AT Fakuma 2026, KraussMaffei presented solutions for greater process efficiency, higher quality, and reduced resource consumption in plastics processing. The focus was on the new all-electric PX series with the new autonomous quality control solution AQCplus, as well as the concept premiere of the LRXplus SE for high-cavity and cleanroom applications. “Requirements for resource efficiency,… Read more »
ENGEL presented five ‘live’ exhibits at Fakuma in Friedrichshafen, Germany, from 9-12 October, demonstrating how efficiency, quality, and cost-effectiveness in plastics processing can be increased step by step – from AI-supported dialogue with the machine, through precision manufacturing with liquid silicone, to fully automated high-volume production. Inject AI: Just ask your machine! The line-up opened… Read more »
AT CHINAPLAS 2026 in Shanghai, the ENGEL Group demonstrated how intelligent automation, integrated processing technologies, and digital process optimisation are helping plastics manufacturers reduce part costs, improve production stability, and increase efficiency in high-volume manufacturing environments. ENGEL and WINTEC presented advanced injection moulding technologies for the automotive, packaging, medical, and technical moulding sectors. A key… Read more »
IT WAS HIGH 5 time as Techplas for Sivan Pillay and Jason Smith, as they recently celebrated their 5th year in the equipment supply and service sector. Both partners have extensive experience in the converting sector, and that has enabled them to fine-tune the equipment they supply and manage some challenging projects. Sivan was originally… Read more »
PRESSURE instability represents one of the main causes of inefficiency in plastics recycling, often resulting from the combination of material variability and line configuration. Variations in material quality, high contamination levels, and non-optimised process setups generate inherently unstable operating conditions. Managing these fluctuations typically requires the use of gear pumps; however, conventional technologies are highly… Read more »
WITH the duo 12000 US, ENGEL expands industrial production of large-format injection-moulded parts to previously unattained dimensions. The two-platen injection moulding machine enables the reduction of part costs for large-area components. The 110,000kN clamping force was specifically developed for parts with projected areas of more than 2.5m². Commissioned at the customer’s site, this machine enables… Read more »
FIMIC, a global reference in automatic melt filters for plastic recycling, has launched its FCS Filter, designed to solve one of the most common issues recyclers face in filtration – contaminants stuck inside scrapers. What’s the problem? In plastic recycling, new material streams (previously incinerated) now end up in the recycling world. New materials mean… Read more »
WITH a clear focus on efficiency, flexibility and integration, ENGEL is presenting comprehensive automation solutions at K 2025. A central highlight is the new generation of viper linear robots, which can be flexibly configured using modular axis profiles to suit different reach requirements – reducing investment costs, shortening delivery times and increasing manufacturing adaptability. In… Read more »
EVERY DAY, large quantities of post-consumer plastic waste are generated from packaging, household applications, and more. Despite the costly processing of this waste through sorting stations and wet washing, the output from these material flows often cannot be reused for high-quality applications due to remaining unpleasant and pungent odours in the granulate. Current recycling processes… Read more »
IN HALL 10, Booth D02/04, the MOTAN Group is showing a strong product portfolio for wide-ranging applications in plastics processing. Highlights include new offerings from the cost-effective swift product range and intelligent solutions for the automation of extrusion processes. With its new swift product brand, MOTAN is introducing cost-effective solutions for auxiliary equipment in materials… Read more »
Nissei ASB Machine Co., Ltd. (Head office: Komoro-shi, Nagano-ken, Japan – President: Makoto Fujiwara), a world leading manufacture of machines and moulds for injection stretch blow moulding of PET and other plastics, will demonstrate live moulding of four separate technologies at the K 2025 exhibition (Hall 14 Booth B38), to be held in Düsseldorf, Germany… Read more »
When the international beverage and liquid food industry meets at drinktec in Munich from 15 to 19 September, ENGEL will showcase the automated production of closure caps. At the heart of the fully automated production cell is the all-electric e-cap 380 injection moulding machine with a clamping force of 3,800 kN. The application combines maximum… Read more »
KNOWN for its dedication to quality, precision, and customer-focused solutions Alfatek Bottling Plants stands at the forefront of innovation in liquid filling technology where it delivers high-performance equipment to the global beverage, food and chemical industries. PERFECTA ELETTRONICA: Filling with dynamic weight technology The bottling and packaging industry demands increasingly precise, flexible, and high-performing solutions… Read more »
THE global artificial intelligence in manufacturing market, valued at $3.2 billion in 2023, is set to skyrocket to a whopping $20.8 billion by 2028. That’s not just growth, it’s a revolution in the making. And why wouldn’t it be? With promises of heightened efficiency, predictive maintenance wizardry and substantial cost savings, AI isn’t just knocking… Read more »
NATURAL rubber from rubber trees is a raw material with a limited supply, according to research by the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research IAP in Potsdam-Golm. Synthetically produced rubber has not yet been able to match the abrasion behaviour of the natural product, rendering it unsuitable for truck tyres. But now, for the first… Read more »
CONFORMANCE to size and shape tolerances is critical in technical extrusion profiles used in many different areas of industry. Process stability and capability play an absolutely essential role as the requirement of accurate product measurement to guarantee customer satisfaction is crucial. And that’s where laser measurement solutions become vital. WD Hearn, one of the largest… Read more »
