Extrusion International 5-2018

14 Extrusion International 5/2018 INDUSTRY NEWS Combined Joining and Forming Process of Additively Manufactured Thermoplastic Parts „ Complex functionalised parts based on fibre-reinforced ther- moplastics can nowadays be produced with integratedmanufac- turing processes in short cycle times. However, the economical production of prototypes or small series has so far not been suc- cessful because of the high mould costs involved. For this reason, the Institute of Plastics Processing at RWTH Aachen University has, as part of a joint BMBF project called “LightFlex”, linked up with other project partners to develop an innovative, photonic- based production process for increased flexibility and geometri- cal complexity in prototype and small-series manufacture. The core development of the innovative production process is the combined joining and forming process of a previously additively manufactured polyamide functional structurewith a thermoplas- tic composite. While the thermoplastic component – a composite sheet, for example – is heated under an infrared lamp, the sur- face of the additively manufactured structures is heated with a 1 kW laser from Laserline GmbH, Mühlheim-Kärlich. Thanks to the combination of the laser with a 3D laser scan head provided by Arges GmbHofWackersdorf, the focus of the laser can be shifted in all directions inline. Only in this way is it possible to ensure that definedmelting of the surface takes place, evenwith uneven and complex geometries. After the successful integration of the laser and laser scan head into the thermoforming line at IKV, the research team is now oc- cupiedwith the interplay of the different process parameters and their effects on the quality of the end-product. Of interest here, for example, is the influence of lamp temperature, heating-up time and start of heating, as well as the laser output, processing speed and number of passes. This process makes it possible for the first time to economically produce individual fibre-reinforced parts even in small series. Institute of Plastics Processing (IKV) in Industry and the Skilled Crafts at RWTH Aachen University www.ikv-aachen.de ecoFITTOM ® , innovative, efficient and productive technology „ Molecor, in its continuous process of Research and De- velopment has developed and exclusive and highly ef- ficient industrial system for the manufacture of PVC-O fittings, with which the company has been capable of manufacturing a product with better mechanical proper- ties. The technology used for the manufacturing of the ecoFIT- TOM ® PVC-O fittings is based on the technology used for manufacturing TOM ® pipes. It consists of a Genuine Air System that ensures higher efficiency and control of the molecular orientation parameters throughout the entire process. In this way, potential risks are eliminated and complete security and reliability of the technology are guaranteed. Energy used in the manufacturing process of ecoFITTOM ® is applied to the fitting by a specific air distribution that allows the optimization of the resources, since it uses the lowest amount of energy possible obtaining the maxi- mum performance. In addition to this, the system allows the use of repro- cessed material in the manufacturing of the PVC-O fit- tings ecoFITTOM ® which are subjected to exhaustive quality tests once the production process is finished. This project has received recognition from the European Union for innovation in the use of innovative materials and technologies for manufacturing and processing. Integration of the laser into existing plant engineering at IKV (Photo: IKV) www.molecor.com Molecor