K 2013: ENGEL stresses lightweight construction as future trend

ENGEL brings powerful machines aimed at providing innovative solutions to its customers across the globe. The company shows off its CC300, the latest ENGEL control generation live at the booth as well as the brand new ENGEL plus with its numerous products and service-bundles.

An ENGEL e-victory 200H/80W/120 combi injection moulding machine – automated with an ENGEL viper 20 linear robot – impressively shows that ENGEL system solutions not only meet these requirements fully, but also handle LIM multi-component processes securely and efficiently. A mould provided by ACH solution is used to produce sensor housings for flow measurement with integrated seals.

Using servo-powered injection units guarantees maximum precision, which would normally call for special solutions in the LSR field where very small injection unit volumes are involved but which in this case is provided by a standard unit. For the first time, iQ weight control software patented by ENGEL is applied in the system for LSR processing; this recognises and automatically compensates for fluctuations in melt quantity during the injection process.

At the heart of the demonstration is an ENGEL e?mac 170/100 injection moulding machine from ENGEL's new all-electric range fitted with an ENGEL viper 12 linear robot. To produce casings for mobile electronic devices such as Tablet PC, Smartphone or e-book reader, pre-formed organic sheets (pressed in advance using variothermal technology) are inserted into the mould and overmoulded with PC/ABS, again using variothermal technology. This method allows extremely even surfaces and minimal wall thicknesses to be achieved despite the differing contraction levels of CFK and the cladding material. The housing components are overmoulded in translucent piano black. The partner for the variothermal mould in the exhibit is Roctool. The CFK organic sheets are supplied by Bond-Laminates.

ENGEL Group Marketing Director, Mr. Gerd Liebig, explains that with plastics being an innovative material, the company has stepped up the development of machines aimed at meeting the future trends for lightweight construction. “For instance, we try to meet the demands of the automotive sector and this focus is very much apparent in the machines that we present at K 2013.”

He also believes that packaging is one growth area where demand for fully-electric injection moulding machines would inevitably be geared towards ensure energy saving and high product quality.

ENGEL in Asia

Aside from Austria, ENGEL’s operations in China and Korea have seen vasMens Running Shoes & Running Trainers