Sk-mid - PA - Schmidt Kunststoff GmbH

Kunststoffe international, Contacts – Now More Than Ever
© Hanser/Streifinger© Hanser/Streifinger© Hanser/StreifingerAt the end of this year, is “Hurray, we’re still alive!” all we have to say? In the shadow of the Corona pandemic, 2020 was certainly a year that concentrated our attention on what is really urgent, what will bring companies through an economically difficult time and into a future that is still uncertain. The complete cancellation not only of important spring events, but of the plastics industry’s fall exhibition program doesn’t make th...

Kunststoffe international, Formed Pultrusion Profiles
Pultrusion profiles are typically inexpensive, stable – and one-dimensional. Local stretch bending represents a new approach to forming thermoplastic pultrusion profiles. Pultrusion is an inexpensive process for the production of fiber-reinforced composite structures. Cost-sensitive sectors such as the automotive industry therefore have a strong incentive to use pultrusion profiles for the local reinforcement of structural components. In certain cases, it is also conceivable to assemble structu...

Kunststoffe international, K 2019
Until the opening of K in Düsseldorf, Germany, the trade fair halls remain shrouded in mystery. Of course, the finishing touches will not be fixed until mid-October and this time, too, a few of the exhibits will not be ready until shortly before the show starts. But, on 80 pages, you can gain a preview here of what could be gleaned beforehand about the latest new developments and advances.

Kunststoffe international, Medical Applications of Additive ‧Manufacturing
Anyone who introduced additive manufacturing (AM) in a company 15 years ago was a visionary. Anyone who did not do so ten years ago fell behind the early adopters. Anyone who still is not using additive manufacturing today is losing their edge over the competition. What this technology is considered capable of today and how it can be applied in many areas of application is shown (representative) by this expert’s view of medical technology. Additive manufacturing (AM) is bringing about increasing...

