Page 46 - Plastics News September 2017

PRODUCT NEWS

Engel to showcase new technologies at Fakuma

njection molding machine manufacturer and technologies semi-fi nished products using the Engel organomelt process.
Ideveloper Engel (Schwertberg, Austria) offers a The integrated, automated system concept is based
timely preview of what it will be highlighting at Composites on a v-duo press that Engel developed specifi cally for
Europe 2017 next month and at Fakuma in October. Engel fi ber-reinforced composite applications as well as multi-
component processes with fi ber preforms. The v-duo is a
showcased its recent milestone projects at Composites
comparatively compact, energy-effi cient machine that
Europe in Stuttgart, Germany, held during Sept. 19 to 21.
enables cost-effi cient manufacturing solutions. Its vertical
“Integrated processes require integrated solutions, and
clamping unit is accessible from all four sides, instead of
Engel supplies tailor-made manufacturing cells for [fi ber-
just two, which simplifi es automation, explained Engel.
reinforced plastic] lightweight structures from a single
“The automotive industry has shown great interest in
this highly-integrated thermoplastic-based process,” said
Egger. “We are now prepared to collaborate with the
industry to start component development.”

Orbis offers new fire-
retardant plastic for pallets

rbis Corp., a maker of pallets and reusable
Opackaging, has launched Proliant, a fire-
retardant plastic material for use in select plastic
pallets.

Orbis said Proliant is approved by Factory Mutual
source,” said the company. Technologies range from high- Research Corp. in meeting fi re-retardant ratings
pressure resin transfer molding to reactive thermoplastic equivalent to wood pallets. The material also is
processes. “New high-effi ciency composite processes pave
the way for large-scale production,” Engel added.
With its many years of experience in injection molding and
associated automation, Engel has developed cost-effi cient
technologies to make the production of large quantities
of fi ber-reinforced components feasible. At its Centre
for Lightweight Composite Technologies in St. Valentin,
Austria, Engel collaborates with customers, partners and
research institutions to accelerate the industrialization
of new processes.“Especially in lightweight composite compliant with the Food and Drug Administration,
engineering, it is vital for us as the machine tool giving the necessary compliance for food and
manufacturer to collaborate closely with OEMs and tier beverage processors that require a fi re-retardant
suppliers,” said Peter Egger, Division Manager of the pallet.
center. “It guarantees that we keep our fi ngers constantly
Orbis of Oconomowoc, Wis., first offered fire-
on the pulse, steer the right path and customize our
machines and systems to meet the specifi c requirements retardant pallets in 2005, but now offers about 19
of industries such as automotive, teletronics or sporting different designs of fi re-retardant plastic pallets, all
goods.” available in proliant. Proliant also is halogen- and
At Composites Europe, Engel highlighted the processing and bromine-free, and is fully recyclable.
functionality of continuous-fi ber-reinforced thermoplastic

Plastics News | September 2017 46