18th Fakuma 2006 – Highly Practical and Problem-Oriented

Fakuma (www.fakuma-messe.de) is an important and indispensable platform for the plastics industry, and has been for 25 years now. Amongst the exhibitors – 1402 companies have registered thus far– emphasis is placed upon machinery, systems, peripheral equipment and tooling, as well as raw materials and auxiliary materials.

The international trade fair is well known for providing a true comparison of various technologies and products in the field of plastics processing within a manageable framework – with regard to both time and space. It facilitates selection of the most suitable machines, products and process technologies, and presents information regarding modified materials, as well as practical hardware and software solutions, for example as required for automation. More than any other event this autumn, the Fakuma will provide a practical overview of the current state-of-the-art in the field of plastics processing.

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Internationally Accepted …
… A fact that the relevant companies are well aware of. After all, 1402 companies have already registered for participation at this year’s event in Friedrichshafen. They’ll exhibit their products on roughly 720,000 square feet of gross exhibition floor space and, according to their registration documents, will emphasise the following focal points: machinery and systems (652 trade fair commodities) peripheral devices (907), tooling (393), raw materials and auxiliary materials (1013), to mention alone the most important areas. Just under 300 of the exhibitors will come from outside of Germany, i.e. more than 25%. They represent 28 countries right on up to the USA and Taiwan – an indicator of how well the Fakuma is accepted all over the world.

4% Growth in Production
The fact that the event will take place at a time when, according to figures issued by the German Association of Machinery and Equipment Manufacturers, manufacturers of plastic and rubber processing machines are anticipating 4% growth in production for the current year is positive as well. After a decline last year, in particular orders from foreign countries are once again on the rise. And this will benefit the Fakuma as well, because not only numerous exhibitors, but rather lots of visitors will also come from foreign countries – and Austria, Switzerland, Italy and France deserve special mention in this respect.

Fewer Assembly Steps
Everyone is looking for techniques and solutions which, for example, promote increased productivity. This is made possible through the use of multi-component technologies in injection moulding, a topic which is addressed by nearly all of the injection moulding machine manufacturers who exhibit at Fakuma. Depending upon the product, assembly steps can be eliminated and various materials and colours can be combined, resulting in new products. And supplementary equipment makes it possible to retrofit existing standard machines such that they can be used for multi-component processing.

Reduced Weight per Part
In the meantime, foaming processes are attracting more and more interest in the area of injection moulding. They make it possible to reduce part weights, improve dimensional stability and decrease cycle times. Similar advantages are offered by commonly used internal gas assisted moulding processes, as well water injection technology which is still quite new. And plenty of information is available regarding these topics, as well as standard solutions, at the Fakuma – after all, information is half the business. System partners are at the height of fashion too, in particular where planning for complex production systems is involved. A persuasive advantage: a single, central contact person. And machinery manufacturers, for example, are meeting this challenge by collaborating with tool makers and suppliers of peripheral equipment.

Emphasis on Performance
Above all performance is being stressed in the field of extrusion. Beyond this, current developments are helping to reduce material consumption and to decrease mould changeover times. For example, systems are available which make it possible to adjust the diameter of manufactured tubing without interrupting the production process. These and other extrusion topics will presented at the Fakuma, above all in pavilion A6.

Fakuma 2006, Friedrichshafen/Germany, 17.-21.10.2006

P.E. Schall GmbH Messeunternehmen, Frickenhausen

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