Page 60 - Plastics News February 2024

IN THE NEWS

The common goal: more sustainability
ed air ducts for a German brand name able to sound waves and electromag-
OEM in Smyrna, Tennessee netic radiation, and this makes them
indispensable for autonomous driv-
Whether new drivetrain solutions or
autonomous driving, these trends are ing." Autonomous driving is all about
connectivity, communication between
he new Two-stage process by fundamentally changing the demands the vehicles themselves, and with oth-
TENGEL separates plasticising on mobility, requiring completely er public and private transport users
from injection. This opens up new op- novel material and manufacturing so- and the environment. The sensors
portunities for recycling of long glass lutions in some cases. This gives rise used for this purpose rely on electro-
fibre reinforced parts to huge opportunities for the injection magnetic and acoustic approaches.
moulding industry. "Plastics will play
From automotive through aviation to an even more significant role in future Distance sensors, for example, work
urban mobility, industry experts and mobility than they do today", as Franz with ultrasound, while adaptive cruise
visionaries were discussing challenges Füreder, Business Unit Vice President control works with radar, and night vi-
and trends, new market opportunities Automotive & Mobility at ENGEL was sion assistance systems with infrared.
and technological possibilities at the quick to point out. "Polymer materi- "Plastics let all of these waves
ENGEL Mobility Days 2023 – sup- through, which is why they have al-
ported by KTM Technologies – in Aus- ready replaced aluminium and steel
tria in mid-June. The two-day event in automotive front and rear ends,"
with top ranking keynote speakers said Fischer. "Autonomous driving is a
and future-oriented machine exhibits massive opportunity for plastic injec-
combined and expanded the previous tion moulding. More efficient than any
ENGEL conferences trend.scaut and other method of plastics processing,
Lightweight Future Day to create a injection moulding helps to combine
new networking event. sensor systems and electronic fea-
"Let's spend two days completely re- In the ENGEL organomelt process, tures with a visually appealing design."
thinking mobility," said host Dr. Stefan Valeo Front End Modules manufac- Among other processes, ENGEL
Engleder, CEO of the ENGEL Group, tures front end carriers with integrat- developed its clearmelt technology
welcoming the more than 500 guests ed air ducts for a German brand name for this purpose; clearmelt is a two-
to the Design Center in Linz at the OEM in Smyrna, Tennessee component process that combines in-
start of the ENGEL Mobility Days mould decoration (IMD) with polyu-
2023. Mobility is becoming increas- rethane flood-coating. "Flood-coating
ingly diverse and this is not only re- als are lightweight materials in them- with polyurethane in the mould allows
flected in the list of participants but selves, and they allow for conserva- for a perfectly repeatable, smooth
also in the conference programme. tive use of energy and raw materials. surface with a uniform wall thick-
The keynotes coveed individual trans- They can be processed in a very ef- ness," said Fischer: "This predestines
port by car, (motor)bike or e-scooter, ficient way in injection moulding, and the technology for integrating optical
but also public transport by bus, train, this makes innovative technologies sensors."
people mover or air cab, as well as accessible to the mass market." The
aerospace and logistics mobility solu- ENGEL Mobility Days 2023 show- BMW in Landshut uses this technolog-
tions from the classic truck to drones. cased numerous examples of this. ical basis to produce the "kidney" pan-
There is one thing which unites all Autonomous driving promotes els for the BMW iX electric vehicle in
sectors of mobility, and that is making the use of plastics a cleanroom setup. Once the radiator
mobility more sustainable. grille, this characteristic design feature
Michael Fischer, Head of Business of all BMW models has taken on a new
In the ENGEL organomelt process, Development Technology at ENGEL, role following electrification of the
Valeo Front End Modules manufac- highlighted another advantage of the drivetrains. The kidney-shaped pan-
tures front end carriers with integrat- material group: "Plastics are perme- els protect a series of sensors for as-

62 PLASTICS NEWS February 2024