Over past months, many in-house workflows and development processes have slowed down and also changed. Nevertheless, time has not stood still, also not in injection molding technology. The debate and development have been shaped by two themes: digitalization and the circular economy. Below are some examples of developments and projects that underpin this trend.

Two displays are seamlessly integrated into the continuously 3D-formed instrument panel

Innovative Injection Molding in Times of Pandemic

Spritzgießen

Kunststoffverarbeitung: Verfahren

Schaumspritzgießen

Künstliche Intelligenz für die Qualitätssicherung

Industrie 4.0

Industrie 4.0 für die Qualitätssicherung

Steuern, Regeln

Software

Mehrkomponenten-Spritzgießen

Folientechnik (IMD, IML, FIM, u.a.)

Digitale Transformation

Wirtschaft

Innovationen und neue Technologie

Spritzgießwerkzeuge

Kunststoffverarbeitung: Maschinen und Komponenten

Werkzeuge für die Kunststoffverarbeitung

Biokunststoffe

Kunststoff Werkstoffe

Spritzgieß-Sonderverfahren

Nachhaltigkeit

Umweltmanagement

Spritzgießsimulation

Simulation

Schnecken und Plastifiziersysteme

Spritzgießmaschinen

Industrie 4.0 für die Kunststoffverarbeitung

Machine Learning / Künstliche Intelligenz für die spanende Fertigung

Industrie 4.0 für die spanende Fertigung

Kunststoff-Recycling

Kunststoff-Aufbereitung

Lasermarkieren

Oberflächentechnik

Laserbearbeitungen

Inline- / Online-Messsysteme

Qualitätssicherung

Qualitätssicherung Kunststoff

Kreislaufwirtschaft

There Is More beyond the Horizon

Unforeseen downtimes in serial production are always accompanied by high costs, making it essential for machines to be serviced in time. Because sensor, transmission and data storage technology have taken a big leap forward in recent years, predictive maintenance has already been realized in some industries, demonstrating a tangible benefit of Industry 4.0. The WZL and the WBA have developed a guideline for this.

Fig. 1. The guideline for the development of predictive maintenance solutions is divided into three phases: analysis, design and implementation

Guideline to the Development of Predictive Maintenance Systems for Serial Producers and Toolmaking Companies

Instandhaltung

Condition Monitoring / Prozessüberwachung

Werkzeug- und Formenbau

Dienstleistungen

Werkzeug-, Formen- und Modellbau

Sensoren verschiedener Messverfahren

Fertigungsautomation

Sensorik / Aktorik

Fernwartung / Ferndiagnose

Machine Learning

Datenanalyse

Dienstleistungsqualität

Qualitätsmanagement

Instandhaltungsmanagement (TPM)

Vorbeugende Instandhaltung für die Qualitätssicherung

Werkzeugbau

Machine Learning für die Qualitätssicherung

Symbiosis of Toolmaking and  Serial Production

The resource-economical determination of an optimized operating point in injection molding is still a challenge. Machine learning offers great potential for re-using knowledge from a flow simulation that has already been generated.

Significant reduction of the effort for determining the optimum operating point by machine learning

Machine Learning: Combining Simulation and Experimental Test Data

DOE-Software

Qualitätsmethoden

Digitaler Zwilling

Quicker Evaluation of the Optimum Operating Point

The digital shadow is the core concept of the Cluster of Excellence “Internet of Production” at RWTH Aachen University. It represents the data trace of an asset to describe its real behavior. In the Plastics Innovation Center 4.0 (PIC 4.0), digital shadows, e.g. the data trace of a sensor, are used to optimize processes taking into account real behavior and to determine simulation quality.

The construction of the PIC 4.0 proceeds and throws its shadow on the Campus Melaten.

16:9

Part 7 of the Series: How the Digital Shadow Enlightens Real Processes in the PIC 4.0

Sensorik für Kunststoff-Verarbeitungsmaschinen

Out of the Shadow into the Light

Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences has succeeded in developing an injection mold that does not require conventional liquid-based temperature control. Heat equalization is effected by means of heat pipes instead. Mold design and heat-pipe selection are based on the outcome of thermal simulations, which yield reliable results thanks to an unconventional approach. 

Simulating Heat Flow in Injection Molds with Heat Pipes 

Prozesssimulation

Kupfer

Temperiertechnik

"No Cool" Molds, Properly Simulated 

To be able to cost efficiently design complex molds, e. g. for BMC components, it is essential to take into account the mold cooling. Thus, the mold costs increase in a linear relationship with the number of heating cartridges provided. It is therefore desirable to aim for as few cartridges as possible, but at the same time, this can have a disadvantageous effect on the homogeneity of the temperature distribution and the robustness of the process. Until now, these conflicting goals were largely resolved based on experience. But it can also be done systematically. 

Simple Answers to Complex Questions in Mold Design 

Verbundwerkstoffe / Werkstoffverbunde

Determining the Optimum Heating Concept for BMC 

The optimization of injection molding processes by using software to simulate mold filling and solidification is standard today. However, this has its limits, especially if the material properties or the flow behavior are not known with sufficient accuracy. The services offered by Beaumont, such as material testing, injection molding tests or the optimization of flow channel systems, can help here.  

