Sustainable processing solutions emerge

Production processing solutions aimed at providing one-stop, complete and sustainable processing systems are expected to make it big in 2015. According to Markus Gschwandtner, Sales director at Brückner Maschinenbau GmbH & Co. KG: "Many markets are primarily focused on commodity film production. Now the demand for advanced applications is rising and film producers worldwide –especially in Asia – are heading to diversify and extend their product portfolio with speciality films. Thus the film producers are able to offer their customers a "one-stop-shop" where they can buy various films out of one hand."

Markus Gschwandtner, Sales director, Brückner Maschinenbau GmbH & Co. KG

In meeting this trend, Brückner has been developing not only fast and highly productive stretching lines for the efficient production of commodity packaging films, but also solutions for the manufacture of value-added specialties such as multilayer and high barrier films, industrial and optical films, to name just a few. For 2015, Brückner is not only thinking about one specific product line. "We aim to optimise our broad portfolio, offering each film producer a tailor-made solution: film stretching lines for all possible applications, from the thinnest capacitor base films up to thick optical film grades, small laboratory lines, as well as the largest and fastest BO film lines in the market today," according to Mr. Gschwandtner.

Besides the growing national economies which will ask for more packed goods and therefore for more packaging film, Asia traditionally is a region where various export-strong industries are concentrated, Mr. Gschwandtner explained. "Best example: consumer electronics. And for such applications a variety of industrial and optical films are needed. Other branches are also fast growing, for example the strong push into EV (electrical vehicles) with the needs for high quality, cost effective lithium-ion battery production.

This technology needs so-called separator films and for their successful and profitable production we offer the latest stretching technology and our unique EVAPORE® process with clear benefits regarding yield and output, low production costs, minimized energy consumption, easy operation and low maintenance." As a result, Brückner plans to provide complete solutions: first-class technology and machines, vast process know-how and extensive R&D capabilities for future developments. The company is also scheduled to launch a stream of innovations in 2015.

In view of dwindling resources, the demand for energy-efficient technologies and processes will obviously continue in 2015, according to Dr. Hans Ulrich Golz, president of the Injection Molding Machinery Segment at KraussMaffei Group.

Dr. Hans Ulrich Golz, president of the Injection Molding Machinery Segment, KraussMaffei Technologies GmbH

In this context, lightweight solutions not only for the automotive sector will gain increasing interest. Fibre reinforced plastics and processes suitable for mass production will obviously play an important role. "Thanks to our wide product portfolio and our expertise in injection moulding, automation and polyurethanes technology, KraussMaffei is continuously developing new processes and tailor-made solutions. One example is our FiberForm process, a perfect combination of thermoforming and injection molding. FiberForm allows the production of complex structural parts consisting of thermoplastic composites in a fully automated process with very short cycle times," Dr. Golz said.

The trends in injection moulding for 2015 would point to the development of "intelligent" injection moulding machines is one important topic for KraussMaffei. "In this context, we launched the new Adaptive Process Control system (APC), a new machine function that immediately and automatically compensates fluctuations in the injection moulding manufacturing process. Processors thus benefit from a consistently high component quality," Dr. Golz pointed out. Multicomponentinjection moulding is another important issue for KraussMaffei. With five different variants, the company has recently completed its successful GX injection moulding machine series.

In 2015, KraussMaffei will continue promoting its new CX series, launched at Fakuma in October 2014. The new CX series covers a clamping force range of 350 to 1600 kN and features many optimisations with regard to energy efficiency, productivity and space requirements. Additional highlights specifically for small machines include the new sprue picker, the ejector coupling and the BluePower Vario Drive concept.

Like all machines from KraussMaffei, the new CX is equipped with the new Adaptive Process Control system (APC). Furthermore, KraussMaffei has expanded the all-electric AX series to include two new greater clamping forces, 4,500 and 5,500 kN. Further new products are in preparation and will be announced during the year. The company sees major markets in Asia such as China, Korea, Thailand and Indonesia. "In China and Korea, the main market segments are the automotive and the electric and electronic industry, whereas in Thailand and Indonesia the packaging industry is the most important market segment. In China, we expect for the near future a slow down in growth for normal standard machines but the demand for special machines of high precision, high complexity and high technology will increase. In 2015, we will focus on further strengthening our market position in the key market segments, such as automotive, electric and electronics and packaging as well as to explore new market segments, such as medical or logistics," according to Dr. Golz.

