.

What to See at NPE 2006: Injection Molding

Energy-saving all-electric machines will continue to be a big draw at NPE, where new designs or upgraded models will be found in virtually every press maker’s booth.

What to See at NPE 2006: Heating and Cooling

Most of the news at the show is in fluid-circulating mold-temperature-control systems.

What to See at NPE 2006: Materials and Parts Handling

Dryers, feeders, blenders, loaders, metal detectors, level sensors, mechanical and pneumatic conveyors, silos, bins, pumps, filters, valves, box fillers, bag dumpers, and materials-handling control systems constitute one of the biggest categories of products on display at NPE.

Material Handling and Drying Are a Molder's 'Central' Issue

The benefits of centralized material handling have been demonstrated for decades, yet somehow the message continues to come slowly to mid-size processors like Jackson Products Inc of St.

Headlines for the Next 50 Years

Ever wonder what it would be like to get tomorrow’s newspaper today? After reviewing the most important technical developments of the past 50 years in our October issue, we asked industry experts to help us imagine the biggest headlines in plastics from now to 2055. What we got was a mixture of predictions of what will happen and a wish list of what should happen.

How to Address Cooling System Woes

Anyone who operates a molding plant knows three things it cannot run without: raw material, electrical power, and cooling water.

Resin Dryers: Which Type Is Right for You?

Processors today face bewildering choices of at least five basic types of dryers, whose capabilities are subject to conflicting claims from equipment suppliers. For the buyer, the most basic questions are: How much drying is needed for the job and which dryer types are up to the task?

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