Kunststoffe international, What Can You Do at Fall Fairtime, When There Aren’t Any?
A year to forget is nearing its completion. To brighten up this dreary fall season without a major event like ‧Fakuma, injection molding machine builders have concocted various strategies to compensate for the cancellations of the many industry events that have fallen victim to the corona pandemic. In early fall, several companies opened up their technical centers to visitors, albeit only on advance notice and in compliance with distance requirements and rules of hygiene. In addition to selected...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, 3-Dimensional Moulded Circuit Carriers
3-Dimensional Moulded Circuit Carriers New Process Combines 3D-MID Technology with IMD Ulrich Schütz, Leverkusen/Germany The first components made by the 3D-MID technology were produced by 2-component injection moulding with subsequent metallization or by hot embossing of conductive tracks into the surface of the components in series production. A third, less well-known process is gradually arousing interest, namely the insert moulding of film structured with conductive tracks. Mechanica...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, 30 Years of Playmobil: Investing in the Future
Sports and Leisure Investing in the Future 30 Years of Playmobil. This year, geobra Brandstätter GmbH & Co. KG celebrates the 30th birthday of its highly successful toy range. Headquartered in Zirndorf, Franconia/Germany, this toy manufacturer had the right idea at the right time, combined with sophisticated plastics processing technology and a clever marketing strategy, that enabled it first to take pole position among German toy manufacturers and then to conquer children's play rooms all...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, A New Generation: Flexible Profile Production on 32D Extruders
Extrusion Flexible Profile Production on 32D Extruders Hans-Peter Schneider A New Generation. Market studies show that, in the extrusion of plastics profiles, it will not just be throughput that plays a decisive role in future but, above all, the flexibility of the extrusion line. Lengthening the processing unit to 32D marks the answer to this development. Formulation costs for pipe extrusion have been reduced over the past few years through the use of high proportions of filler, and partic...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, A Systematic Approach to Micro-Injection Moulding
A Systematic Approach to Micro-Injection Moulding Combining 3D-MID and Microsystems Engineering Rainer Bourdon and Werner Schneider, Roding/Germany Increasing calls for micro-injection moulded parts and structures over the past few years have prompted the development of new mould and process technologies to produce these parts. The number of technical applications is constantly increasing. The examples that can be given are many and varied and are to be found particularly in the automotive...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, Above Average Growth of TPE
Above Average Growth of TPE Strategic Market Study Points to Potentials Eckhard Schäfer, Heidelberg/Germany The market for thermoplastic elastomers is growing annually at two decimal rates. While for some types of TPE this growth is exceptional, a number of other materials are being replaced by TPE. An extensive market study by the Lean Management Zentrum, Heidelberg, shows future trends. In the next years sales of thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) will grow by 8 to 36 % annually depending ...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, Adding Value through Quality and Technology
Adding Value through Quality and Technology Innovating with Multi-Functional Systems Michael Kömpf, Munich/Germany Taking an holistic view of customer orders and thinking in terms of parameters that influence processes are the foundations of success at the plastics engineering company RKT GmbH (Rodinger Kunststoff-Technik). By adopting this approach, the company has evolved from being a small mould-making operation to an international, innovative injection moulding processor specialising i...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, Automotive Safety Parts: Sophisticated Occupant Protection
Injection Moulding Sophisticated Occupant Protection Automotive Safety Parts. In the interior design of modern cars, safety aspects play just as big a role as a high-quality appearance of the plastic components used. Gentner GmbH, Barthelmesaurach/Germany, has specialised in the production of safety-critical injection mouldings for the automotive industry, in particular in the airbag region. Robert Burzler Founded in the mid-60s by Walter and Paula Gentner, the company was initially a contract...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, BASF and its Customers: Profitable Growth
Market and Management Profitable Growth BASF and its Customers. By seeking even closer collaboration, BASF intends to keep growing profitably alongside its customers. Examples are the joint development of a new sports-shoe design with adidas-Salomon and the assumption of responsibility for the entire coating process at automotive producer Renault. Gudrun Klein In line with its strategic guideline, "Help our customers to be more successful," BASF is seeking to focus on even greater custom...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, Bond Reliably: The Right Adhesive
Joining Technology The Right Adhesive Bond Reliably. The property profile of polymeric materials also affects the bonding or joining method employed. Classical methods such as welding are often not suitable, so that bonding technology is gaining in importance. In order to achieve a successful bonding, however, certain basic prerequisites must be met. Gudrun Weigel With about 15 wt.-% in new car models, plastics represent the second largest materials group in the automotive sector and show a...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, Broad Range of Application: High-density Polyethylene (PE-HD)
Special: World Market High-density Polyethylene (PE-HD) Broad Range of Application. Between 2000 and 2003, global sales of PE-HD increased 4.3% p.a. to 25.5 million tons. In Western Europe, demand rose by only 2.7% overall, to stand at around 5.1 million tons. Over the next few years, average growth rates are expected to be approximately 6% worldwide and 3.5% for Western Europe. The Asian market, in particular, is set to experience disproportionately high growth over the years to come. The r...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, Coloured PPVC Films: Colour Makes the Difference
Additives Colour Makes the Difference Coloured PPVC Films. The influence of coloration on the weathering resistance of plasticised PVC films was studied. While UV stability is significantly improved by the addition of carbon black, this increases surface temperature at the same time, leading to high plasticiser losses. So under what circumstances is coloration an advantage and what colours should be used? Martin Bonnet Plasticised PVC (PPVC) is one of today’s best known and most researched mate...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, Colours in Light
Colours in Light Aliphatic TPU for Lightfast Car Parts Jürgen Hättig, Wolfgang Drube, Leverkusen/Germany, and Wolfgang Kaufhold, Dormagen/Germany A new thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer (TPU) based on aliphatic isocyanates is more lightfast than conventional aromatic TPUs and allows the production of light-coloured parts. It opens up possibilities for high-quality, aesthetic automotive design. Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) has been used in automotive engineering for many years for ...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, Combinations Enhance Performance Many Times Over
Combinations Enhance Performance Many Times Over Trends, Tendencies and Perspectives in Multi-component Injection Moulding Ansgar Jaeger, Schwaig/Germany While the mould technology and process engineering for multi-component injection moulding are becoming ever more complex, the machines can be configured in an increasingly flexible manner on a modular basis. Future opportunities for multi-component injection moulding will be based first and foremost on the combination of different approac...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, Concrete Building: Plastics Replace Plywood
Concrete Building: Plastics Replace Plywood Formwork made of plywood has many drawbacks. A new sandwich system in plastic offers improved surface properties, greater durability and lower repair costs. Ernst Schmachtenberg, Thomas Seul, Carsten Tüchert More than 10000m² of formwork for walls and ceilings were used on the big building sites for the Reichstag in Berlin alone (title photo). The mechanical stressing that acts on this formwork is enormous. Soffit formwork not only has to wit...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, Continued Strong Growth: PET in Beverage Packaging
Trend Report: Engineering Plastics PET in Beverage Packaging Continued Strong Growth. The raw material of PET has undergone a change. Modified product grades now permit even faster injection moulding cycles and higher cycling rates in bottle production. In addition, the grade of PET (in combination with different barrier materials) and the bottle design have been aligned to the bottled product. Kajetan Müller Frank Welle Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is continuing to show high growth in th...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, Controlling Movements
Controlling Movements Magnetostrictive Linear Transducers Increase Reliability in Injection Moulding Manfred Münzl, Albert Feinäugle, Neuhausen/Germany and Andreas Becher, Heuchlingen/Germany The control of movements in injection moulding machines requires linear transducers to feed the stroke information back to the controller. Until recently, potentiometric linear transducers were normally used. Now the market share of non-contacting, magnetostrictive linear transducers is increasing bec...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, Convertible Roofs: Targeting the Fresh-air Fanatics
Convertibles Targeting the Fresh-air Fanatics Convertible Roofs. Auto manufacturers across the world regard maximum customisation of their vehicles as a magic wand for generating new incentives to buy in a largely saturated market. The convertible segment offers a particularly wide scope in this respect. Stefan Schlott Of the many thousands of individual parts found in a convertible, the top performs a rather ambivalent function. As a rule, when driving with the top down, it is expected to “res...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, Details of Economic Development: High-density Polyethylene (PE-HD)
Trend Report: Commodity Plastics High-density Polyethylene (PE-HD) Details of Economic Development. The development of the key applications for PE-HD, such as pipes, tapes, hollow articles and packaging, has shown little change in the last few years. Western Europe's share of global PE-HD capacities has decreased as a result of investments in the growth markets of Asia and Eastern Europe. In the period between 2001 and 2004, PE-HD consumption in Western Europe went up by 3.3% to 5.2 millio...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, Development History of Plastics: Growth through Changing Times
PE103251 Special Growth through Changing Times Development History of Plastics. Plastics are markers of social change and pacesetters for technological progress. This emerges clearly from a review of their development, which started before the 20th century and has been characterised by steady growth. It all began with galalith, celluloid and thermosets, while today polyolefins and other thermoplastics are the high-volume sellers. The growth opportunities for plastics today still appear to be al...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, Driving the Automotive Industry: Engineering Elastomers
Trend Report Crosslinking Plastics Engineering Elastomers Driving the Automotive Industry. Within the elastomer-manufacturing industry, there is increasing concentration and focus on product groups. Regardless of this, the trend towards relocating production of standard products within the expanded European Union continues to advance. In the future, China and India will also increasingly emerge both as markets and production locations for engineering elastomer products. Werner P. Lauhus The Eu...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, Dynamic Growth: Liquid Crystal Polymers (LCP)
Special: World Market Liquid Crystal Polymers (LCP) Dynamic Growth. Since their introduction to the market in the mid-1980s, LCPs have experienced rapid growth, with annual growth rates between 15 and 25% to date. According to predictions, the market should continue to grow an additional 12 to 15% until 2007. Ever shorter product lifetimes combined with ever increasing production quantities that must be produced in ever shorter time frames with increasing miniaturisation and the resultant incre...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, Efficient Project Development
Efficient Project Development Polyarylamide Compounds for Cycle Brake Housings Wolf Sanner, Rheinberg/Germany, Robert Olz, Bad Urach/Germany, Vito Leo, Brussels/Belgium, and Thomas Halcour, Kerpen-Sindorf/Germany Light weight, a balanced strength profile, an excellent surface finish and very good slip properties are the most important requirements for cycle brake components. Calculations and extensive laboratory and practical tests confirmed the suitability of polyarylamide (PA MXD6) compo...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, Elastomers
Elastomers Economic Situation and Observed Trends Werner P. Lauhus, Münster/Germany World consumption of synthetic rubber is expected to grow at +2.9% per year by 2005. Of this, China expects to see the biggest growth at +8.4%. In 2000, the synthetic rubbers with most growth in demand were EPDMs, owing to the increased consumption of technical rubber goods, and butadiene rubber, because of increased use in tyre applications. Germany is one of the world’s biggest technology motors in the ...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, Electrical Component Parts: Thermal Metal Spraying of Conductor Lines on Plastic
Further Processing and Finishing Thermal Metal Spraying of Conductor Lines on Plastic Electrical Component Parts. Thermal spraying of metals is a well known process principle for a long time. Its use in the field of selective surface coating of plastic component parts is new. Thick conductor structures for electrical applications can be applied with this technology. Gerhard Reichinger Knuth Götz Martin W. Ott Galvanic or chemical processes are the centre of attention in today's usual pro...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, Energy Consumption: How Much Energy Does a Drive System Need?
Energy Consumption: How Much Energy Does a Drive System Need? Injection moulding machines with electromechanical drive systems have lower energy consumption than their hydraulic counterparts. This is a generally accepted fact. But do the energy savings of 50 to 80% as described in older studies also still apply to the new machine generations? And what are the potential savings for a complete production cell? Recent studies provide some answers. Johannes Wortberg, Thomas Kamps, Reinhard Schif...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, Exhibition Preview: North American and Canadian Products at K 2004
USA-Special North American and Canadian Products at K 2004 Exhibition Preview. In Düsseldorf, more than 140 U.S. American and Canadian Companies will present their innovations for the first time to an European specialist audience. The editors of the magazine Plastics Technology have assembled a selection of the most important developments. With this thematically structured preliminary report you can effectively prepare your visit at the K show. Injection Moulding News from includes all-electr...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, Exterior Vehicle Body Parts: Films instead of Painting?
Exterior Vehicle Body Parts: Films instead of Painting? The trend towards flexibilisation and modularisation in automotive engineering is increasing. There is a demand, particularly in the exterior body parts sector, for surface and material technologies that are economic yet also produce attractive finishes. The BASF Group offers a complete range of products (ASA, ABS and SAN films) and services for the challenging new concepts in vehicle body manufacture. Achim Grefenstein, Kaan Kaymak T...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, Framework Principle: New Production Process for Fibre-reinforced Composite Components
Composite Material New Production Process for Fibre-reinforced Composite Components Framework Principle. Economic production of high-load-bearing, lightweight structural components is now possible in a one-stage process. This process is a combination of the established method for producing components from long-fibre thermoplastics with the strategic use of complex multiple inserts of unidirectionally oriented endless fibres. Long-fibre-reinforced thermoplastics (LFT) are now widely used for la...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, Fully Automated MID Technology: Complete Solution for Overmoulding Flexible Circuit Foils
Tooling Complete Solution for Overmoulding Flexible Circuit Foils Fully Automated MID Technology. The mouldmaker, Erwin Quarder Werkzeugbau, offers a complete, fully automated solution for in-mould lamination of flexible circuit foils. This “Flex-Foil” method is faster and more economical than conventional stamped circuits. For the production of electric circuits on three-dimensional moulded components, this technology requires less space and fewer operations for identical functionality. Erwin ...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, GIT, Sandwich and Two-component Moulding in Practice and Research: Correct Application of Multicomponent Processes
25 Years of KTP Correct Application of Multicomponent Processes GIT, Sandwich and Two-component Moulding in Practice and Research. The article gives a brief survey of gas-assisted injection moulding, multi-component composite injection moulding and sandwich injection moulding. It highlights application problems in practice and potential solutions from research at the KTP. Despite the fact that the term "multicomponent process" is only used in the literature in the context of the injectio...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, Good Growth Prospects: Ticona Sets its Stakes on Engineering Plastics
Special Ticona Sets its Stakes on Engineering Plastics Good Growth Prospects. An increasing number of key industries are substituting engineering plastics for conventional materials. At the same time, an ever-greater number of composites are being used. Ticona is intending to profit from both trends, which are set to become even more pronounced over the years to come. The focal points of the company's activities are constant process optimisation and the development of new products and marke...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, Growing with the Electronics Market: Liquid-Crystal Polymers (LCP)
Trend Report High Performance Plastics Liquid-Crystal Polymers (LCP) Growing with the Electronics Market. Electronics applications are still the driving force behind the consumption and development of liquid-crystal polymers. As parts get ever smaller but at the same time more complex, increasing demands are made on the material grades used. In many cases, LCPs offer the most efficient solution here thanks to their extraordinary range of properties. Birgit Staub Stefan Greulich Since the end o...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, Growth Market for Powder Injection Moulding
Growth Market for Powder Injection Moulding Opportunities for Processors Frank Petzoldt, Bremen/Germany The injection moulding of metal and ceramic powder materials (powder injection moulding - PIM) has become established as a competitive technology for precision parts. PIM's success results from the high freedom of shaping allowed by plastics injection moulding technology combined with the wide choice of materials offered by powder technology. This leads to a dynamically growing marke...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, High Increase in Consumption: Polyamides (PA)
Special: World Market Polyamides (PA) High Increase in Consumption. Since commercial manufacture of polyamide 6 and 66 began more than 60 years ago, annual demand for polyamide has grown to 6 million tonnes worldwide. In 2003, the global market for PA materials grew by 5%. Stronger market growth is predicted for 2004. In recent years, world polyamide consumption has grown at a rate of 7% p.a. No end to this trend is in sight. The high versatility of the polymers and the possibility of modifying ...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, High-density Polyethylene (PE-HD)
High-density Polyethylene (PE-HD) Gerd Beer, Helmut Danz, Christof Justus, Rainer Mantel, Jörg Schnorr, Michael Vogt and Albert Weber This article traces the development of consumption and applications of PE-HD in various industries. Market Trends From 1998 to 2001, PE-HD consumption in Western Europe grew by 3.5 to 4.0% to 4.75million tonnes. This trend for PE-HD is likely to continue in the coming years. In this period, exports to overseas and to Eastern Europe increased by about 150 to...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, High-performance Polymers: Metal Substitution and Miniaturisation
Trade Fair Report Metal Substitution and Miniaturisation High-performance Polymers. Fuel cells, short-term implants, miniaturised electronic components and even baking moulds – high-performance plastics are to be found almost everywhere. Designers always choose members of this small group of specialty polymers for parts that require high thermal stability or special properties such as chemical resistance, high light transmission or biocompatibility. Visitors to K2004 were able to discover numer...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, High-perspective Location
High-perspective Location BASF Schwarzheide Attracts Investors Through investments of around DM 2 billion, BASF Schwarzheide GmbH has gradually become a highly competitive site within the BASF Group. The company is aiming to achieve a turnover of DM 1 billion in the coming year. Through attractive investment promotion schemes, it is hoped that in particular plastic converters will re-locate to the site during the next few years. The Schwarzheide site in the southern part of the German Sta...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, High-temperature Polyamides: Lead-free Soldering