For Shine Well Machinery Co., Ltd., the allelectric machines are going to be hot topic in the next few years. Considering the price issue, all-electric machines’ sales will be higher for small and mediumsized models. For large models two platen design with energy saving unit will be more popular than toggle design. The company intends to add new features to its products in 2015. "Our company will introduce several new techniques to CX series machine in next year, for the purpose of simplifying machine operation to end users.  These innovating techniques will create more added values and productivity to our clients," according to Joseph Lung, vice manager at Shine Well Machinery.

Joseph Lung, vice manager, Shine Well Machinery Co., Ltd.

The company is also expanding its market reachv Mr. Lung added: "Aside from Asia, there are other regions to explore, like the Middle East, where we did not have much exposure before. Automation is one area that many companies in the plastics production will take into account in 2015. Beck Automation sees clear trends in the plastics industry, especially in the packaging sector, according to Nicholas Beck, CEO. "We see the focus on quality aspects and the sense or need for further automation. As a result, we offer such products for IML automation: camera inspection (vision system); solutions fo individual sorting out of faulty parts; quick and easy set-up and adjustable systems.

Price remains a consideration when offering technology and equipment. "As a Swiss manufacturer and supplier of highend solutions the main factor affecting us in those markets is the price. Nevertheless also in those markets the requirement for quality, well proven and reliable IML systems exists. We have delivered and installed successfully several systems in the Asian markets," according to Mr. Beck.

Mr. Nicholas Beck, CEO, Beck Automation

Expansion into the Asian market is not far behind. Beck Automation AG is following a clear road map which would guide the company’s moves in the 5 to 7 years. "Part of this road map is an expansion in several regions with branch abroad, service points and acquisitions," Mr. Beck stressed.

Beck Automation AG is manufacturer and supplier of customised IML systems. The company intends to promote strongly its vision system and quality sorting (Q-SORT) in 2015. The company also offers highly flexible IML system for test production, trails and field test which is running fully production conditions. Aside from machinery, auxiliary equipment are going to make a big difference in 2015. "In Asia, demand for plastic products has grown very fast for plastics products, hence the soaring demand for plastics manufacturing machinery.

Besides, our market for auxiliary equipment is very dynamic, and new technologies are constantly moving and shaping the markets, such as the trend for automation, biobased materials, advanced polymers and recycling," according to Sonner Machinery general manager, Peng Pai. Sonner is devoting about one-tenth of its revenues to R&D. "It is crucial for us to constantly keep up with market evolutions, but also accompany our customers in their new requirements.

Mr. Peng Pai, general manager, Sonner Machinery

We are improving our existing products, fine-tuning the components, but most of all we are developing their applications in order to come up with new solutions for our customers. For instance, we have adapted existing models to fit the specific handling of powders, hence adjusting to markets such as food and chemicals handling. We will exhibit those new machines during our top exhibitions next year, NPE and Chinaplas and other trade exhibitions," Mr. Peng said.

For the rest of 2015, Sonner is optimistic of the Asian market. "We are leader in our sector in China, and developing very well in India, where we have been present for the past five years. We are also exploring emerging markets in Southeast Asia, which are developing in a very interesting way.

But we also have targets in the US market, where we are settled since 3 years, and now in Europe, where we just opened a new office, specifically in Germany. As an Asian company, especially Chinese, it is fundamental to be strong on the Asian markets, while developing the "western" markets," Mr. Peng stressed.

The company plans to strengthen its position in Asia, Europe, Middle East and Africa. Besides its Shanghai headquarters, Sonner has offices in the United States (Akron), India (Mumbai), and we just opened an office in Germany (Düsseldorf). The coming year will be focused on developing these offices as gateways to the surrounding markets.