Engel at Fakuma with solutions focusing on efficiency, digitalisation and sustainability

At Fakuma 2024, Engel is presenting its latest innovations, focusing on efficiency, digitalisation, and sustainability. The spotlight is on highly precise injection moulding machines that stand out for their enhanced material and energy efficiency, perfectly suited to modern production environments. The company is offering future-proof solutions aimed at securing long-term competitiveness for businesses. The Austrian manufacturer's exhibition menu is rich.

With a clamping force of 5,000 kN, the fully electric e-mac 500 injection moulding machine combines high performance with energy efficiency and a compact design. Featuring a HIGH-performance clamping drive and the iQ motion control digital assistant, the machine achieves faster cycle times and reduces energy consumption by up to 30% compared to hybrid or hydraulic machines. The e-mac 500 also offers versatile expansion packages, making it ideal for energy-intensive production. It will be showcased at the trade fair producing 4-litre containers using in-mould labelling.

Engel’s tie-bar-less e-victory 100 is optimised for high-precision liquid silicone rubber (LSR) applications. Using a 256-cavity mould, it achieves a 12-second cycle time while maintaining consistent part quality. Engel’s tie-bar-less technology maximises platen use and optimises clamping force, making the e-victory series efficient and precise. Visitors can watch live demonstrations of how the e-victory 100 enhances production performance and meets the highest standards for flexibility and quality.

At Fakuma, Engel is unveiling the latest generation of its Wintec t-win machines, with more than 20 new options. By the end of 2024, additional options, such as proportional valves for core pulls and servo valves for injection, will further increase the t-win series’ flexibility. In a live demonstration, the t-win 5500-4900 will produce battery box lids and back panels from ABS.

The company is also showcasing the tie-bar-less victory 160, which will produce fittings at the trade fair. The machine features a short cycle time of around 40 seconds and a larger platen for quick mould changes, reducing downtime and maximising productivity. The integrated digital setup assistant supports operators during tool changes, minimising errors and boosting overall equipment effectiveness (OEE). Live demonstrations at the fair will highlight the machine’s rapid tool-changing capabilities.

In response to labour shortages and rising energy costs, Engel offers future-oriented solutions to secure businesses’ long-term competitiveness for its customers. At the “inject 4.0” booth, it will demonstrate how digital assistance systems optimise production processes from design to serial production and service. These systems offer comprehensive monitoring, control, and automatic process optimisation with real-time feedback. Particularly beneficial during labour shortages, key highlights include the setup assistant and the AI-powered Engel spare parts app, which simplifies part identification and replacement through photographs.

At the “Expert Corner for Automation” the Austrian manufacturer will present its viper linear robots, easix articulated robots, and conveyor systems. These systems seamlessly integrate into ENGEL controls to optimise processes. Synchronized movements between the robots and injection moulding machines reduce cycle times and simplify setup. The viper 20 dual robot and bin-picking cell set new standards for efficiency and flexibility, while the viper 4 excels in ease of use and energy efficiency. Visitors to Fakuma can program the robots and experience the technologies live.

The “Expert Corner Technologies & Large Machines” will focus on Engel’s polyurethane flooding technology, also known as Engel clearmelt or “in-mould painting”. This innovative method applies a high-quality polyurethane coating directly in the mould, creating a ready-to-use, durable surface that speeds up production and reduces costs. It also improves the mechanical and chemical resistance of parts, enhancing their durability. Engel’s duo 5500 combi M, the world’s largest technical centre machine with a clamping force of 55,000 kN, allows customers to test and implement these technologies efficiently. The two-platen machine is ideal for large-format parts, offering high stability, precision, and flexibility. This reinforces Engel’s leading position in the plastics industry, showing how companies can optimise production processes and set new benchmarks.

Finally, other expert corners will showcase Engel’s solutions in plasticising, temperature control, sustainability, and system control, all designed to increase safety and productivity across various applications. With its cutting-edge technologies and exhibits, Engel demonstrates how intelligent solutions and well-thought-out engineering can enhance efficiency and flexibility in plastics processing, ultimately boosting customer competitiveness.