Engineering Plastics Lead-free Soldering High-temperature Polyamides. New high-performance polyamides allow manufacturers of electrical and electronic components to make their products flame-retardant without the use of halogens in compliance with the new legislation. At the same time, new materials based on polyphthalamide (PPA) permit economic soldering processes, which can also be carried out without defects at the significantly higher temperatures required under lead-free conditions. Klaus...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, Highlighting the Appeal
Highlighting the Appeal Training Next-generation Scientific and Technical staff for the Plastics Industry Walter Michaeli and Nadja Mayk, Aachen Students’ enthusiasm for technical subjects will have to be aroused at school already if we are to be in a position to train enough qualified, next-generation employees throughout the country as a whole. This is something that requires an effort on the part of all those involved: the schools, universities, industry, politics, parents and society. ...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, Hot-runner Technology: Real Wood Applications
Tooling Real Wood Applications Hot-runner Technology. The interior trim strip of an upper middle-range car is manufactured economically and in top quality using a hot-runner system from Incoe International, Inc. In this case, it is not produced by in-mould decoration of a film, but – to give a special touch to the car interior - of a real-wood veneer. Klaus-Dieter Kapp In our society, the automobile is still a status symbol. It is therefore not surprising that some demanding customers for upper ...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, Improved Efficiency and Quality
Improved Efficiency and Quality Trends in PVC Profile and Pipe Extrusion Hans-Peter Schneider, Munich/Germany Pressure to reduce costs while increasing product quality is driving the process of continuous innovation, and thereby forming the basis for new investment decisions. For machine manufacturers, this means a continuing trend towards ever better efficiency of production technology, and represents a permanent challenge. An important factor in the economy of an extrusion line is output perfo...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, In the Injection Moulding Microcosm
In the Injection Moulding Microcosm An Integrated System Solution for Precision Microsystem Parts Martin Ganz, Kottingbrunn/Austria The world is getting smaller. This not only applies to globetrotters, but also to technical developers. Demand for tiny injection moulded parts is growing. Compared with this catch lever, a child would say that an ant is big (Fig.1). But for an adult, this juxtaposition shows just how tiny the part is. The Microsystem injection moulding system (manufacturer:...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, Injection Moulding by MuCell Technology: Pole Position
Injection Moulding by MuCell Technology: Pole Position Technically complicated plastic parts, e.g. for applications in automotive engineering, can now be produced by physical foaming. The advantages that this brings for injection moulders are described in this empirical report, which describes the practical application of this innovative process. Ursula Schröder Plastics processors are naturally always interested in new technologies that yield clear cost savings or better process reliabili...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, Injection Moulding Machine Control Technology
Injection Moulding Machine Control Technology Development and Trends Michael Kleinebrahm, Neustadt-Fernthal/Germany Injection moulding machine controls have had to become ever more sophisticated in recent years. This trend has been driven by growing demands for documentation, precision and ease of operation. Further developments can be expected in future as a result of intelligent software integrated into the machine. Until the end of the sixties, injection moulding machines relied on re...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, Injection Moulding of Microcellular Foams
Injection Moulding of Microcellular Foams The Designs Behind the Methods Walter Michaeli, Oliver Pfannschmidt and Sasan Habibi-Naini, Aachen/Germany Methods for injection moulding microcellular foams are increasingly crowding onto the market. The foam is the same but the underlying concepts differ enormously. This article surveys commercially available systems and innovative methods. Injection-moulded integral foams, both conventional and microcellular kinds, are finding more and more wi...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, Innovation through New Processes
Innovation through New Processes Walter Michaeli and Edmund Haberstroh, Aachen/Germany Many technical developments in the automotive industry, aeronautical engineering and the electrical and communications sectors would be inconceivable without the specifically tailored application of polymeric materials. Material and process development have to go hand in hand here to achieve the required advances. This gives rise to a constant demand for new or modified processing and simulation technologi...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, Innovative Design Opportunities for Magnet Technology: Injection Moulded Permanent Magnets Employing the Two-component Technique
Innovative Design Opportunities for Magnet Technology: Injection Moulded Permanent Magnets Employing the Two-component Technique A plastics processor has developed a process that can be used to produce injection-moulded, permanent magnets with improved magnetic and mechanical properties. Michael Stadler, Wolfgang Koos Plastic-bonded magnetic materials with fillers such as SrFe, BaFe, NdFeB and SmCo are used first and foremost on account of the freedom of design that the injection moulding ...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, Innovative Solutions from VDI-K: Outside and Under the Bonnet
VDI-K Outside and Under the Bonnet Innovative Solutions from VDI-K. The VDI-K “Plastics in Automotive Construction” congress held in Mannheim/Germany is the forum for automotive engineers seeking to learn more about plastics innovations that have proved themselves in initial series applications. The following report from this year's congress deals with applications in bodywork and the engine compartment. Wolfgang Kircher The widely known advantages of plastics, such as weight savings, func...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, Integrative Processing Technology: Injection Moulding Processes – Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow
Special Injection Moulding Processes – Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow Integrative Processing Technology. As one of the most important processing technologies, injection moulding has experienced, by far, some of the greatest advances in recent decades. From its origins based on simple moulding of thermoplastic resins, a product-specific processing technology has been developed that has as its objective production of complex parts via a combination of various individual processing techniques. Erw...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, Interview: “Faith-healing is not Enough”
Market and Management Interview: “Faith-healing is not enough” The new captain on board SMS Plastics Technology has set a new course, given a few sharp commands (edition 8/04, page 50) and hoisted the sail. So will the wind now pick up or is Wilhelm Schröder merely puffing up his cheeks? Clemens Doriat and Gerhard Gotzmann, editors of Kunststoffe, wanted to find out. Wilhelm Schröder talks about the end of a downward spiral, the art of motivation, misdirected ambition and catering to customers...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, Interview: “With the Four Pillar Strategy, We Are on the Right Track“
Interview “With the Four Pillar Strategy, We Are on the Right Track“ On the occasion of a press conference held by Degussa AG, Dr. Manfred Spindler, Executive Vice President and Head of the Specialty Polymers Division at Degussa, answered questions about business development and strategy. The interview was carried out by Gudrun Klein, who is responsible for materials and applications at Kunststoffe. Dr. Manfred Spindler about the main reasons for Degussa’s success in global competition Kuns...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, Laser Direct Structuring of Plastics
Laser Direct Structuring of Plastics A New Addition to MID Technologies Horst Wißbrock, Lemgo/Germany The traditional MID production technologies now include a new process that has been well received by specialists: laser direct imaging of thermoplastics. All the fundamental aspects of this method – technological, ecological and economic – are described and compared with prior technologies. Moulded interconnect devices – injection moulded thermoplastic circuit carriers – are predicted to...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, Laser Welding Transparent Parts
Laser Welding Transparent Parts Wide Area of Application. Up until now, laser-welding of clear-transparent components was not possible, because these materials did not absorp the laser beam. A new method involving the application of a special dispersion yields almost invisible welding seams. Gareth McGrath In plastics processing there are a variety of methods for joining plastics, including mechanical and chemical joining methods and welding. Each method has its own advantages and disadvan...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, Laser-sintering Technology: Series Production in Miniature
Laser-sintering Technology: Series Production in Miniature Whether in automotive engineering, household appliances or medical technology – an increasing number of sectors are employing laser-sintering for the series production of plastics parts. This is a technology that is virtually unmatched by any other when it comes to satisfying the current trend towards increased customisation and a greater range of variants. Michael Shellabear, Volker Junior There can scarcely be a trickier installa...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, Latest Materials and Production Processes: 3D-MID Technology
3D-MID Technology Latest Materials and Production Processes. The use of the MID technology opens up fresh potential for the development and design of three-dimensional circuit carriers. It means, for example, that an electronic device can be manufactured in any desired shape, and it offers maximum integration potential at the same time. Klaus Feldmann Andreas Kunze Whereas thermoset materials are generally used to manufacture conventional printed circuit boards, thermoplastics tend to be the ...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, Life Cycle Costing: Making Sustainability of Plastics Measurable
Market and Management Making Sustainability of Plastics Measurable Life Cycle Costing. Analysing the production process for plastics in order to assess sustainable processes and products does not go far enough. The experience gained from over 220 eco-efficiency analyses shows that not only the ecological but also the economic effects over the entire life cycle must be examined. Markus Piepenbrink Andreas Kicherer The vision of a sustainable development, in harmony with the future, is most cer...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, Liquid Crystalline Polymers (LCP)
Liquid Crystalline Polymers (LCP) Bernd Sparenberg, Frankfurt am Main/Germany Over the last three years, liquid crystalline polymers (LCP) have undergone a remarkable development. With growth rates of between 15 % and 20 % p.a. this material has established a strong market position with a turnover of approximately EUR 300 million. This successful evolvement has been possible due to the speedy advancement of the mobile phone and internet industries. LCPs range among the most important materia...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, Lotus-Effect – Now and in the Future
Lotus-Effect – Now and in the Future Gernot T. Dambacher, Marl/Germany Back in the 1980s, the botanist Wilhelm Barthlott discovered the much quoted lotus-effect. Since the mid-1990s, a number of companies have been working on the industrial exploitation of this effect. But what products are actually available now? And what products can we expect in future? In most cases, “the Teflon frying pan” is the spontaneous answer that people give when asked what achievement from the early days of sp...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, Materials with Multiple Functions
Materials with Multiple Functions Plastics in Telecommunication and Information Technology Gerhard Gotzmann, Vierkirchen/Germany The importance of polymeric materials in telecommunication and information technology continues to increase. Although originally not conceived as conductive materials they currently fulfil functions as electrical conductors and semiconductors as well as light emitters. Based on this characteristic potential, new electronic components like organic light emitting d...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, Materials: Housings and Catheters
Housings and Catheters Materials. The High Performance Polymers Division of Degussa AG, Düsseldorf, produces speciality polymers that are used in medical technology. These include a number of different speciality polyamides (PA), polyamide coating powders and polybutylene terephthalate moulding compounds (PBT). The polyamide 12 and polyamide 12 elastomer moulding compounds, Vestamid L and Vestamid E display particular resistance to chemicals as well as being compatible with body fluids and tox...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, Micro-Injection Moulding: Microfluidic Systems with Integrated Semiconductor Chips
Special Microfluidic Systems with Integrated Semiconductor Chips Micro-Injection Moulding. Combining microfluidic systems and electronic components usually requires a joining process. However, the joints are usually leaky and it is sometimes a problem to integrate the parts. As an alternative, the possibility was investigated of manufacturing a part by injection/insert moulding of the semiconductor chip, and synchronous producing a microfluidic system by micro-injection moulding with the polymer...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, Microsystems: MID Housing for a Flow Sensor System
Microsystems: MID Housing for a Flow Sensor System The MID technology allows the integration of electrical and fluidic functions in housings for micro-system components. At the Hahn-Schickard-Gesellschaft, a flow sensor system has been developed with a thermal flow sensor and an MID housing. Flow sensor systems are used whenever volume flows of gases or liquids have to be accurately determined, metered or controlled. Possible fields of application for such systems include laboratory apparatu...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, MID - A New Technology Reaches Production Maturity
MID - A New Technology Reaches Production Maturity Markets, Opportunities and Developments Michael Kömpf, München/Germany The areas of application for the MID technology (Moulded Interconnect Devices) are expanding at a significant rate. The boom in telecommunications and further developments in the field of automotive sensor systems are opening up new markets. The recent MID Congress in Erlangen/Germany illustrated the potential and future of the technology. MID components integrate ele...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, Modified Polyphenylene Ether (PPE)
Modified Polyphenylene Ether (PPE) Henk Perree, Bergen op Zoom/Netherlands Blends based on polyphenylene ether (PPE) combine the properties of plastics such as polypropylene, polystyrene and polyamide with the familiar high heat resistance, high dimensional stability and good hydrolysis resistance of PPE. Applications are to be found primarily in the automotive sector. Modified PPE blends are well known for their high heat resistance, high dimensional stability, very low water absorption a...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, Modified Polyphenylene Ethers (PPE)
Modified Polyphenylene Ethers (PPE) Jos van Gisbergen and Wim Minderhout, Bergen op Zoom/Netherlands Modified PPE materials have been on the market for more than 35 years and are well established among engineering plastics. PPE polymer is well known for its high heat resistance, high dimensional stability, low water absorption and good hydrolytic stability. For these reasons, PPE is an important blending partner for other polymers. Polyphenylene ether - also known as polyphenylene oxide (P...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, More Light
More Light Elkamet Kunststofftechnik GmbH in Biedenkopf If they are to become properly established in niche markets, plastics processing enterprises must not be afraid of unusual and demanding production processes. That it can be worth concentrating on intelligent speciality products away from oversaturated markets is illustrated by the example of Elkamet, a manufacturer of lighting globes, extruded profiles for engineering applications and tanks for vehicle applications. Back in 1954, a c...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, Motor Vehicle Interiors
Motor Vehicle Interiors Ideas, Concepts, Materials Johannes Seesing, Odenthal/Germany “The Fascination of Cars” – that was the motto of the 59th International Automobile Exhibition (IAA) held last year in Frankfurt. Aside from the latest range of manufacturers’ vehicles, there were again numerous design studies on display for the vehicles of the future. However, not only were complete cars exhibited, but suppliers also presented interesting interior studies showing trend-setting approaches...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, Moulds for Micro-Injection Moulding
Moulds for Micro-Injection Moulding Tips, Experiences and Applications from the World of Mould Making Manfred Holzhauer, Malsfeld-Beiseförth/Germany, and Volker Zippmann, Münzenberg/Germany In micro-injection moulding, the vagaries of moulded parts and processing affect the design, construction and production of the mould. Practical examples are shown of the difficulties that can arise and how they may be solved. Not even injection moulded parts can escape the tide of miniaturisation. Th...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, Multi-component Moulds: More Colour and More Functions
Multi-component Moulds: More Colour and More Functions Multi-component injection moulding makes it possible to combine the properties of different plastics or incorporate more than one colour in an individual moulded part and thus produce multi-functional parts in a single operation. The wealth of soft-touch mouldings that have emerged over the past few years have more or less made it essential to come up with innovations in the multi-component technique. Bernhard Rief Initial ideas and pa...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, Multi-material Technology: Always One Step Ahead Thanks to Active R&D
PE 102817 Automotive - Injection Moulding Always One Step Ahead Thanks to Active R&D Multi-material Technology. Multifunctional concepts for plastic parts have achieved their market success as a result of the variety of materials available and technologically advanced processing equipment. To take advantage of multi-material-technology, emerging technological trends must be recognised. Gottfried Steiner Herbert Brunner Christian Schumi The clear trend towards functionally integrated multicompone...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, Nano-replication: Concentration of Information
Injection Moulding Concentration of Information Nano-replication. In the optimisation of optical storage media, miniaturisation will continue to be a key aspect of development. A recent research project examined the influence of different masters and moulding compounds on the replication accuracy of nanostructures. Increasing the storage density of optical media such as CDs is not possible without additional miniaturisation of the surface structures – the so-called 'pits'. In the sear...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, New Possibilities for the Injection Moulding of Thin-wall Parts
New Possibilities for the Injection Moulding of Thin-wall Parts Precompression as a Supplementary Stage in High-speed Injection Moulding Nikolaus Kudlik, Näfels/Switzerland In recent years, there has been an increasing trend towards reducing the wall thickness of plastic parts. This applies not only to traditional thin-wall products in the packaging segment, but increasingly also to technical articles in the electrical and electronics sector. There are various reasons for wanting to red...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, News
TLC / DSM: TLC Takes Over DSM Product Portfolio Techmer Lehvoss Compounds LLC (TLC) and DSM Engineering Plastics, Americas, have agreed upon TLC’s take-over of engineering plastics specialty compounds performance plastics portfolio effective 1st October 2004. This transaction includes the acquisition of the Electrafil and Plaslube product ranges. TCL, an international joint-venture between Techmer PM and Lehvoss will install the new product facility and technical headquarters on a 81000-m2 site,...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, News
Plast/ipack-ima A Joint Appearance at the New Trade Fair Plast and ipack-ima, the two big trade fairs dedicated to plastics and packaging materials, are to be held side by side on the same dates, in future, with the next fair scheduled for 14 to 18 February 2006. The two events, which are held every three years, have always been located at the Fiera Milano in the past, and last time attracted visitors from more than 120 countries. Next time round they will be accommodated in the pavilions of th...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, Opportunity and Challenge
Opportunity and Challenge 3D-MID: Technologies and Trends Karl Kuhmann, Münster/Germany Roland Dörfler and Gottfried W. Ehrenstein, Erlangen/Germany As an alternative to conventional interconnect technology on the basis of planar thermoset circuit boards, MID technology represents a novel design and manufacturing concept that provides a high degree of functional integration. Well-considered use of MID technology can offer a number of benefits with regard to increased design flexibility, co...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, PBT Oligomers: Always in Good Form
