Efficiency, resilience key messages for Arburg at Fakuma | Plastics News

Juliane Hehl from Arburg at Fakuma 2024 in Friedrichshafen, Germany.

The Fakuma trade show in Friedrichshafen, Germany, is a favorite platform for the machine builders at Arburg, which is based a couple hours south in Lossburg, Germany.

Arburg will have 18 machines on exhibit.

The 101-year-old family-run company will focus on machine efficiency and process innovations at the 29th annual Fakuma event, according to Arburg Managing Director Juliane Hehl, who oversees global marketing and business development.

"Arburg's 1,340-square-meter stand reflects just how important the trade fair is to us," Hehl told Plastics News in an email.

Eleven machines will be at the company booth and seven machines will be at partner booths with products for the medical, personal care, leisure and additive manufacturing sectors.

"Besides new machine and process technology, the importance of automation, digitalization and, above all, very pragmatic issues around resilience will continue to grow," Hehl said.

She also told PN about developments related to "paper pearls" — recycled paper fibers combined with bio-based and biodegradable plastic — and a shatterproof and sustainable alternative to glass and disposable items.

Q: Why is Arburg also shining a spotlight on paper injection molding? Is it more a novelty exhibit, or have you noticed demand moving in this direction?

Hehl: With this innovative process, we are demonstrating how standard Allrounders can be used to manufacture sustainable injection molded products. Instead of conventional plastic granules, so-called paper pearls are processed.

We have been working with paper and cardboard manufacturer Model to advance paper injection molding and develop these paper pearls. The main component is recycled paper fibers that are combined with bio-based and biodegradable plastic to make them injection moldable.

The first customers from the furniture and cosmetics industries and from the household goods and toy sectors have already recognized the potential of this innovative process for themselves.

At Fakuma 2024, an electric Allrounder 370 A will be producing positioning tools for furniture connectors by way of example. During this process, the aXw Control RecyclatePilot integrated into the Gestica control system evens out variations from one material or batch to the next and ensures a stable shot weight. After use, the product can be easily disposed of in a garden compost heap.

Q: The Allrounder 720 E Golden Electric injection molding machine is finally making its German debut after its world premiere at NPE2024 in the United States. Which features and capabilities are most attractive to buyers?

Hehl: With a clamping force of 310 tons (2,800 kN), our new large Allrounder 720 E Golden Electric has extended the range of the electric series of the same name upwards. And with a width of just 6 feet (1,848 millimeters), the new electric machine is one of the narrowest on the market. It features an optimized installation area and combines high component quality with low investment costs and short delivery times.

An Allrounder 630 A from the electric high-performance Alldrive series with a clamping force of 280 tons (2,500 kN) will also be on display for the first time in its new, slim design. Measuring around 1,800 millimeters, this machine is about 20 percent narrower than the clamp design. The exhibit will be producing high-quality transparent drinking tumblers made of co-polyester containing 50 per cent recycled material. These tumblers, which can be customized inline using hot stamping, are a shatterproof and sustainable alternative to glass and disposable items.

Q: What is Arburg doing to make investing in machinery more affordable for processors at a time when they are faced with higher labor, energy and material costs?

Hehl: Many plastics processors are currently working on making their injection molding plants fit for the future and competitive — in other words, increasing their resilience. We have brought together a wealth of knowledge on this topic at arburgSOLUTIONworld, where trade visitors can get personalized advice and answers to pressing questions about the future, such as efficiency, sustainability and the shortage of skilled workers. We will also be providing valuable suggestions and specific tips, including on possible funding.

Our "Action Plan: Energy" includes energy advice, machine updates and consumption measurements as well as the Gestica control system with its intelligent assistance and pilot functions, are useful components for saving valuable resources and energy in existing machine fleets.

Q: There will be a new exhibition wall with an integrated transparent machine. What will it show visitors?

Hehl: Our new exhibition wall is where Arburg's digital products and services will be brought to life. The main topics are connectivity and after-sales services. The centerpiece is a "transparent" injection molding machine — or to be more precise, an Allrounder 270 A with no safety enclosure, allowing a glimpse of exciting details. Among the features on show will be the electric drive components from AMKmotion and the IIoT gateway for IT cross-linking. In addition, four monitor stations will be used to demonstrate the benefits and added value of the ALS host computer system, the arburgXworld customer portal that can be cross-linked with this, the Arburg Remote Service ARS and Arburg's after-sales services. These also include training, retrofitting and repairs.

Q: What kind of machine learning or artificial intelligence is helping Arburg customers?

Hehl: Arburg has been working intensively on artificial intelligence (AI) for a long time, for example with regard to smart controls and self-optimizing machines. We want to make processes more intelligent for our customers and ensure efficient, high-quality production. Based on current knowledge, AI is certainly also a useful tool for countering the shortage of skilled workers. Our new, AI-supported askARBURG app, for example, contains very easy-to-access, comprehensive injection molding knowledge from Arburg and can answer specific questions about machines and processes.

Q: What's the mood like at Arburg? What gives you cause for optimism?

Hehl: We are looking to the future with confidence and communicate this to the market. In these turbulent and dynamic times, we are presenting ourselves as a reliable and innovative provider of complete solutions. Proximity to our customers is our top priority.

At Fakuma, we will be showcasing everything our customers need to manufacture plastic parts efficiently and successfully now and in the future, from 3D printing and turnkey systems to the economical production of molded parts for mass-market items. We look forward to many fruitful and stimulating discussions.

Q: How will Arburg and its trainees participate in the new Careers Friday event?

Hehl: The "mold your future" Careers Friday, which is taking place across the entire trade fair and which we are even extending to include Saturday, is also intended to help people plan for the future.

There will be plenty for school and university students and career starters to see and do at our stand, including fascinating exhibits, a competition and a small single-lever injection molding machine that visitors can operate themselves. Around 30 trainees will be on hand to help us with this. We want to show the fantastic opportunities that the plastics industry and Arburg in particular can offer in terms of training, studying, and starting a career.

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