Networking in the new branch

Process integration and intelligent assistance systems are key to combining high quality with efficiency and cost-effectiveness. The production of interdental cleaners during med.con in Hannover made this clearly evident. In small groups, ENGEL presented the exhibit. (Image: Engel)

inject 4.0, ENGEL's response to the challenges of digitalization and networking, forms a core theme in the new interactive technology center of ENGEL in Hanover. The participants of med.con were able to try out many of ENGEL's software solutions themselves. (Image: Engel)

Uncompromising cleanliness, maximum product safety, economic efficiency: More than 50 medical experts discussed current and future challenges in medical technology at the med.con medical technology conference at ENGEL Germany in Hanover at the end of November, sharing their experiences. On the sidelines of lectures and live demonstrations, guests also took the opportunity to explore the renovated rooms and the new interactive technology center of the branch. ENGEL had only recently reopened the site in May of this year after extensive renovations.

"The ENGEL med.con has established itself as a networking event for plastics processors in medical technology; this has been confirmed once again by the latest edition of the event series," says Christopher Vitz, Managing Director of ENGEL Germany at the Hanover location, about the great interest from processors. Not only from the sales area of the branch, but also from neighboring regions, the program attracted medical technology experts to Hanover. "Our customers and partners use this platform to inform themselves about trends, innovative products, and procedures," confirms Christoph Lhota, Head of the Medical Business Unit at ENGEL. "The feedback from participants is very positive, especially because many suggestions can be directly implemented in practice."

Early interdisciplinary collaboration is the key to success

The lectures focused on requirements and trends, innovative products, the opportunities of digitalization, and above all, integrated system solutions, because close cooperation among all companies early in a project stage increasingly proves to be a success factor. Only when all components—from raw materials, tools, injection molding machines, automation, and peripherals to processing technology—are precisely coordinated from the start can quality and efficiency potentials be fully exploited, and product designs adjusted if necessary — as clearly demonstrated by the examples presented. For instance, in a recent project, the number of plastic components of an inhaler was reduced compared to the original design, saving multiple processing steps and tools, thereby significantly lowering project costs.

To deliver system solutions tailored to the specific requirements of processors from a single source, ENGEL works closely with partner companies, some of whom participated as speakers, including IGS Gebo Jagema from the Netherlands and Hekuma from Eching, Germany. Prof. Dr. Thomas Seul, Prorector for Research and Transfer at Schmalkalden University of Applied Sciences and President of the German Tool and Mold Makers Association (VDWF), opened the conference with his keynote speech, and Dr. Jochen Heinz from Transcoject provided practical insights with his experience report. In Neumünster, the family-owned company produces pharmaceutical packaging and application systems for human, dental, and veterinary medicine, including highly demanding pre-filled syringes made from cyclic polyolefins.

With Industry 4.0 to even more stable processes

A special highlight of med.con 2017 in Hanover was the live production of interdental cleaners in a highly integrated and fully automated manufacturing cell. The technology from system partners ENGEL, Hekuma, and Hack Formenbau makes it possible to produce interdental brushes with up to 500 bristles in a single shot using single-component injection molding, inline inspection, and ready-for-sale packaging.

Filling eight cavities with extremely delicate structures in a total shot weight of only 1.93 grams places very high demands on precision and process consistency. The fully electric drive technology of the ENGEL e-motion injection molding machine makes a significant contribution here. To additionally compensate for fluctuations in environmental conditions and raw materials, intelligent assistance systems from ENGEL's inject 4.0 program are used. Participants at med.con could watch live on the machine's display how, for example, iQ weight control automatically adjusts the switching point, injection profile, and back pressure shot by shot to the current conditions, proactively preventing rejects. "Industry 4.0 allows us to make manufacturing even more stable, secure, and predictable," emphasizes Christoph Lhota. "Especially for medical technology, very great opportunities are opening up here." Under the umbrella term inject 4.0, ENGEL already offers a range of software products and services for digitalization and networking of manufacturing processes. Participants at med.con showed great interest in these new possibilities, as many companies are still new to Industry 4.0."

To vividly and practically convey both the opportunities and challenges of these developments, ENGEL Germany dedicates a fixed focus to the topic of inject 4.0 in its new interactive technology center in Hanover. "We invite our customers to experience the inject 4.0 products live here at our branch, independently of events and seminars," says Christopher Vitz. "Since the reopening of our site, we have almost daily visitors. The technical center is now large enough for different machine types and robots, so we can offer each customer a suitable demonstration environment."

The technical center, as well as the event and seminar area, benefit especially from the additional space in Hanover. With the expansion of the site, ENGEL has prepared itself for the future requirements of its customers and for further growth in the German market.