Düsseldorf, Germany — Sumitomo (SHI) Demag Plastics Machinery GmbH will begin distributing a new digital tool that offers deeper insights into process parameters for injection molders on Jan. 1.
With the myAssist, the company is on a journey from process analysis to digital validation and digital product passports (DPP), which aim to gather data on a product and its supply chain and share it across the value chains so everyone involved — even consumers — have a better understanding of the materials and products they use and the environmental impact.
With myAssist, processors can access live data collated by individual control systems on injection molding machines, and make corresponding comparisons using historical data, according to Thomas Schilling, digital solutions product manager for the injection molding machine builder.
"Through this creation of an interactive database, customers can select, record, trace and analyze the most relevant key performance indicators in much greater depth," Schilling said.
The myAssist product aims to simplify the exchange of product-related information between companies, he also said, pointing to the DPP planned by the EU Commission.
"It will enable all players in the supply chain to present authorities and consumers with a package of relevant product information, including manufacturing materials, spare parts information, repairs, energy consumption and disposal," Schilling said.
The data about carbon dioxide consumption and recycling rates recorded during the production of a component can be used to more robustly document ecological footprints.
The product also evaluates information held by the injection molding machine control unit, including pressure, temperature or injection profiles, and relates it to a shot, injection, component or cycle.
In addition, myAssist offers a knowledge-based troubleshooting feature that answers questions like: Do I have to intervene? What can I do?
"This level of process transparency enables a customer to understand every single production state," Schilling said.
At K2022, Sumitomo (SHI) Demag also used its myConnect support app to connect all exhibits at the main booth.
Customers that connect to the platform receive full access to Sumitomo (SHI) Demag's complete digital services for support and the spare parts database.