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ZERO REJECTS AND RECYLATE MATERIALS AS EASY AS aMC

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Sumitomo (SHI) Demag has launched a new digital feature integrated into the company’s IntElect 2 series. Automatically adapting to the injection moulding process, activeMeltControl can compensate for melt viscosity variations in nearly all applications and materials, including recycled plastics. Resulting in significantly reduced reject rates.

Recently unveiled at the company’s European roadshow, activeMeltControl (aMC) has been described as a game changing feature by material and processing experts.  Automatically adapting to the injection moulding process, aMC continually monitors for variations in holding pressure and switch over position. Once a parameter is identified as drifting towards the tolerance limits that have been set by the user, aMC automatically amends the set parameters to compensate for the variation. The adjustment bandwidth is also defined by the processor. 

The background for this development, which Sumitomo (SHI) Demag has vigorously pursued over the past four years, is driven by changing quality of plastics due to fewer virgin materials and more recyclable content. “Many customers have requested a digital solution to compensate for these variations when manufacturing precision parts using our highly efficient all-electric machines. That’s why we introduced aMC as a completely independent software module that complements our established active modules,” explains the company’s Product Manager for Digital Solutions, Dr. Thomas Schilling.

“With aMC, we can now automatically adapt to melt viscosity variations in nearly all applications and materials. These variations may be due to batch fluctuations, recyclables, regrind, drying differences, dosing variations, or the use of additional additives,” highlights Area Sales Manager Ashlee Gough. For example, variations in the melt flow index (MFI) in 100% recycled material can now be corrected by the software. Meaning that the process stability is now comparable to a process that uses virgin material.  

This offers processors greater manufacturing flexibility, allowing for the use of a broader range of post-consumer and post-industrial recycled material types. Even customers with defined processing references benefit, as aMC instantly addresses any variability to maintain absolute processing precision and stability.

 “Some of the challenges of running a reprocessed material in comparison to a virgin polymer material is these need to be manually adapted and played with during processing. The introduction of technologies like aMC allows processors to monitor the melt flow of material throughout a batch which enables adjustments to be made automatically rather than being manually controlled by a setter,” notes Isy Ferguson, Managing Director at Hardie Polymers 

Another advantage of aMC is it only sets the limits for holding pressure and switch over position. This means it can be used in all industries, including those where there are defined tolerances for validated process parameters that cannot be exceeded or overridden by machine operators. “In terms of production stability, this innovation can make a big difference to productivity and processing continuity,” assures Ashlee.

Achieving more consistent part weights within a processing batch means that the ROI can be exceptionally fast, claims Gough.  Additional benefits include better process consistency, longer machine uptime, and reduced scrap. All of which contribute to greater productivity and sustainability.

Activated with a single click, aMC is a fully automated control process that is integrated into the Sumitomo (SHI) Demag IntElect machine’s control system. It is available as an optional extra on company’s newest IntElect 2 machine series. It can also be retrofitted to older IntElect 2 machines too.

The new activeMeltControl feature Is now available to UK and Ireland customers with IntElect 2 machines to compensate for viscosity fluctuations and backflow barrier leaks .

Interplas returns for biggest show in 21 years! Celebrating 75 years of connecting the UK plastics industry

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Celebrating 75 years of connecting the UK plastics industry Interplas returns for biggest show for 21 years!

The UK’s No.1 plastics event, Interplas is set to take place at the end of the month, on 26-28th
September at the NEC, Birmingham.

This year’s event, a celebration of 75 years of Interplas and its forerunners, will see over 530 exhibitors
present on the show floor, alongside a host of conference sessions and features designed to elevate
UK manufacturing’s knowledge of the latest plastics technology from around the globe.

Just some of the exhibitors at the show include Arburg, Engel, Krauss Maffei, Wittmann Battenfeld,
Sepro, Mouldshop, TH Plastics, Bole, Summit Systems, Borche, Haitian, Motan Colortronic, Simoldes,
UK Extrusion, Negri Bossi, Billion, Piovan, Bausano, Ultra Polymers, Hasco, Distrupol, CMS, Fanuc, Albis,
Snetor, BMB Spa, Campetella, United Polymers and many more.

Duncan Wood, CEO of Rapid News Group, the organiser of Interplas, commented: “The £27 billion UK
plastics industry comes to Interplas to do business and with the largest number of exhibitors on the
show since 2002, Interplas 2023 will be an edition that befits a 75th birthday celebration.”
“There is a growing buzz across the industry, on social and in conversations that tells you Interplas is
around the corner. The show floor is going to be packed with innovation and visitor registration is
flying along well ahead of previous editions, if you are involved in any way in the plastics industry then
you have to be at the NEC at the end of the month!’

Ian Taylor, Managing Director for Conventions & Exhibitions at the NEC Group, said: “Interplas was one
of our very first shows at the NEC when we opened in 1976, so we’re delighted to see it go from
strength to strength as the UK’s definitive and leading plastics event.
“We’d like to wish everyone connected to Interplas a very happy 75th year, as we welcome this year’s
event to the NEC on 26th September.

