KraussMaffei: Solutions for efficiency, cost savings and productivity

KraussMaffei’s BluePower concept bundles a wide choice of high-caliber products and services aimed at reducing consumption of energy and other resources, and optimizing productivity in compounding and processing plastics. Two major topics are KraussMaffei’s energy-efficient AX series machines and the company’s integrated production concepts, for example, injection molding plus assembly in a SpinForm swivel-platen machine. Customers profit from documented zero-defect production when all peripherals are integrated in the manufacturing cell. Another development allows customers fast, protected access – from virtually anywhere in the world – to machine data from all their production plants. With this data at their fingertips, they can make informed responses to changing situations.

Optimizing unit costs in injection molding
“We give our customers strong and effective support as they strive to optimize unit costs and increase energy, process and resource efficiency. We work on the premise that the best solution is the one that addresses a customer’s specific production situation and takes account of their entire value-adding chain,” explains Dr. Karlheinz Bourdon, head of KraussMaffei’s Injection Molding Machinery division. “Our solutions range from application-specific machine configurations and highly automated manufacturing cells to complex production systems integrating different processes.” At the Fakuma, a CX 35-180 is combined with integrated automation and a packaging unit to create a universal injection molding cell which can be tooled up to produce different products. A transparent process and fast error diagnosis are among the benefits for processors.

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The growing importance of premium surfaces
In many industries, component surface quality as part of the overall design is a decisive success factor. “Our combined-process solutions, such as ColorForm or SkinForm, are capable of producing parts with first-class surfaces up to 30% cheaper,” emphasizes Frank Peters, head of Reaction Process Machinery at KraussMaffei. The company supplies solutions for any and every surface specification, including complete, single-vendor manufacturing cells. “Our customers profit from the comparatively low capital investment and manufacturing costs compared with more conventional multi-stage processes,” said Peters.

Comprehensive know-how in fiber composites for weight savings
Fiber composite technology now plays a key role in the automotive industry and ongoing focus on weight reduction means that the plastic content in road vehicles is set to increase. “With our long experience of manufacturing processes for fiber composite parts, we’re already seen as an effective partner over the whole lifetime of a project,” says Peters. “From feasibility studies to post-mold processing, automotive manufacturers and their components suppliers value our know-how and there’s strong and growing interest in our complete consulting, production and service packages.” KraussMaffei is unique in the industry with its extensive portfolio of processes for manufacturing composite parts using thermoplastics and thermosets reinforced with glass, carbon or plastic fibers.

Rolling out production successes
Strongly rising demand for insulation is driving growth in sales of KraussMaffei systems for continuous production of insulated panels for the construction industry. “We’re looking at orders for our continuous double-belt systems from Germany, Eastern Europe and Asia that have reached the double digit million mark,” confirms Peters. “This growth confirms the market’s value for KraussMaffei’s expertise in classic PU reaction processes for insulation applications”. The company’s double-belt systems are used to produce insulating panels, sandwich elements for insulating panels and sectional garage doors – all manufactured in high volumes in a continuous process.

More Information: www.kraussmaffei.com

Fakuma 2011, Friedrichshafen, 18.-22.10.2011, Hall A7, St. 7303

KraussMaffei Technologies GmbH, München

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