Engineering Plastics Always in Good Form PBT Oligomers. A recently developed technology is based on the fact that cyclic butylene terephthalate (CBT) oligomers – i.e. thermoplastic precursors – allow the economic production of reinforced PBT compounds under both thermoset and reactive thermoplastic processing conditions. By varying the process and process conditions, tailored PBT products covering a broad range of properties and applications can be produced. Martin Rösch The semicrystalline the...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, PET Boom: PET Recycling and Direct Processing
PET Boom: PET Recycling and Direct Processing Growth in German PET production over the last three years has been above 30 % a year. This is attributable not least to an enormous increase in disposable, non-returnable packaging products made from this material. As a result, technical development has been driven at an above-average rate. Walter Michaeli, Torsten Schmitz Under the aspect of conserving resources, recycling is especially important with high-grade plastic products that have very...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, PET Bottles Success Story: Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)
Special: World Market Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) PET Bottles Success Story. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is the plastic that has experienced the biggest growth in demand over the past few years. This development has been prompted by the use of PET as a substitute for glass in bottles for carbonated beverages and mineral water and, increasingly, for beer too. Above-average growth rates are also expected for PET over the years to come. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) has been used...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, PET Packaging: Growth Market with a Future
Market and Management Growth Market with a Future PET Packaging. In mid-September, drinktec, the trade fair for beverage and liquid food technology, will open its gates in Munich together with the PETpoint. PET applications will thus play a prominent role at this event. With its outstanding properties, PET has become one of the most important packaging materials for the industry. New areas of application are being developed through innovation, opening up solutions and creating new benefits for ...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, Plastic Bodywork: No Steel, No Paint
No Steel, No Paint Plastic Bodywork. The production of in-mould laminated film parts for vehicle exteriors covers a variety of different products and processing stages. This article surveys the materials and technologies used in back-moulding the films. Achim Grefenstein Kaan Kaymak High-gloss film has been used since the mid-1990s for pillar trim, bodyside mouldings, exterior mirrors, roof drip mouldings, wheel covers, door sills and radiator grilles [1]. Prominent examples of this in Europe...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, Plastics in the Automotive Industry: Symbiosis between Design and Function
Design Symbiosis between Design and Function Plastics in the Automotive Industry. Ever since cars were first built at the beginning of the last century, which was also the time that modern synthetic polymers first saw the light of day, the proportion of these materials in car production has constantly increased. One of the main reasons for this are the modern-day design specifications, many of which can only be met with polymer materials – and in particular, plastics. Plastics combine many uniqu...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, Plastics Remain a Growth Industry
Plastics Remain a Growth Industry Gottfried Zaby, Leverkusen/Germany Just since the last K in 1998, total global production of plastics has risen by more than 12 % or 20 million tonnes, from 158 million tonnes in 1998 to 180 million tonnes in 2000. Within the European Union, some 47 million tonnes of plastic were produced in 2000. One in every four tonnes of plastic in the world now comes from the countries of the European Union. The industry can therefore embark on K 2001 with impressive pr...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, Polyamide (PA)
Polyamide (PA) Ralf Neuhaus and Klaus Uske, Ludwigshafen/Germany Since polyamide was first introduced on a commercial basis more than six decades ago, world-wide demand has risen to more than 6m. t. The balanced properties of this class of polymer and the ease with which it can be modified with fillers, elastomers and additives means that it still holds a high innovation potential today. Basic polyamide polymers are used for both fibres and engineering plastics, and are processed by extrus...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, Polypropylene
Polypropylene Yves Bonte and Rainer Schweda, Brussels/Belgium Several factors support the continuous growth of polypropylene consumption. Besides the general economic growth, polypropylene is continuously expanding its applications arena thanks to its versatile properties portfolio, excellent processability, relative low density and good cost/performance balance. Lifestyle changes of the consumer further stimulate the substitution of other thermoplastic resins and traditional materials like ...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, Practical Comparison of Simulation Techniques: 2.5D or 3D?
Simulation 2.5D or 3D? Practical Comparison of Simulation Techniques. More and more 3D programs for simulating the injection moulding process have become available in recent years. Especially as regards compact geometries, the three-dimensional part meshing demonstrated here promises to deliver more accurate simulation results than conventional 2.5D simulation methods, which reduce part geometry to a shell model for the purposes of simulation. The following article uses the example of a pump com...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, Pressure Forming Machines: Take Control of Complex Motion Sequences
Thermoforming Take Control of Complex Motion Sequences Pressure Forming Machines. Manufacturers of packaging products demand shorter and shorter cycle times in order to produce large quantities more cost-effectively. With a new machine concept and appropriate controls technology, it has been possible to double throughput. Werner Eberlein Automatic pressure forming machines are used primarily to produce trays, tubs and containers in the packaging industry, e.g., as inserts in packages of praline...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, Printing Plastic Surfaces Precisely and Economically
Printing Plastic Surfaces Precisely and Economically Max Dominik, Eschwege/Germany Following the manufacture of a plastic product, it is often necessary to treat its surface by painting, embossing, polishing or printing for the purposes of decoration or identification, in order to make it saleable or useful in the application. Though there are unlikely to be any surprising innovations in these technologies, ongoing improvements, rationalisation and automation of the processes and systems can...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, Process Integration: Short Cycles for Injection Moulded Microfluidics Parts
Process Integration: Short Cycles for Injection Moulded Microfluidics Parts Until now accurate casting of microfluidic structures in the injection moulding process has often been possible only with lengthy variable temperature thermal regulation of the mould. If these surface textures must still be sealed after injection, this usually takes place in an external covering station. Both lead to long cycle times. However, it is also possible to do this differently, as the following example shows. ...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, Processes and Trends in Injection Moulding
Processes and Trends in Injection Moulding What Processors Can Expect and What They Can Do Erwin Bürkle, Munich/Germany What yesterday was a special process reserved for a few processors may today already be a process variant that goes without saying. In particular, small and medium-sized processing shops must become much more intensively involved with the various special processing methods than they have perhaps done so far. Innovative companies will find that a broad field of activities awaits...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, PVC Processing: The Historical Development of the Counter-rotating Twin-screw Extruder
Special The Historical Development of the Counter-rotating Twin-screw Extruder Hans-Peter Schneider PVC Processing. Counter-rotating, closely intermeshing twin-screw extruders are primarily used nowadays for the production of pipes, profiles and sheet of unplasticised PVC. This article traces the evolution of this machine technology from its origins down to the present. In pipe and profile extrusion, conical twin-screw extruders are primarily used in the lower to medium performance range as p...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, Radiation-induced Crosslinking: Crosslinked PA6 for Circuit Carriers
Electronics Crosslinked PA6 for Circuit Carriers Radiation-induced Crosslinking. By post-crosslinking with an electron beam, it is possible to prevent engineering thermoplastics such as polyamide 6 from softening or melting. A definite improvement in the stability during soldering is the result. The crosslinking of plastics provides a very effective method for modifying the properties of engineering thermoplastics, particularly with regard to the current lead problem for the production of circui...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, Radical Changes in the Plastics World
Radical Changes in the Plastics World New Strategies, New Companies, New Chances Jürgen Stebani, Kaufbeuren/Germany The plastics industry finds itself in a period of radical change in which it must adapt to the needs of a product sector that has now come to maturity. Accordingly, there is currently little interest in new technologies or new materials that, in terms of quantity and complexity, do not fit in with the future structure of a global or supraregional industry that operates world-...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, Restructuring an Injection Moulding Machinery Manufacturer
Restructuring an Injection Moulding Machinery Manufacturer Management Consultants' Integrated Approach Pays Off Karlheinz Bourdon, Malterdingen, Walter Bantscheff and Karl-Heinz Pfaff, Simmozheim/Germany When restructuring a company, it is important to select the right management consultants and employ them properly. Taking the example of an injection moulding machinery manufacturer, the article shows how problems such as late delivery, long lead times, overstocked warehouses, slow ord...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, Safe Braking
Safe Braking ABS Accumulator Pistons in PPS for Automotive Engineering Uwe Behle, Frankfurt am Main/Germany A further-refined PPS is once again displaying its potential for fulfilling extremely demanding automotive applications with the example of the chemical, pressure and heat-resistant accumulator pistons employed in the ABS brake systems produced by Bosch. Use is made of a material grade containing 65% glass fibre and mineral filler. The precision parts are produced in 8-cavity hot-run...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, Screw Pumps with Magnetic Couplings: Conveying Polymer Components
Auxiliaries Conveying Polymer Components Screw Pumps with Magnetic Couplings. Power transmission via non-contact magnetic couplings has undergone comparatively tumultuous growth over the last two decades. The article shows how, as these coupling systems increasingly become established, they can be used to exploit the optimisation potential in screw pumps. Christoph Schneider In conventional designs, the pumps are connected directly to the drive by means of a mechanical coupling (Fig.1). The p...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, Self Colouring of ABS: New Service Brand Supports
Market New Service Brand Supports Customers Self Colouring of ABS. BASF's new in-house coloration (self colouring) concept, Colorflexx, has survived its baptism of fire. New partners now strengthen the team. Initial market experience is helping to guide customers through the changeover. Sylvaine Metayer Florian Greger ABS is increasingly being subject to the laws that apply to a commodity material, i.e. intense competitive pressure and continually shrinking margins. This acrylonitrile/butadi...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, Software: 3D Injection Moulding Simulation with Pathlines
Software: 3D Injection Moulding Simulation with Pathlines An FE simulation program developed by the Institute for Plastics Processing (IKV) at Aachen University for 3D modelling of the injection moulding process on the basis of volume elements was expanded to include a module for calculating pathlines. Colour injected into the polymer melt provided experimental confirmation of the trajectory of the calculated pathlines. The insights gained made the 3D simulation software more efficient. Walt...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, Solder-resistant PBT
Solder-resistant PBT Radiation-crosslinking PBT for the SMD and 3D-MID Technology Uwe Kannengießer and Siegbert Stober, Marl/Germany The big advantage of crosslinkable polybutadiene terephthalate moulding compounds when it comes to new production techniques in electrical engineering is that they can withstand high temperatures over the short term. They are an inexpensive alternative to highly heat-resistant thermoplastics and can also be processed on the same tools as standard moulding com...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, Special Injection Moulding Processes in Practical Application
Special Injection Moulding Processes in Practical Application Applications in the Electronics, Automotive and Medical Sectors Walter Michaeli, Oliver Pfannschmidt and Andreas Franz, Aachen/Germany Automotive engineering, medical technology and electronics are the three markets making the biggest contribution to the development of special innovative injection moulding processes. The demands made by these sectors on the production process differ considerably. The special aspects are illustra...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, Strong Growth in Polyamides: Polyamide (PA)
Trend Report Engineering Plastics Polyamide (PA) Strong Growth in Polyamides. In automotive construction, the electrical/electronics sector and the packaging industry, users and developers particularly value the properties of polyamides. These include high mechanical and thermal stress resistance, excellent low-friction properties and abrasion resistance, good chemical stability, low stress-crack resistance and last but not least good electrical insulating behaviour. Detlev Joachimi The consu...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, Strong Upturn: Polycarbonate (PC)
Trend Report: Engineering Plastics Polycarbonate (PC) Strong Upturn. Following a period of subdued growth from 2001 to 2003, during which prices dropped dramatically, the global market for polycarbonate has been growing strongly since mid-2004. Thus, consumption is outstripping growth in capacity. Polycarbonate blends and film are becoming increasingly important, especially in the IT and automotive sectors. In 2004, some 15 million t of engineering thermoplastics were consumed worldwide. Arou...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, Structural RIM: Composite Materials for More Robust Automotive Parts
Structural RIM: Composite Materials for More Robust Automotive Parts An automated process for preforming glass mats and subsequent processing of preforms by the S-RIM process stands at the end of the long development chain that was necessary for the production of a lightweight, durable plastic pickup truck box. Antonio Cossolo For decades, the pickup truck has been the most widely used vehicle for agriculture, building and in chemical and other industrial plant. The floor is subject to sev...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, The Italian Plastics Industry
The Italian Plastics Industry The Dark Clouds are Moving On Michael Kömpf, Munich/Germany Although the Italian plastics industry was rather pessimistic in the first half of 1999, plastics processing and machine-making equipment enjoyed sales growth of roughly 5 % in the second half. This upswing has continued in the first quarter of this year. Overall, companies in the Italian plastics industry expect 2000 to be a good year. Both Italy's and Germany's gross domestic products grew...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, Thermosets
Thermosets Eva Bittmann, Herreth/Germany In the crosslinking plastics sector, alongside considerable restructuring and commercial setbacks, there have also been some successes. Demand in the GRP industry is high, even for specialty moulding materials. Material development is moving in the direction of resins with high heat and chemical resistance coupled with improved processability to ensure rapid production of parts in consistently high quality. In recent years, the thermosets market, li...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, Trends at the IAA: Shop Window for Innovations in the Motor Industry
International Motor Show Shop Window for Innovations in the Motor Industry Trends at the IAA. The mood of the exhibitors at this year's Frankfurt International Motor Show lay somewhere between hope and fear. The hope was that the many innovations can provide the necessary spark for the industry's spluttering engine. The exhibition also featured plenty of new developments on the materials side. Stefan Schlott 122 new vehicles – 80 of which were world premieres (front picture, Fig. 1) – ...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, Trends in Injection Moulding: Specialists Increasingly in Demand
Injection Moulding Specialists Increasingly in Demand Trends in Injection Moulding. The pressure on plastics processors to innovate comes from two directions: On the one front are the exigencies of streamlining and cost-cutting which force them to keep making technical advances and on the other are the new materials that continually open up more plastics applications, thereby raising the standards that processors and parts alike have to meet. This overview of applied technology reveals where p...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, Trends in Plastics Research
Trends in Plastics Research External Service Providers as the Third Column of Research and Development Jürgen Stebani, Kaufbeuren/Germany A need of new R&D services has developed in the plastics market with the increasing focus of OEMs on finishing and of plastics manufacturers on economic production of plastics. Some enterprises are already established in the market and are successfully closing the gaps in the area of plastics development between basic research, plastics producers and use...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, Triple Combination
Triple Combination Multi-component Injection Moulding of Thermoplastics, Elastomers and Thermosets Richard Herbst, Eching/Germany, and Friedrich Johannaber, Lohmar/Germany Special conditions will have to be met, if different plastics are to be combined by injection moulding. The latest processing technology employs stack moulds and handling units, for increasing profitability through high output rates from relatively small machines. Gripping and handling systems, combined with magazining f...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, “Competition Despite Cooperation“
“Competition Despite Cooperation“ Pepyn R. Dinandt talks about formulas to weather the crisis, the multi-brand strategy, and perspectives for the injection moulding machine business At a time of global structural changes in the plastics machinery manufacturing industry, and a change of ownership, Pepyn R. Dinandt has held the post of chairman of the managing board of the mpm Group for just over a year. Time to take stock. The interviewer was Kunststoffe plast europe editor Clemens Doriat. ...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, “It Depends on the Part”
“It Depends on the Part” Special Injection Moulding Processes in Automotive Engineering Helmut Potente, Hans-Peter Heim, Helmut Ridder and Elmar Kaiser, Paderborn/Germany A bewildering array of special injection moulding processes has become available. This article draws on practical examples to illustrate the range of processes currently used in automotive engineering. New applications will become possible through the appropriate combination of established process variants. The automoti...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-30, Plug-in Connectors: Selectively Metallisable Polymer Compounds
Compounds Selectively Metallisable Polymer Compounds Plug-in Connectors. In the field of injection-moulded interconnect devices, the demand for polymer compounds with the property of selective metallisation is increasing all the time. What is wanted are material combinations with differing metallisation behaviour. This essentially means that, using an electroless metallisation process, metal is deposited with good adhesion on one plastic component but not on the other. Susanne Michler Helmut...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-30, Retrofit on a Milling Machine: 19 Years’ Service and Better than New
Maintenance 19 Years’ Service and Better than New Retrofit on a Milling Machine. To avoid jeopardising profitable orders for milling work on PE-UHMW workpieces several meters long, the plant management had to decide whether to carry out a general overhaul of the machine, which was nearly 20 years old, or purchase a new unit. Reinhold Kuchenmeister Since 1986, Poly Hi Solidur Deutschland GmbH, Vreden/Germany, has been using the NC Triax 2 T CMS milling machine (manufacturer: C.M.S. S.p.A., Zogn...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-12-07, Interview: Successful Transition to the Next Generation
Interview Successful Transition to the Next Generation In January 2005, management of Arburg passed to the third generation of the Hehl family who own the company. Gerhard Gotzmann, editor-in-chief of Kunststoffe, spoke with Juliane Hehl (JH), in charge of marketing, Renate Keinath (RK), human resources, and Michael Hehl (MH), plant development and management spokesman, about the now-completed transition to the next generation and this family-owned company's recipe for success. Kunststof...

