Focus on the essential: close-to-standard solutions with proven ENGEL technology

"Get connected" — with this motto, ENGEL connects experts with machine solutions and the corresponding technologies at Fakuma from October 17th to 21st.

At the ENGEL booth, among other things, an automotive and a medical application will be presented. They have one thing in common: they reduce complexity to the essentials, demonstrating what a close-to-standard solution with proven ENGEL technology can look like.

Being a partner for every injection molder is ENGEL’s aspiration at this year's Fakuma. Decades of experience developing and building injection molding solutions have led to a deep understanding of the process and its distinctive character. At Fakuma, ENGEL presents solutions that focus on the essentials while excelling in performance and efficiency.

In the field of two-platen machines, ENGEL is showcasing a versatile standard application on a duo 1480/500, manufacturing automotive covers for the vehicle interior made of a PP compound by Borealis with a 4-cavity mold. With a recyclate content of 30%, it is evident that the processing of recycled plastics runs smoothly on standard machines. The application thus complies with a currently discussed EU directive that envisions a 25% share of PCR (Post Consumer Recyclate) in automobiles by 2030. A viper 20 from the ENGEL linear robot portfolio removes the parts from the 4-cavity mold by Simoldes and places them on a conveyor belt.

The servo-hydraulic drive, ENGEL ecodrive, is available as standard for all sizes of the duo machine series. Combined with the digital assistance systems of the iQ family, such as iQ clamp control and iQ flow control, energy savings potentials of up to 40% compared to conventional two-platen machines can be achieved. This close-to-standard design also offers the advantage of shorter lead times.

Equipped with all iQ solutions currently available on the market, ENGEL demonstrates how the potential of the duo 500 can be maximized. While iQ weight control maintains process quality, iQ process observer ensures that the machine operator is alerted in real-time if any changes in the injection molding process occur. Immediate measures can prevent rejects and keep machine availability high.

ENGEL presents a high-precision and, above all, space-saving all-electric application for the medical sector: on an e-mac 265/130 – equipped with the ENGEL cleanroom package for the first time at Fakuma – needle protection caps are produced. This means that the compact e-mac series is now also available for the space-saving production of medical parts in cleanroom applications. The 96-cavity mold from KEBO AG was explicitly developed for secondary packaging. Secondary packaging does not come into direct contact with the active ingredient and is mainly used to protect and identify the medical device. High-cavity molds like the mold from Kebo require high precision and dynamics in the injection process – which is precisely what the new injection unit 265 ensures. The cycle time is an impressive 6.2 seconds.

Another innovation is the box transfer system, which allows the production cell to be optimally used in partially or fully automated production. The injection-molded needle protection caps drop from the KEBO mold into a delivery chute. They are then transported by a Z conveyor belt into a box located on another conveyor belt. This box has a capacity of 30,000 units. Once full capacity is reached, the box is transported forward on the conveyor belt. In total, there is room for four such boxes on the conveyor belt. The box transfer system can be connected to an automated guided vehicle (AGV) system – regardless of the provider. In addition to the digital interface, only logistical preparations are needed for the AGV to dock with the box transfer system and take over the boxes.

Both the duo 500 and the e-mac 130 show how smart temperature control works. The two production cells combine e-flomo plus with eco-flomo plus to optimize various aspects of temperature control. While e-flomo plus regulates mold temperature control, eco-flomo plus is used for hot runner cooling, and more specifically, for flow rate monitoring. All manifolds are clearly displayed by the iQ flow control smart assistant.

Solutions that are focused on the essentials, enabling highly efficient and high-performance injection molding productions - this is what ENGEL is offering to its customers at Fakuma 2023.      

Follow this link for more information about the ENGEL booth at Fakuma 2023.