ENGEL at Medtec Europe 2013

Maximum product safety, highest precision and performance, reliable reproducibility, and lowest energy consumption: At Medtec Europe from February 26 to 28, 2013, in Stuttgart, ENGEL AUSTRIA demonstrates how the continuously increasing demands of medical technology manufacturers can be cost-effectively met with innovative system solutions. In Hall 1, Stand I20, the Austrian injection molding machine manufacturer and automation expert Autoinjector parts are produced using two-component technology.

"Medical device manufacturers are increasingly paying attention to unit costs. Process integration offers great opportunities in this regard, which is why multi-component applications are gaining significant importance in this industry," emphasizes Christoph Lhota, Head of ENGEL's Medical Business Unit. Highly integrated and automated production cells reduce both investment and operating costs, typically require a much smaller footprint, eliminate the need for intermediate storage, and in many applications, process stability and the quality of end products can be improved by combining previously separate work steps.

During Medtec, an ENGEL e-motion 80H/80W/180 T WP combi in cleanroom design processes ABS and TPE in one work step using a servo-electric 16+16-cavity mold. ENGEL realizes this exhibit together with system partners, including Hack Formenbau, SHL (Scandinavian Health), Piovan, Max Petek Cleanroom Technology, and Stäubli.

Robot integration opens new savings potential

The parts handling is performed by a fully integrated ENGEL easix multi-axis industrial robot controlled directly by the injection molding machine. Through control integration, additional efficiency potentials are unlocked for the user. The robot's movement commands are integrated into the machine control, so the machine operator no longer needs to learn two different control systems. Many tasks that traditionally require a programmer can now be performed by the machine operator, increasing the availability of the production system. Since the integrated robot has access to the machine parameters, the interaction between handling and machine movements can be optimized. For example, the robot can start removing parts even before the mold is fully opened, shortening the cycle time.
With the trend toward higher productivity and efficiency of injection molding processes, the requirements for the performance of processing machines are also increasing. Over the past years, ENGEL has consistently oriented its fully electric ENGEL e-motion injection molding machines toward high performance. Cycle times of well under 3 seconds and injection speeds of over 500 mm per second are achievable with fully electric ENGEL machines. To better tailor the e-motion series to the individual needs of plastics processors, ENGEL has expanded the series in the mid-range segment. New additions include machines with 160 and 220 tons of clamping force.

Online process control with a clever idea

Another innovation is iQ weight control, ENGEL's online process control for injection molding machines with electric injection units. The patented software detects fluctuations in environmental conditions and raw materials and compensates for them within the same shot. iQ weight control analyzes the pressure profile over the screw position in real-time during the injection process and compares the measurements with a reference cycle. Based on this, new process parameters are calculated that immediately detect fluctuations in the melt volume and material viscosity – the two most important factors affecting the quality of the molded parts. Deviations from target values automatically trigger adjustments of the relevant process parameters, thereby preventing impacts on mold filling.

GMP-compliant tray server reduces contamination risk

During Medtec, ENGEL also demonstrates its cleanroom expertise once again. The production cell is enclosed as a cleanroom. The integrated tray server was specifically developed by ENGEL for use in cleanrooms, as ejector and conveyor systems are often identified as sources of contamination. To minimize abrasion and particle load, ENGEL uses exclusively GMP-compliant materials for trays and conveyor belts and avoids deflections. The trays are used to transfer the injection-molded parts in a position-oriented manner to a subsequent assembly machine.

ENGEL med.con on February 25 in Wurmberg

Already one day before the opening of Medtec, ENGEL hosts the industry meeting for medical technology experts. On February 25, 2013, ENGEL med.con takes place in Wurmberg. Customers, partners, and interested parties are invited to learn about innovative machine and automation technology, process technologies, and system solutions at the new ENGEL Germany Technology Forum Stuttgart, discuss trends, and exchange ideas with other experts and users. The ENGEL med.con is not just a specialized conference but also provides practical know-how. In the large technical center of the new ENGEL branch, several machine exhibits demonstrate how efficiency potentials in medical technology can be optimally exploited.