Kunststoffe international, 2006-01-15, Market Report: Clouds over Italy
Special Clouds over Italy Market Report. No good news from Italy: The domestic market for the plastics and rubber machinery downright decreased in 2005. Exports, however, which were only slightly lower than in the previous year, prevented worse news. The overall economic situation in Italy remains cloudy for the time being. Alessandro Veronesi A glance at the statistics of Federmacchine, an association of more than 2200 enterprises, incorporating ten business lines, shows the importance of ma...

Kunststoffe international, 2006-01-30, Plastics for Medical Technology: Long Life Ensured
Special. Long Life Ensured. Plastics for Medical Technology. In recent years, various raw material manufacturers have introduced new grades of plastics specifically tailored to applications in the medical segment. One aspect that is frequently overlooked, however, is that only if the formulation for these materials remains unchanged over a long period of time can the converter fully recoup the high investment needed for the particularly complex development of his products. Medical technology ...

Kunststoffe international, 2006-02-22, Cockpit Surfaces: Workplace and Living Room on Wheels
Interieur Workplace and Living Room on Wheels Cockpit Surfaces. The interior of today’s and tomorrow’s cars holds a great deal of potential for new surface materials and technologies. Depending on the comfort level, the spectrum extends from simple injection moulded applications to high-quality film techniques. Development of the required materials and processes must take into consideration function, aesthetics, safety, ecology and economics simultaneously. Bernhard Klein The interior of today...

Kunststoffe international, 2006-02-22, New Applications: Joining with Light
Joining. Joining with Light. New Applications. The use of lasers in production engineering for plastics parts is now an inherent feature of innovative production solutions. Thanks to constant further developments on both the hardware side and the process/materials side, laser technology is gaining an ever-broader range of applications. Matthias Poggel. Arnold Gillner. Ulrich Russek. The underlying basis for machining or processing materials with laser light depends on the way in which the ...

Kunststoffe international, 2006-02-23, Electronic: Saving Weight and Costs with Flat Conductors
Electronic Saving Weight and Costs with Flat Conductors Efficient Assembly Concepts. There is much potential for rationalisation in terms of costs and lightweight construction in the electric wiring of cars. In a joint project by FAPS and industrial partners, it was found, for example in car door modules, that automatic installation of flat cable metre goods can both reduce material costs and shorten process chains. Klaus Feldmann Andreas Kunze One approach that manufacturers can use to improv...

Kunststoffe international, 2006-04-24, Melamine Resin Foam: Lightweight, Versatile All-rounder
Foams Lightweight, Versatile All-rounder Melamine Resin Foam. A special melamine resin foam is continually finding new uses. With applications ranging from cleaning sponges to seat cushions and acoustic insulation components, this material has by no means exhausted its innovative potential. Horst Baumgartl Melamine resin foams are a relatively young material class in comparison with polyurethane and polystyrene foams but offer an exceptional property profile. They are flame-retardant, halogen-...

Kunststoffe international, 2006-04-25, Filler Dispersion: Ultrasonic Spectroscopy for In-Line Monitoring
PE103559 Extrusion Ultrasonic Spectroscopy for In-Line Monitoring Filler Dispersion. Ultrasonic spectroscopy is suitable for monitoring the extrusion process. The sound is scattered by the filler particles, so that the frequency-dependent attenuation spectra of the filler content can be used to study the particle size and the agglomeration. Chemometric methods are used for this. The measurement is particularly accurate when the wavelength of the sound is of the order of magnitude of the partic...

Kunststoffe international, 2006-07-04, Clean-room Compatible 32-Cavity Needle Valve: Making a Point
Tooling Making a Point Clean-room Compatible 32-Cavity Needle Valve. In developing an injection mould for the tips of darts, the designers reached the limits of current mould technology. The case study describes the mould and hot-runner concept of a 32-cavity application with extremely closely spaced cavities and completely clean-room-compatible electromagnetic valve actuation. Dirk Paulmann Demands by the medical and food industries for clean production are setting new standards for tooling ...

Kunststoffe international, 2006-08-06, Performance Show: Westphalian Extrusion Marathon
Market and Management. Westphalian Extrusion Marathon. Performance Show. The “Open House” held at Battenfeld Extrusionstechnik GmbH, Bad Oeynhausen, in June on the topic of irrigation pipe concluded a series of five events celebrating the company’s 25th anniversary in Europe. This article summarises the technologies that were exhibited. The first in this series of presentations already took place in autumn of last year as the so-called High-Solution pipe extrusion line with innovative dimensi...