MF Software Exclusively Distributes Beaumont Products in Europe 

Werkstoffprüfung

Rheologie

Higher Productivity and Better  Process Control 

Users can now precisely simulate and design the mold temperature control already at the planning phase. 

Cooling Simulation with Temp-Flex Hoses 

Precise Simulation of Thermal Behavior 

The toolmaker Siebenwurst uses injection molding simulation to optimize part design and production processes in its routine workflows. Among other things, Simcon’s software ensures the quality and dimensional accuracy of the plastic frame for the first series-produced injection molded e-bike.

The frames give the e-bikes an extraordinary design, with robustness comparable to steel or aluminum

Controlling Complex Development and Manufacturing Processes, Using Simulation

Composite-Halbzeuge

Halbzeuge und Zwischenprodukte

Kunststoff-Halbzeuge

A Bike Frame from an Injection  Molding Machine

At the 2019 K fair, Arburg and Simcon showcased a filling process proceeding in real-time, as a 3D animation, on the display of a machine control panel, for an example of sunglasses, made of PA12. All that was needed to prepare this, was to load the simulation model, as well as the geometry of the part, directly onto the machine controls. This sounds almost too easy to be true. Right?

The Interviewees Dr. Paul Filz (left) an Dr. Eberhard Duffner

Interview with Eberhard Duffner and Paul F. Filz by the Magazine Kunststoffe

Doriat, Clemens, Dr.

Interview

Anyone seeking to replace a metal component by a plastic one, to reduce the number of component parts from eight to three and simultaneously cut both the weight and manufacturing costs needs to take great care to ensure that all specifications are met – especially if the component is used in a hot gearbox and is subject to high mechanical stress.

The shifter fork creates a positive lock between the gear wheel and the shaft so that the engine power can be transmitted to the wheels

Production-Ready Plastic Shifter Fork Offers a Maximum of Functional Integration

Kohlenstofffasern / -matten

Verstärkungsstoffe

Produktentwicklung (F+E)

Innovationsentwicklung

Inserttechnik

Hybrid-Spritzgießen (Metall / Kunststoff)

Replacing Metal in the Gearbox

Starting with the systematic design of manufacturing processes and the precise simulation of part manufacture, through smart tooling technology and sophisticated melt guidance, to efficient mold temperature control, numerous exhibitors have many innovations in the field of tooling technology on offer at K 2019.The current debates concerning marine pollution as well as anthropogenic climate change and its consequences seem to be having an effect at this world-leading trade show for plastics processing in Düsseldorf, Germany. A number of companies are noting the growing customer interest in sustainable, carbon-neutral and resource-efficient modes of production, and offering products and services intended to satisfy this interest.

Resource-Efficient and Environmentally Friendly Products Are the Trend in  Tooling Technology

Werkzeuginnendrucksensoren

Messtechnik

Sensoren / Messwertaufnehmer

Temperiergeräte

Gießanlagen

Normalien für die Kunststofffertigung

Normalien

Heißkanalsysteme

Komponenten für die Kunststoffverarbeitung

Kaltkanalsysteme

Exhibitors See Green

HASCO Hasenclever GmbH + Co KG was founded in 1924 in Lüdenscheid, Germany.

HASCO Hasenclever GmbH + Co KG  

https://www.hasco.com

Angießeinsätze

Antriebselemente

Lineartechnik

Maschinenelemente

Armaturen

Mechanische Konstruktionselemente

Drucklufttechnik

Betriebsausrüstung / Betriebsmittel

Beratung und Consulting

Beschichten (CVD, PVD)

Chemisches Bearbeiten (Auftragen)

Beschichtungen

CAD Werkzeug-, Formenbau

Dichtungen

Druckluftarmaturen

Druckmessgeräte (Gas, Wasser, Dampf)

Messung von Gasen und Flüssigkeit

Edelstähle

Stähle

Metall Werkstoffe

Erodiermaschinen

Werkzeugmaschinen für die spanende Fertigung

Extrusionswerkzeuge

Filter

Konstruktionselemente-Fluidtechnik

Getriebe

Gießmaschinen / Urformen

Maschinen für die spanlose Fertigung

Gleitlager

Lager

Heizung

Haustechnik

Heißkanaltechnik

Messung von Umgebung (Klima)

Hydraulik-Komponenten

Hydraulikzylinder

Fluidtechnik

Antriebe

Induktive Sensoren

Kupplungen

Kühlelemente, aktive

Kühlkörper

Elektromechanik

Linearführungen

Markiersysteme

Messzubehör

Mathematik-Software

Medizintechnik

Messdatenerfassung und -verarbeitung

Messgeräte

Messgeräte, sonstige elektrisch

Elektrische / Magnetische Messtechnik

Normalien und Heißkanaltechnik

Normteile

Normteile / Normalien

Näherungsschalter

Platten

Pneumatik-Komponenten

Reinigung

Schläuche aus Kunststoff

Schmelzefilter

Schrauben

Spanneinrichtungen

Systemperipherie

Montagetechnik

Spritzgieß-Zubehör und Einzelteile

Steuerungen (Hardware und Software)

Automatisierungstechnik

Stähle, hochfeste

Temperaturmessgeräte

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