IT IS often said that architecture is music frozen in time. But when a building reverberates with the sounds of voices, footfalls of people walking or merely day-to-day activities in such a way that it hinders work performance or impacts on the well-being of employees working in it, serious steps need to be taken to… Read more »
ITALY’S leading manufacturer of electric two-wheelers has specified the use of Thermolast® K for two precision gasketing applications on the new battery boxes of a growing range of power-assisted bikes and electro-scooters. Askoll, based in Dueville (Vicenza, Italy) is using the thermoplastic elastomer material from Kraiburg TPE for an anti-rattle overmoulding of the battery connector… Read more »
COVESTRO has put into operation its first wind turbines with wind blades made using polyurethane infusion resin. The successful installation marks the latest milestone in Covestro’s mission to commercialise polyurethane infusion resin as a key material that will help to shape the new generation of longer, stronger wind blades demanded by the wind power industry…. Read more »
BOREALIS have launched a new strategic alliance with Bockatech, a UK early stage Greentech and provider of EcoCore technology for sustainable packaging. This new material and technology partnership will advance the circular economy by developing low-cost, high performance, reusable, and recyclable foam injection moulding solutions. The open-innovation agreement will accelerate the development of Bockatech’s technology,… Read more »
FASHION label Seven Crash unveiled its innovative ‘Quantus’ collection of unlimited possibilities with its futuristic urban streetwear outfits at the Autumn/Winter New York Fashion Week 2019. The collection, designed in collaboration with chemical company BASF and downstream fabric maker – San Fang, pushes the boundaries in fabric innovation to enable fashion-forward designs and functionality. BASF’s… Read more »
GREEN & Light Automotive Components (Green & Light), an innovative company based in China, has introduced an easy-to-clean surface covering for car trunk floors. Using polyurethane paper honeycomb technology, the trunk floor surface is covered by Elastoskin®, a polyurethane skin technology from BASF. Compared to conventional non-woven fabric surfaces, this newly developed product is easier… Read more »
US company, Audia Elastomers in Washington, Pennsylvania – a global supplier of innovative elastomer materials – is meeting the growing needs of the durable pet toy market with an extensive range of leading-edge material solutions. The company provides brand owners with high-performance elastomers that deliver durability, tear strength, high clarity and adhesion for a range… Read more »
MODERN day tennis players tend to play with more spin and as a result, hit the ball out of the top of the racket rather than the centre. The disadvantage of this is players swing with more force to generate more power and spin. This puts extra load on the player’s arm and can result… Read more »
ACCORDING to a recent study conducted by London based Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew claims that fungi are capable of expediting the breakdown of plastics. The aspergillus tubingensis fungus was featured in the State of the World’s Fungi 2018 report, which also documented that fungi are optimal in producing sustainable building materials and are capable of removing… Read more »
A TUGBOAT departed San Francisco Bay on 8 September bound for the Great Pacific Garbage Patch with a marine litter collection system in tow, designed to rid the seas of plastic. According to PlasticNews.com, the tug was deployed by the Rotterdam, Netherlands-based nonprofit group Ocean Cleanup. The 610-metre-long system consists of a floating plastic boom… Read more »
JEFF Cawcutt and his Zerma Africa team are grateful to have had a busy couple of months, installing several Zerma shredders and granulators around the country. Sizabantu Piping Systems, established in 2002 as a specialist supplier of plastic piping to the civil, industrial, mining and agricultural sectors; and having grown from strength to strength, partnered… Read more »
NATIONAL awards officially recognising innovation and excellence in Advanced Manufacturing were made for the first time in South Africa at the African Additive Manufacturing & Composites Show held in PE in November. The National Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Awards, hosted by the DT and the national Composites Cluster, were opened to all companies operating in the… Read more »
BUILDING on the success of the PF24-8B 1.5 Step injection stretch blow moulding machine first launched at K2013 in Düsseldorf, Nissei ASB recently debuted the first of its new PF36 Series at China Brew & Beverage 2018 in Shanghai. The new model line-up extends the range and capabilities of the platform providing higher productivity and… Read more »
The SPECTROFLEX V from motan-colortronic is a modular, extremely flexible volumetric dosing system for powder, granules, pellets, regrind, flakes and fibres. The modular design enables optimized individual adaptation. With just a few hand movements, the dosing unit can easily be adapted to different material properties. There is now a gravimetric dosing module available for the… Read more »
THE Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) Thermoforming Division has announced the winners of its annual parts competition. “A variety of heavy and thin gauge parts of exceptional quality were submitted to this year’s competition,” noted Matt O’Hagan of the SPE Thermoforming Division’s Board of Directors. “This year’s winning entries highlighted the innovation that continues to… Read more »
Examples of technological advancement world-wide at inaugural event THE 4th industrial revolution is not science fiction. Experts from across the globe affirmed the reality, scope and scale of technological advancement world-wide at the inaugural African Advanced Manufacturing and Composites Show in Port Elizabeth from 6-8 November. This was the biggest ever gathering of additive manufacturing,… Read more »