Kunststoffe international, 2006-08-06, Trade Fair Report: Chinaplas – the Leading Asian Trade Fair of the Future?
Market and Management Chinaplas – the Leading Asian Trade Fair of the Future? Trade Fair Report. Chinese machinery suppliers can still not satisfy the domestic demand for rubber- and plastic-processing machines. A local presence is absolutely essential for anyone who wishes to succeed in this dynamic and growing market. At the Chinaplas that was held in Shanghai, Kunststoffe conducted an on-site investigation of how German-speaking machinery manufacturers are addressing this challenge. Petra ...

Kunststoffe international, 2006-09-27, Integrated Module: From the Interior Trim to the Door
Tooling From the Interior Trim to the Door Integrated Module. Suppliers to the automotive industry can thank the tool and mould making sector for a major advance in production. BMW’s decision to collaborate with the Magna Group’s Magna Closures and Intier Automotive Interiors UK in manufacturing the door module of the new Mini from glass-fibre-reinforced PP should not be regarded as just a substitution of sheet metal. The new door concept offers signifi-cant advantages to the design-loving and...

Kunststoffe international, 2006-10-30, Material Development: Polycarbonate Lenses for LED Lighting
E+E Technology. Polycarbonate Lenses for LED Lighting Martin Döbler, Frank Schiemann. Material Development. Light emitting diodes (LEDs) are regarded as the illuminants of the future. They must be fitted with customised lenses to optimise their luminance. For this purpose, polycarbonate is a suitable material. At present, the development of expertise in special materials and techniques is the focus of intensive effort. In the mid-1990s, LEDs capable of radiating white light were produced for...

Kunststoffe international, 2006-11-15, News
Demag Plastics Group: New Factory in China. Demag Plastics Machinery (Ningbo) Co. Ltd., which is a subsidiary company of Demag Plastics Group, Schwaig/Germany, has begun erecting a new factory building in Ningbo. This new production site will provide the space for assembly as well as mechanical processing, and significantly enhance the capacities available up to now. The new building is going to be ready for use by mid-2007. Under the direction of Stephan Greif, who is the experienced Vice Presi...

Kunststoffe international, 2006-11-28, Damage Limitation: Temperature Load During Drilling
Finishing. Temperature Load During Drilling. Christoph Kempmann, Florian Brinkel, Klaus Weinert. Damage Limitation. Drilling of reinforced and unreinforced thermoplastics generates high tool temperatures, which can melt and thermally damage the material around the edge of the drill hole. The depth of the damaged areas is directly proportional to the tool temperature and the thermal-penetration coefficient of the material. Low cutting speeds and high feed rates are beneficial. High-performanc...

Kunststoffe international, 2006-12-06, Metal Replacement: Liquid Crystal Polymer in Springform Baking Pan
High Performance Plastics Liquid Crystal Polymer in Springform Baking Pan Metal Replacement. In the 1980s, high-performance plastics such as liquid crystal polymers (LCP) were seen as the future of polymer materials. Today, because of their good flow properties and other advantages, LCP are used primarily for small, thin-walled precision parts in electronic applications. To extend use of the versatile property profile offered by these materials, innovations with LCP are also being systematically...

Kunststoffe international, 2007-01-22, Comparison of Articulated Arm and Linear Robots
Comparison of Articulated Arm and Linear Robots Projecting Automation tasks involving injection moulding machines can be solved with linear robots or articulated arm robots. Due to their different designs, both versions offer advantages and disadvantages. In many cases, when deciding for a particular system, it is helpful to analyse parts removal flexibility, working speed, working space, and programming outlay. Thomas Schnauffer Repeatedly, the project departments of injection moulding mach...

Kunststoffe international, 2007-01-22, System Solutions for the Automotive Industry
System Solutions for the Automotive Industry Premiere Husky Injection Molding Systems – the market leader in Europe in hot-runner technology and packaging – presented production systems for the automotive industry for four days. The internationally active group has thereby sent out a clear signal. Gerhard Gotzmann At its European headquarters in Dudelange/Luxembourg, Husky Injection Molding Systems held the first ever in-house trade fair focused on the automotive industry. Over 300 visitors ...

Kunststoffe international, 2007-03-15, Car Bodies from Natural Fibres and Vegetable Oils
Car Bodies from Natural Fibres and Vegetable Oils Renewable Resources It might be possible to develop a material system based on hemp fibre and vegetable oil resin that could be processed using common SMC moulding techniques. The first exterior auto body components have been produced and tested in order to demonstrate the technical possibilities of this material group. Jörg Müssig, Uwe Schönfeld, Hans-Bernhard von Buttlar, Meike Schmehl Since the mid-1990s, natural fibres have found a plac...

Kunststoffe international, 2007-04-17, Forming and Assembly in One Process
Forming and Assembly in One Process Assembly Injection Moulding Through choice of the combination of materials, the geometry of the part to be made and the injection moulding parameters the properties of the joints produced in assembly injection moulding can be selectively set: integral, form-fitting or frictional or mobile and flexible. Current research work shows the relationship between the boundary conditions of the process and the properties of the joint. Ernst Schmachtenberg, Marcus Sch...

Kunststoffe international, 2007-04-17, Surfaces without a Blemish
Surfaces without a Blemish Physical Foaming New polyamide grades for the MuCell process provide a homogeneous part surface with hardly any loss of mechanical properties. As a result, they meet the automotive industry’s current demand to use foamable materials for injection moulded exposed parts. Axel Zschau, Harald Seifert, Klaus Schwitzer The basic principles of chemical or physical foaming of plastics during injection moulding were worked out in the mid-1960s [1]. Nevertheless, it is onl...

Kunststoffe international, 2007-06-18, Expertise at the Micro-Level
Expertise at the Micro-Level Development of the Micro-technology Market They are everywhere, yet invisible. Although or even because micro-technological components are development-intensive products, they have penetrated all major sectors of industry. Micro-systems technology is forecast to enjoy continued strong growth. Christine Neuy Josefine Zucker An extract from the on-line encyclopaedia Wikipedia: "Micro-technology is technology with features near one millimetre (0.1-1000μm). ...

Kunststoffe international, 2007-06-18, Keeping an Eye on Costs
Keeping an Eye on Costs Supply Chain Management With innovative and highly efficient processing technologies involving reverse-integrated procedures for polycarbonate and polyurethane production, Bayer MaterialScience achieves considerable savings in processing costs and energy consumption in their global manufacturing network. Thanks to specific technology expertise, world-scale plants, and product innovations, the company considers itself well prepared for the future – in spite of rising com...

Kunststoffe international, 2007-07-18, Innovations for Medical Technology
Innovations for Medical Technology Technology Transfer The automotive and telecommunications industries are regarded as engines of innovation for the economy. Many of the developments from these industries, such as the injection molding of permanent magnets, or in-mold assembly, are increasingly also of interest for medical technology. Arno Rogalla, Dietmar Drummer, Manfred Riehl Inventions, technical advances or developments that are economically successful in a specific industry are called...

Kunststoffe international, 2007-08-14, A Route to Cost-effective Photovoltaic Technology
A Route to Cost-effective Photovoltaic Technology Polymer Solar Cells The most recent branch of photovoltaics research involves polymer solar cells based on organic conjugated functional polymers. With semiconductor layer thicknesses around one-thousandth the thickness of a human hair, these polymer solar cells represent the thinnest of all thin-layer technologies. With their comparatively low investment and production costs, they are highly attractive. Steffi Sensfuss et al. Photovoltai...

Kunststoffe international, 2007-08-14, Biggest Growth in Our History
"Biggest Growth in Our History" On Track for Success Engel reports the most successful year since its foundation. Besides achieving record sales, the injection molding machine manufacturer has realized one of the biggest projects in its history by opening its new large machine factory in Shanghai with an investment of EUR 25 million. With sales growth of ten percent, to 601 million euro, Engel continues to maintain its position in the European market." With these words, Dr. Pet...

Kunststoffe international, 2007-08-14, Focus on the Environment
Focus on the Environment Pre-K Event In early June, a number of material manufacturers held a press event in Belgium to show their latest achievements and present the results they have achieved and future goals. Common to all companies was a striving for sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions and materials. The plastics industry is currently surpassing itself with good reports and new record results. Financial year 2006, in particular, exceeded all expectations. However, a dark...

Kunststoffe international, 2007-08-14, New Structure Bears Fruit
New Structure Bears Fruit Market-oriented Reifenhäuser presented its new stucture. The builder of machines and systems based in Troisdorf, Germany, has turned its autonomous production units into a pool of small and flexible corporations. Strategic services will become the responsibility of the main holding company. At a pre-K2007 press conference, the management of the Reifenhäuser Group stated that their restructuring, begun in May 2005 and completed in July 2006, can now be considered a...

Kunststoffe international, 2007-09-19, 450 Parts under the Same Lid
450 Parts under the Same Lid Product Engineering Sanitary hygiene is not exactly a nice word to describe the comfort state-of-the-art bathroom design offers – not to mention its technical refinements. Consuming only the minimum of space, 450 individual parts were built into an integrated shower toilet. Nearly all of the parts had to be newly designed. Having introduced a Japanese production philosophy, the manufacturer was able to preserve the production site in Switzerland. Ralph Schreibe...

Kunststoffe international, 2007-09-19, Create Progress. Together!
Create Progress. Together! Ticona Under the slogan "Create progress. Together!", Ticona plans to focus on four central themes – People, Power, Safety and Life – in its exhibition at K 2007 in Düsseldorf, Germany. The polymer producer sees itself as being strategically positioned to meet the increasing demand for high-performance plastics in these areas. The company pointed this out at its pre-press conference for K 2007. Ticona has set a clear course for progress and growth. "T...

Kunststoffe international, 2007-09-19, For High-End Applications
For High-End Applications High-performance Plastics (Trade-fair-pre-report K 2007) Manufacturers of high-performance plastics are constantly searching for new applications that will justify the high price of their materials. At the same time, tailoring materials to a specific high-end application by blending or compounding aids cost efficiency. There is also a demand for low-cost processing. Faster, higher, further – the motto for competitive sports could also serve as a slogan for the hig...

Kunststoffe international, 2007-09-19, Polycarbonate Automotive Glazing
Polycarbonate Automotive Glazing Vast Substitution Potential Automotive glazing has been a topic of conversation in the plastics industry for a long time. In the interim some vehicles have been equipped with panes or transparent elements made from plastic, but these are still only niche applications. However, in the last ten years machinery and tooling technology has reached a stage where the ability to go into mass production is regarded as proven. Jochen Zwiesele Franz Summerer With 3....

Kunststoffe international, 2007-09-19, Rare Earth Metal Stabilizers: Appearance and Reality
Rare Earth Metal Stabilizers: Appearance and Reality PVC Stabilizers For some years now, samples of PVC stabilizers based on rare earth metals and their compounds have been turning up in Europe. They are being talked of as heavy-metal-free alternatives to the European systems based on calcium-zinc or organic substances. This article aims to present a realistic picture of rare earth metal stabilizers to set against the advantages that are often claimed for them as a result of inadequate infor...

Kunststoffe international, 2007-10-19, Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Keeps on Growing (Trade-fair-pre-report K 2007) Thanks to its excellent technical properties and continued increase in demand, PVC just keeps on growing worldwide. An annual growth rate of 5% is being predicted through 2012. Contributing especially to this are its good price-performance ratio and meanwhile generally acknowledged environmental compatibility. Josef Ertl, Jürgen Luderer and Oliver Mieden, Ismaning, Germany Worldwide demand for polymers continues its ...

