Deutsch Engel Injection Molding Machines, in cooperation with the Austrian Lightweight Composites Technology Center, will install a two-component injection molding system at the Aachen Lightweight Integrated Production Center at the University of Aachen. The installation of this new machine will be completed in 2019.
The new equipment will be used for new research and development activities to explore more efficient use of materials and is the key to mass production of lightweight components. Research will focus on multi-material systems, continuous processes, process chains and self-optimizing processes. Engel injection molding The system will help develop innovative combinations of established fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) processes and new individual processes to increase resource efficiency in lightweight production.
Dr. Michael Emonts, Managing Director of AZL Lightweight Integrated Production Center (AZL) said: 'This new injection molding system provides us as an expert in lightweight production technology and works with injection molding experts from the Plastics Processing Institute. Opportunity to build a hybrid process for industrial lightweight applications. The system will expand our existing equipment at the AZL Technology Center and will serve as an important platform for lightweight production research.'
Dr. Engel's Lightweight Composites Technology Center said: 'AZL provides excellent conditions for industrial-related research activities in the field of lightweight composites because of its strong interdisciplinary approach. It benefits from great infrastructure and The cooperation of well-known institutions of the University of Ningbo is looking forward to cooperating with AZL to develop an efficient mass production process for lightweight composite materials.
AZL Aachen Co., Ltd., in cooperation with the Institute of Plastics Processing at RWTH Aachen University, started a joint market and technology study on high-performance SMC from June 2017. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the next generation of SMC. Application potential in the industry.
All companies in the entire SMC value chain, as well as companies interested in entering the SMC market, can be invited to join. SMC (sheet molding compound) has proven to be the first choice to replace metals for automotive parts many years ago. One of the options. Further weight reduction and a significant reduction in CO2 emissions prompted the market to raise demand for the next generation of HP-SMC.
HP-SMC is made from short and continuous fiber reinforcements (including carbon and fiberglass) and custom resin compounds, which produce 'high-performance components at the same time cost significantly lower than traditional continuous fibers. The enhancements' offer great potential.
However, compared to other materials, the application of HP-SMC depends on the large interdependence between materials and processes, which brings both challenges and opportunities. Therefore, AZL's joint market for HP-SMC and Technical research aims to deepen understanding of these interdependencies by providing solutions to 'SMC applications and technologies', laying the groundwork for the development of design guidelines, targeted development and opening up new business opportunities.
The AZL Working Group was established in 2016 and now has more than 60 participants, all from industry sectors, including automotive companies such as Audi, BMW, Ford, Hyundai, MAN, Toyota and Volkswagen. The 12-month period The research project covers all participants across the value chain, allowing participants to benefit from the knowledge gained by all the research partners and experts involved in the project.