“We know the event will facilitate valuable trading opportunities for hundreds of exhibiting
businesses, as the plastics industry comes together to showcase new products, machines and ideas.”
Exciting features visitors will gain access to include:

Interplas Insights Conference

A world-class conference programme will take place at the show presenting a wide range of themes
and challenges facing the plastics industry. With a new purpose-built theatre, top-calibre speakers will
take to the stage to present the latest in recycling, materials, digitalisation, regulation and much more.
There will also be an extensive line-up of interactive sessions during the conference, offering
attendees the opportunity to engage with influential speakers. Many of these sessions are led by
leading associations from the plastics industry. View the full conference programme here.

The Introducing Stage

This stage will host an exciting programme of inspiring speakers across the plastics sector. These
sessions are perfect for attendees wanting to find out the latest cutting-edge innovations in moulding
and forming, materials, automation, software, and inspection, to name just a few.

Knowledge Pavilion

The Knowledge Pavilion provides a rare opportunity for visitors to information-gather and network
among some of the most influential organisations in the British plastics industry. Representatives from
various groups, including RECOUP, the Polymer Machinery Manufacturers and Distributors Association
(PMMDA) and the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3), will be on-hand to discuss R&D,
training, regulation and the future.

75@75

The plastics industry has undergone several transformations over the past 75 years. Throughout this
remarkable journey, certain individuals from the UK plastics community have been impactful in driving
change and innovation. To coincide with the 75th anniversary edition of Interplas, the organisers have
invited nominations of individuals who have made a significant impact to the UK plastics industry. The
75 names will be announced at Interplas 2023, followed by an evening of celebrations.

All-in-One Digital Platform

For 2023, visitors and exhibitors will get access to the new event hub and app, designed to improve
event experience and plan time efficiently. This smart technology will allow attendees to connect and
engage with the community, get personal recommendations using AI technology, and also schedule 1-
2-1 meetings with exhibitors and speakers.

Philip Law, Director – General of the British Plastics Federation, commented: “Interplas is the national
showcase for the UK plastics industry. If you’re serious about doing plastics in the UK, you’ve got to be
here.”

“The BPF is excited to be both exhibiting and moderating talks at the 75th anniversary of Interplas – a
show we have had a long relationship with. The BPF is celebrating an equivalent milestone this
year. It is our 90th anniversary. We encourage our members and all those with an interest in the BPF’s
activities to come and visit us during the show.” Philip Law, Director General, British Plastics
Federation.”

Thousands of companies have already registered for the event, such as JLR, McAlpine & Co,
Recipharm, L’Oréal, Dyson, Nissan, Aldi, BD, Kohler Mira, Caterpillar, Bentley Motors, Amcor, Tata
Motors, LEVC, Aqualisa and Lear Corporation

You can register for Interplas at interplasuk.com.

MOULDFLO appoint FERROMATIK UK as partner for UK and Ireland

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MOULDFLO the Danish based Flow Monitoring and Mould Validation experts appoint FERROMATIK UK as the official Sales and Service partner for the UK and Ireland.

Danish based flow monitoring and mould validation specialists ‘MOULDFLO’ have today officially announced Chesterfield based plastic processing equipment and ancillary supplier
FERROMATIK UK as its official Sales and Service partner for the UK and Ireland. This comes into effect immediately.

Following a lengthy search and evaluation process supported by the Danish Trade Council in the UK, Ferromatik UK was shortlisted and then finally selected as MOULDFLO’s
preferred partner of choice. MOULDFLO’s Head of Sales Anjum Parwaiz said, “Building on strong sales growth and the up and coming launch of complementing products for the
monitoring, testing, validation, and maintenance of injection moulds, we recognised the need to strengthen our worldwide reseller network. We were looking for a reseller in the UK who
had the capability to install, integrate solutions and handle service and support of hardware and software. Ferromatik UK fitted the bill perfectly. In the past our resellers were suppliers
of tool and maintenance components, retailers of DIY products and mould consumables, but our customers also need our knowledge of cooling and polymer processing. This is a
prerequisite when asked to design a flow monitoring solution or mould validation system.  Ferromatik have the capability and capacity to do training on top of installation, service, and
support”.

For more than 50 years Ferromatik UK have been partnered with some leading brands including Milacron and BMB, WEMO Automation and SELLA Thermodynamics. Anjum
continues, “Our market research study showed that customers speak highly and value the service provided by the team of sales and service engineers at Ferromatik UK. This was
clearly significant when selecting and finally appointing our new reseller for UK and Ireland”.

MOULDFLO customers in the UK and Ireland should now contact Ferromatik UK for
technical support, spare parts, training and servicing and to discuss new enquires.

Technical Sales Contacts/New Projects
Dave Smith
Sales Director Tel. 07918 054455 Email. dave_smith@ferromatik.co.uk

Ian Jobling
Business Development Manager Tel. 07918 742924 Email. ian_jobling@ferromatik

 

PMMDA’s Annual Karting Day…

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PMMDA’s Annual Karting Day

What an amazing day… The sun shone once again for our annual Karting day and all participants were raring to go from the start, with twin-engine pro-karts and 960m of track the race was never going to be boring and from the start… see more https://rb.gy/bbgff

We say a fond farewell to to Nigel Flowers…

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Yesterday saw the first meeting of our new committee followed by lunch and a fond farewell to Nigel Flowers for his long service of 17 years with the team, Nigel has worked alongside many committee members over this time and we ensured he wouldn’t forget us with a few momento gifts, best of luck Nigel in your new role as President of the British Plastics Federation

We hope you get plenty of use out of that beer glass Nigel – you are a star 💥