Kunststoffe international, 2007-10-21, 50th Anniversary of Co-Rotating Screws
50th Anniversary of Co-Rotating Screws Compounding For Coperion Werner & Pfleiderer, the decision made 50 years ago to continue developing the ZSK twin-screw compounder together with Bayer was the most important since the founding of the company in the year 1879. Today almost 100% of the company’s activities are concentrated on this machine system. Werner Wiedmann Counting all sizes – from the smallest ZSK 18 laboratory machine to the largest ZSK 380 production machine, including the Coper...

Kunststoffe international, 2007-10-21, Expandable Polystyrene (EPS)
Expandable Polystyrene (EPS) Strong Growth in Consumption (Trade-fair-pre-report K 2007) The global market for expandable polystyrene (EPS) has been growing at above average rates for years, mainly driven by growth in the Chinese market. But Europe, too, has significantly increased its demand in recent years. The main contribution is made by the thermal insulation of buildings, particularly during the renovation of old buildings to reduce energy consumption. Wolfgang Glenz Expandable polys...

Kunststoffe international, 2007-10-21, Liquid Crystal Polymers (LCPs)
Liquid Crystal Polymers (LCPs) Demand Exceeds Capacity (Trade-fair-pre-report K 2007) When LCPs were introduced in the mid-1980s, sales were tied to the fortunes of the electrical and electronics sector. The economy nosedived in 2002, but the global market recovered from 2003 on, and has grown strongly ever since. Demand for the polymer is now estimated to be greater than capacity, not least because new application areas are being found for it. Jörg Schottek Chemically, liquid crystal poly...

Kunststoffe international, 2007-10-21, Material Handling for High-Quality Tube Extrusion
Material Handling for High-Quality Tube Extrusion Complete Granulate Supply As part of production expansion at Linhardt Metallwarenfabrik GmbH & Co. KG in Hambrücken, Germany, Werner Koch Maschinentechnik GmbH of Ispringen, Germany, has modernized the entire polymer granulate supply system. A new central conveyor unit with process visualization links external and internal silos using Koch’s patented Navigator material management system with dosing and mixing systems on extrusion machines. ...

Kunststoffe international, 2007-10-21, Polyaryletherketones (PAEK)
Polyaryletherketones (PAEK) Increasing Demand (Trade-fair-pre-report K 2007) Worldwide demand for PAEK continues to increase at an annual rate of approx. 15%. In addition to Victrex, the world’s largest producer of PAEK, two new suppliers, Degussa and Solvay, have appeared on the scene to develop additional applications. Wolfgang Reimer and Horst Sandner Back in 1981, British ICI launched two linear aromatic semi-crystalline thermoplastics, polyetheretherketone (PEEK) and polyetherketone (...

Kunststoffe international, 2007-10-21, Polyarylsulfones (PSU, PESU, PPSU)
Polyarylsulfones (PSU, PESU, PPSU) Above-Average Growth in Consumption (Trade-fair-pre-report K 2007) Polyarylsulfones are amorphous high-temperature (HT) plastics, a group that also includes polyetherimide (PEI). Polysulfones and PEI compete on the market in the majority of applications. With worldwide consumption currently running at 50,000t/a, amorphous HT thermoplastics may be a small product group, but they have an exceptional range of properties. Wolfgang Glenz The product group know...

Kunststoffe international, 2007-10-21, Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)
Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Continued Growth (Trade-fair-pre-report K 2007) With a 6.5% share of the world plastics market, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) has been one of the standard polymers for a long time. Every year, its worldwide consumption has been growing between 7 and 10% (excluding the fiber sector). The most important applications for PET molding compounds involve packaging (bottles and films). In the past, these high growth rates led to expansion of production capacities, c...

Kunststoffe international, 2007-10-21, Polyoxymethylene (POM)
Polyoxymethylene (POM) Demand Rising with Use (Trade-fair-pre-report K 2007) In 2006, demand for POM in Germany grew almost twice as fast in percentage terms as the demand for plastics overall. Polyoxymethylene is not only in demand on the German market, however, but is especially sought-after in Asia too. Worldwide, demand levels are influenced by the chief POM applications in the different regions. Bernhard Forschler and Christian Geiser The market for polyoxymethylene (POM; also: polyacet...

Kunststoffe international, 2007-10-21, Polystyrene (PS)
Polystyrene (PS) Consumption Stagnating (Trade-fair-pre-report K 2007) Polystyrene producers continue to talk of a “difficult market situation.” The global annual market volume has been stagnant at around 11 million t since 2002. New application areas in coming years should ensure some growth in consumption, albeit slight (approx. 1.8% p.a.). Annual consumption is expected to reach 12.2 million t by 2011. Wolfgang Glenz Growth rates for polystyrene have failed to exceed growth in gross nat...

Kunststoffe international, 2007-10-21, Styrene Copolymers (ABS, SAN, ASA, MABS)
Styrene Copolymers (ABS, SAN, ASA, MABS) Changing Markets (Trade-fair-pre-report K 2007) The market for the styrene copolymers SAN, ABS and the related resins has undergone a stormy development in recent years: ABS has finally achieved "commodity" status. The increased competition has, however, not only lead to a consolidation among suppliers, but also to product diversification. New responses to market challenges have also been developed even among the specialty resins, which include ...

Kunststoffe international, 2007-11-21, A Shining Example
A Shining Example Function Integration An LED lamp manufactured entirely by multi-component injection molding provides an excellent example. Integrating various functions such as lenses and circuit path as well as inserting the illuminant and resistance in the mold saves working steps and improves quality by shortening the process and tolerance chain. Dietmar Drummer Roland Dörfler Optical technologies play a starring role in many areas of daily life: Light technology that ensures better...

Kunststoffe international, 2007-11-21, Outer Body Skin with an Integrated Antenna
Outer Body Skin with an Integrated Antenna Functional Integration The technological advances achieved in high-frequency technology are making radar units increasingly attractive as driver assistant systems. Using plastic film, it would be possible to position an antenna at any desired point of the vehicle body. Michael Fuchs, Andreas Kilian, Zaneta Brocka, Ernst Schmachtenberg, Lorenz-Peter Schmidt Mobility and individuality are some of society’s most important needs today, and functional...

Kunststoffe international, 2007-12-17, Unlimited Versatility and Design
Unlimited Versatility and Design Polyurethanes As a tailor-made material, polyurethane showed everything it had to offer at K 2007. The innovations on display extended from PU with biologically-degradable raw material components – which ultimately reduce the CO2 potential and are thus sparing on resources – right through to exceptional designs. And the designers and developers are still far from having realized all their dreams. Bernhard Klein The joint focus of all the plastics producers ...

Kunststoffe international, 2008-01-15, Small Particles – Big Effect
Small Particles – Big Effect Profile Expansion Particularly easy-flow PBT grades refined with nanoparticles have proved successful for the injection molding of filigree, complex-structured moldings and are constantly acquiring new fields of application. New variants are now rounding off this growing product family. At the same time, a similar trend is also emerging in the polyamide product group. Andreas Eipper Reinhard Stransky Polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) is one of the engineering pl...

Kunststoffe international, 2008-02-29, Integrated Folding Transparency
Integrated Folding Transparency Polycarbonate Lamella Roofs Bayer Material Science AG as a raw material supplier works independently on innovative thought provoking concepts for the future of automobiles. A current example of this is the prototype of a completely transparent, highly integrated and lightweight polycarbonate lamella roof. It is a completely new design extending the range of conventional sliding and folding roofs made out of PVC and textiles. In the light of climate change and ...

Kunststoffe international, 2008-04-14, Tougher than Titanium
Tougher than Titanium The GKV Annual Report Germany’s polymer processing industry achieved record sales of 53 billion EUR in 2007. In spite of this impressive statistic, some serious problems were addressed at the GKV’s annual press conference – nor did it lack familiar verbal abuse for governmental policy. Even so, the outlook for the current year is bright. Clemens Doriat Polymer processing in Germany can look back on 2007 as a successful year. Despite ever stiffer global competition we ...

Kunststoffe international, 2008-05-10, Targeted Assessment of Polypropylene Properties
Targeted Assessment of Polypropylene Properties Material Diagnostics Targeted optimization of the properties of polypropylene-based material groups opens up new application areas in the automotive and household appliances industry, which were previously the exclusive domain of high-performance plastics or metals. In particular the instrumented Charpy impact test permits structure-related conclusions for a material, which can be used to characterize its properties. Beate Langer Christian Bi...

Kunststoffe international, 2008-05-10, Today’s Ideas – Tomorrow’s Technologies
Today’s Ideas – Tomorrow’s Technologies IKV Colloquium The 24th International Plastics Engineering Colloquium held at the IKV Aachen, Germany, took place under the motto "Today’s Ideas - Tomorrow’s Technologies". Many of the research results and recent developments presented are ready to be put into industrial practice. Ulla Köhne One highlight of the event was doubtless the plenary lecture "Medical technology – joint research with industry as a driving force for innovation (…a...

Kunststoffe international, 2008-06-16, But it Does Move!
But it Does Move! Controlling the Melt Front One effective and simple way to control parts quality in injection molding is to measure cavity temperature. The precise position of the melt is always known – which is not the case when cavity pressure is measured – and this brings a number of advantages with it. Christopherus Bader Today's economic strictures are creating big problems for processors. Automating the injection molding process is often the key to saving on material, shortenin...

Kunststoffe international, 2008-06-16, Prospects for Micromechatronic Systems
Prospects for Micromechatronic Systems Molded Interconnect Devices (MID) The design freedom, the potential for rationalization and environmental compatibility of three-dimensional electronic subassemblies allow and in fact encourage the implementation of highly integrated systems. Especially in the field of plastics technology material modifications can help to overcome thermal application limits and can contribute to low-cost solutions. Klaus Feldmann Christian Goth Florian Schüssler Grow...

Kunststoffe international, 2008-06-16, RFID Transponder with 3-D Antenna
RFID Transponder with 3-D Antenna Logistics Laser Direct Structuring (LDS) is an innovative process for producing three-dimensional injection molded circuit carriers, also called Molded Interconnect Devices or MIDs. An RFID transponder with a 3-D antenna is a prime example. The innovation here: in contrast to film-based RFID labels, reading from and writing to is possible even in the vicinity of metals and liquids. Ralf Jantz RFID transponders (Radio Frequency Identification) are viewed as ...

Kunststoffe international, 2008-06-16, Sensor-Equipped Automobile "Thinks" Along with Driver
Sensor-Equipped Automobile "Thinks" Along with Driver High-tech Polymers It's like squaring the circle: Modern automobiles are expected to provide greater safety, comfort or performance, but at the same time cost less, be more fuel-efficient and have lower emissions. In order to satisfy these apparently contradictory requirements, high-tech polymers are increasingly becoming the interconnecting link. Henning Küll Countless assistance, communications and safety systems characteri...

Kunststoffe international, 2008-06-16, We're Moving towards Specialties
"We're Moving towards Specialties" Dr. Willy Hoven-Nievelstein talks about paths to success in the engineering plastics business Which challenges are manufacturers of engineering plastics facing today? How important are innovations for the future success of a company? Gudrun Klein, who is responsible for materials and applications at Kunststoffe, discusses these and other current topics in an exclusive interview with Dr. Willy Hoven-Nievelstein, Group Vice President of Engineering ...

