German plastics machinery supplier Kiefel GmbH and innovations company Watttron GmbH have signed a long-term development and research cooperation to develop “future-oriented” solutions for industrial molding of plastics.
The Freilassing, Germany-based Kiefel said in a Jan. 4 statement that the partnership would seek to develop “unmatched levels” quality and efficiency, especially in packaging production.
Kiefel, which develops and produces machinery for processing plastic films, said Watttron's heating technology will serve as the basis for the development goals.
Based in Freital, Germany, Watttron is a start-up spinoff of the Institute of Natural Materials Technology of the Technical University of Dresden and the Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging Dresden.
It has developed intelligent heating systems which can help reduce material and energy consumption within the plastics industry.
The technology allows precise heating of surfaces with the aid of square heating pixels.
“Each pixel can be controlled individually. This allows targeted, uneven heating of the film, and the flow behavior of the plastic film to be optimally adapted to the desired shape,” said the Kiefel statement.
Through the process, processors can ensure uniform wall thickness and as a result use a "much thinner" film, reducing energy consumption.
Kiefel Managing Director Thomas J Halletz said the partnership aims to develop marketable solutions for the key industries of packaging, medical and automotive.
Development teams of Kiefel GmbH and subsidiaries Bosch Sprang and Mold & Matic will be included in the projects.