Kunststoffe international, 2008-07-15, Unlimited Combination
Only producers who operate economically will be able to remain competitive in high-wage countries. That not only includes ongoing development of their own products and familiar production techniques, but also adopting innovative manufacturing concepts and further training of employees. Recently, there has been an increase in the number of complex applications that require a selective combination of different functionalities in one part. Standard processes are hardly able to meet these requiremen...

Kunststoffe international, 2008-08-14, Off to New Frontiers
Natural fiber-reinforced polymers (NFRP) have been found in cars for years. Via wood-plastics composites (WPC), new paths are opening up in the mass market for innovative biomaterials. This is a branch with innovative actors, lots of action and double-digit growth rates, even though the market is still relatively small at approx. 350,000 t (including biopolymers; Table 1) in all of Europe and taking all applications into consideration. NFRP: From Cars to Everyday Products...

Kunststoffe international, 2008-08-14, Tailor-made Suit for a New Packaging Idea
The selection of a polymer for a given task depends primarily on the requirements on the properties of the finished product. Economic issues are an increasingly important factor. Cost-saving processing properties are equally important as inexpensive raw materials. Commercially readily available plastics with a wide spectrum of properties are becoming increasingly important. At the same time portfolio streamlining and elimination of specialties give rise to uncertainty in the selection of a polym...

Kunststoffe international, 2008-09-23, Exploiting Opportunities in Lightweight Construction
With their excellent properties fiber-reinforced polymers are becoming increasingly popular and displacing classic materials. Technical polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fibers are extremely interesting for the development of thermoplastic composite materials. They can not only replace glass fibers in composites , but also open up significant new potential for the development of a new class of cost effective materials with exceptional impact absorption that are also suitable for applications with ...

Kunststoffe international, 2008-09-23, From Development through to Application
Plastics are superior to metals in a large number of electronics/electrical engineering applications. Their advantages include their low weight, their chemical resistance and their high integration potential. The aim of employing plastics in ever-new electronic applications is thus prompting the constant further development of polymers which are also capable of providing demanding electrical properties [1, 2]. One hybrid material that has been developed by the Institute of Plastics Processing &#...

Kunststoffe international, 2008-09-23, Growing Up while Remaining Small
Whoever was born in 1968 will be celebrating a birthday this year. Dr. Boy GmbH & Co is not an exception – even though the revolution that took place 40 years ago was not political in nature, but rather was based on an engineering idea (see the interview on the next page in this regard). The company that according to its own information is the world’s leading manufacturer of injection molding machines in the clamping force range below 1,000 kN and which has shipped abou...

Kunststoffe international, 2008-09-23, Injection Molding Machines Become “Green”
After some turbulent months, the injection molding machine branch appears to have settled down again. However, the dark clouds on the economic horizon are already ing their shadow from a distance and seem to indicate that the concentration process involving machine manufacturers is not yet at its end. The most recent fusions and acquisitions mean that two old and well-known companies will be appearing at the Fakuma in new garb – namely, Wittmann Battenfeld GmbH and the Demag Plastics Grou...

Kunststoffe international, 2008-09-23, Tailor-Made for Complex Applications
The increased use of hot runners even with large numbers of cavities and complex applications has pushed the development of compact multi-cavity nozzles and “hot sides” with optimized tip geometry. New machine series are aimed at leaving minimum gate marks even with fast cycles. On the temperature control front, the trend is toward adapting to specific requirements of individual customers to which the builders respond with modular design and highly configurable control and cooling ...

Kunststoffe international, 2008-09-23, Withstanding the Heat
More than 100 people came to Marienberg Fortress in Würzburg, Germany, on June 5 and 6, to take part in the second meeting on plastics in electrics and electronics applications. While dealing with a wide range of topics, the meeting once again resumed the discussions along the value chain – starting from plastics and additives, via machines and components, up to the finished product. Together with Süddeutsches Kunststoff-Zentrum (SKZ), the companies A. Schulmann, BAS...

Kunststoffe international, 2008-10-17, Polyamides (PA)
The class of polyamide materials has undergone strong developments in recent years. Among the most mentionable ones are the introduction of very free-flowing products to the market and improved heat resistance of polyamides. Other highlights include hydrolysis-stabilized materials and the triumphant success of numerical development methods which have left mere virtual crashtests far behind them in the meantime. Here we have been seeing a tendency toward combining high-grade products with sophist...

Kunststoffe international, 2008-10-17, Polyaryletherketones (PAEKs)
Apioneer in PAEK highperformance polymers, Victrex was formed in 1993 through a management buy-out from ICI. ICI had already launched two lineararomatic thermoplastics – polyetheretherketone (PEEK) and polyetherketone (PEK) – in 1981. Victrex plc, which is listed on the London Stock Exchange, today has production facilities in the UK and sales organizations in Europe, America, the Asia-Pacific region and Japan. Its range of over 40 products has become highly complex: various fill...

Kunststoffe international, 2008-10-17, Polybutylene Terephthalate (PBT)
High dimensional stability, low water absorption and excellent electrical insulation behavior, high heat distortion resistance and very good long term thermal resistance are the tremendous strengths with which PBT has proved itself in many applications. Worldwide capacity for pure PBT grew by more than 100,000 metric tons between 2005 and 2007. According to estimates by Lanxess it will be more than one million tons by 2010. A large part of the PBT is processed to PBT compounds, for example it is...

Kunststoffe international, 2008-10-17, Polyphenylene Sulfide (PPS)
Polyphenylene sulfide is a semicrystalline thermoplastic polymer formed by a reaction between two industrial chemicals (pdichlorobenzene and sodiumsulfur compound). In addition to extreme chemical and temperature resistance, as well as inherent flame resistance, PPS can be processed by all the same methods as any other traditional thermoplastic material. Based on the manufacturing method, however, we distinguish between crosslinked and linear PPS. When cross-linked PPS is produced, the c...

Kunststoffe international, 2008-10-17, Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
Worldwide demand for PVC reached 35.3 million t in 2007 – 5.1% higher than the year before. Since 2004, it has been climbing at an average annual rate of 5.2%. This worldwide growth was driven mainly by continuing strong demand in Asia, especially in China. However, strong Chinese demand has been accompanied by the rapidly expanding construction of local PVC production sites. In 2007, China already accounted for over 30% of the world’s PVC production capacity of approx. 41 million ...

Kunststoffe international, 2008-10-17, Thermosets
The market for thermoset raw materials after some fierce movements between the mid-1990s and the beginning of the new millennium has now been significantly consolidated. Only comparatively few global suppliers are still operating, these being essentially DSM, Reichhold and Ashland for unsaturated polyester resins, Dow, Huntsman and Hexion in the epoxy resin business while the latter company and Sumitomo Bakelite are prominently competing in the field of thermoset molding compounds. Close collab...

Kunststoffe international, 2008-11-20, System with Unlimited Adhesion
The biggest advantage of magnetic clamping systems is that the mechanical mold/machine-interface does not need to be matched by adding standard platens with clamps at fixed positions. Round molds can be just as easily clamped as well as those with rectangular or square platens. This benefit maximizes machine utilization and eases production planning, especially for contract molders. But the individual magnetic clamping systems are by no means identical. Suppliers work with different concepts and...

Kunststoffe international, 2008-11-20, The Future Has only just Begun
In automobile construction polycarbonate glazing is establishing itself as a high performance alternative to glass. This can be seen for instance in the roof module of the Mercedes-Benz GL and the large panorama roof of the smart fortwo. The very latest example is the removable roof module of the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport. In order to further increase its activities in this area six months ago Bayer MaterialScience brought together its glazing operations under the “BayVision” name. This ex...

Kunststoffe international, 2009-04-16, All Systems Go for White Light
LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) that emit white light are expected to experience strong growth. They use less energy than incandescent or gas discharge lamps and have a much longer service life. They have great application potential for example in street lighting, building illumination, advertising displays and liquid crystal displays. Automobile lighting already uses LEDs. For example the headlamps of some Toyota Lexus LS600h and Audi R8 models are already equipped with them. This new technology ...

Kunststoffe international, 2009-04-16, Gear for Executives and Engineers
During the week prior to Ash Wednesday, the 180 participants at the traditional Baden-Baden conference of injection molders were greeted by Ansgar Jaeger, Chairman of the VDI Expert Committee on Injection Molding, with the remark that they were convening in “un-rosy economic” times. Even many of the exhibitors, who can reach their target audience with little scatter loss at this meeting of the branch, made themselves felt by their absence. The hosts expressed their satisfaction that at least one...

Kunststoffe international, 2009-06-16, Laser Produces Conductive Structures
Global innovation in the form of a new polypropylene (PP) based compound allows injection molded interconnect devices (MID) to be produced by an altogether new method and much more simply than before. Developed by Peter Putsch, the new compound provides the novel feature of a carbon-based conductivity component that is already embedded in the ready-to-mold material. The previously required metallization step is thus eliminated altogether, so that MIDs can now be produced in just two manufacturin...

Kunststoffe international, 2009-07-16, Accustomed to Change
Plastics manufacturers, like other sectors, are currently facing an unparalleled financial and economic crisis. PlasticsEurope Deutschland e.V. (Association of the German Plastics Industry) reported on the situation at an economic press conference in Frankfurt, Germany. In addition, there were structural crises in individual industries, such as the automotive sector, the most important customer sector. Moreover, the investment climate is marked by extreme uncertainty. Leading economic institutes...

Kunststoffe international, 2009-07-16, Changing Supplier after Fifteen Years of CAD History
To reconstruct an environment developed over many years in accordance with in-ho use requirements on a modern hardware and software platform, to save all the old data together with their history and in doing so to program important, hitherto lacking functionalities – this was really an impossible project in the short time available. Gerhard Bartel, Technical Information Systems IT Manager at Hennecke GmbH, Sankt Augustin, Germany, is in retrospect almost a little astonished by the breakthrough t...

Kunststoffe international, 2009-10-14, Engineering Plastics from Renewably Sourced Materials
Can bio-plastics be used for sophisticated technological applications? Can polymers made from renewably sourced materials be processed on standard machines? Do plastics from renewably sourced materials really have a better ecobalance? Questions like these are often asked by potential users for this new class of materials. This article will provide answers to these and other questions while explaining basic concepts in the field of ''''plastics from renewably sourced materials''''. Explanation of...

Kunststoffe international, 2009-10-14, High-Tech and Tradition
Kunststoffe: Mr. Rucks, your company is now 165 years old – what’s the special thing about your enterprise? Rucks: One special thing certainly is that, until today, the company has been managed by the owner, almost without interruption. However, there was a short break from 1972 to 1990, when the enterprise was owned by the German Democratic Republic (GDR), with my father yet being the general director. Of course, the firm was not ''''owner-managed'''' then, but at least the generation of th...

Kunststoffe international, 2009-10-14, On Mixing and Kneading
Numerous machine manufacturers supply compounding extruders. These include not only the versatile, efficient and well-known twin-screw extruders, but alternatively configured units also play an increasingly significant role in special applications. Compounding Extruders for Different Tasks Buss AG, Pratteln, Switzerland, has now been advancing cokneader technology for 60 years. Through improvements in mechanical engineering and process-related adaptations the field of application of the tried an...

Kunststoffe international, 2009-11-19, Flow Control with Valves
Until about the mid-1980s, as described in [1] to [4] and elsewhere, sandwich injection molding was known for being particularly useful for recycling end-of-consumer materials. It enables multi-layered thick-wall parts of good surface quality to be molded in one shot. These parts consist of a thick-wall core, molded with sprue or scrap regrind or B-grade material, covered by an extremely thin skin made from A-grade material. The applications have a wall thickness of 5 to 15 mm with chemical blow...