Equipment in the plastics technology centre

With its state-of-the-art injection moulding machinery and extruders, the plastics technology centre is the place where new materials are being developed, and compounding and injection moulding of bio-based as well as conventional plastics and composites goes on. Besides application-oriented materials development, research is also focusing on the processing behaviour of these new materials and the relationships between material composition and processing behaviour.

Injection moulding machine KraussMaffei 50 - 180 AX

Injection moulding machine KraussMaffei 50 - 180 AX, source: IfBB
Injection moulding machine KraussMaffei 50 - 180 AX, source: IfBB

Research and development

Technical details:

  • Drive type: fully electric
  • Closing force: 50 t
  • Plasticising unit: SP 180, max. dosage volume: 59 cm3
  • Tool integration height: 150 to 470 mm
  • Sensors and in-line process monitoring: thermal imaging, fully automatic recording of process data, energy consumption, internal pressure and tool temperature

 

Detailed view of the open "CAMPUS" tool, source: IfBB
Detailed view of the open "CAMPUS" tool, source: IfBB

Tools and applications:

  • Flexible test piece production, multifunctional "CAMPUS" tool: tensile bars, bending samples, shrink plates, surface structures, stair steps and flow spiral
  • Production of small injection-moulded parts
Biodegradable balloon clips (light border for the "25th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall"), source: IfBB
Biodegradable balloon clips (light border for the "25th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall"), source: IfBB

 

 

Injection moulding machine KraussMaffei 160 - 750 EX

Injection moulding machine KraussMaffei 160 - 750 EX, source: IfBB
Injection moulding machine KraussMaffei 160 - 750 EX, source: IfBB

Industry

Technical details:

  • Drive type: fully electric
  • Closing force: 160 t
  • Plasticising unit: SP 750, max. dosage volume: 393 cm³
  • Tool integration height: 300 to 500 mm
  • Sensors and in-line process monitoring: thermal imaging, fully automatic recording of process data, energy consumption, internal pressure and tool temperature
  • Interface: process control by Priamus software

with the friendly support of:

Multifunctional plate tool, source: IfBB
Multifunctional plate tool, source: IfBB

Tools and applications:

  • Multifunctional plate tool with inserts for the production and testing of various component geometries such as ribs, various surface structures, variable wall thicknesses and flow distances, weld lines, etc.
  • Production of medium-scaled injection-moulded parts
  • Process optimisation
  • Industry 4.0
Computer mouse from Nager IT e.V., source: Kathrin Morawietz
Computer mouse from Nager IT e.V., source: Kathrin Morawietz

 

 

2-component injection moulding machine: Arburg ALLROUNDER 720 S 3200 - 800/170

Arburg ALLROUNDER 720S 3200 - 800/170, source: IfBB
Arburg ALLROUNDER 720S 3200 - 800/170, source: IfBB

Lightweight construction and (bio) hybrid materials

Technical data for the Arburg 2-component injection moulding machine:

  • Drive type: fully hydraulic
  • Closing force: 320 t
  • Plasticising unit: two modular plasticising units SP 800/170
  • Max. dosage volumes: 392 and 115 cm³
  • Tool integration height: 300 to 600 mm
  • Sensors and in-line process monitoring: thermal imaging, fully automatic recording of process data, energy consumption, internal pressure and tool temperature
  • Variothermal bi-circuit temperature controller
Kuka KR30, source: IfBB
Kuka KR30, source: IfBB

Technical details of the Kuka KR30 robot:

  • Type: six-axis articulated arm robot
  • Load capacity: 30 kg
  • Additional load: 35 kg
  • Working range maximum reach: 2033 mm
  • Repeat accuracy:  < ± 0.06 mm
  • Weight: 665 kg
  • Mounting positions: floor, ceiling
  • Control system: KR C4
  • Removal of components
  • Insertion of organic sheets

Tools and applications:

  • (Bio) hybrid materials and special test specimens
  • Combination of two plastics in one component
  • Combination of textile semi-finished products and plastics, e.g. processing of organic sheets
  • Lightweight construction for automotive or aviation sector
  • Industry 4.0

Extruder Coperion ZSK18 ML

Extruder Coperion ZSK18 ML, source: IfBB
Extruder Coperion ZSK18 ML, source: IfBB

Research and recycling

Technical details:

  • Type: co-rotating twin-screw extruder
  • Throughput range: 1-40 kg/h
  • Drive power: 10 kW
  • Torque: 2 x 38 Nm
  • Screw diameter: 18 mm
  • Length: 48 D
  • Thread depth: 3.2 mm
  • Max. screw speed: 1200 min-1
  • Modular screw and process set-up
  • Dosage: gravimetric solids dosage
  • Granulation system: strand granulation
Recycling of food packaging from PLA, source: Kathrin Morawietz
Recycling of food packaging from PLA, source: Kathrin Morawietz

Applications:

  • Resource efficiency, recycling and incorporation of residues
  • Material and process development (small throughputs and material quantities)
Detailed view of vacuum degassing, source: IfBB
Detailed view of vacuum degassing, source: IfBB

 

 

Extruder KraussMaffei Berstorff ZE34 Basic

Extruder KraussMaffei Berstorff ZE34 Basic, source: KraussMaffei Berstorff GmbH
Extruder KraussMaffei Berstorff ZE34 Basic, source: KraussMaffei Berstorff GmbH

Research and formulation development

Technical details:

  • Type: co-rotating twin-screw extruder
  • Throughput range: 50-230 kg/h
  • Drive power: 54 kW
  • Torque: 2 x 215 Nm
  • Screw diameter: 34 mm
  • Length: 46 D
  • Thread depth: 6.1 mm
  • Max. screw speed: 1200 min-1
  • Modular screw and process set-up
  • Dosage: eight gravimetric solids dosages and one liquid dosage
  • Granulation system: strand and underwater granulation

Applications:

  • Additivation of (bio) plastics (dyestuffs, processing aids, stabilisers)
  • Incorporation of reinforcing components (e.g., natural or glass fibres), fillers (e.g. talc, organic residues) or recycling products (e.g., pyrolysis charcoal, powdery ground material)
  • Specific materials development and blend production
  • Material production for various industrial products, e.g.:
    • Computer mouse, Nager IT e. V.
    • Toothbrush, SWAK Experience UG
    • Door panel, Volkswagen AG
    • Ballpoint pen Slider Xite, Schneider Schreibgeräte GmbH
Ballpoint pen Slider Xite, Schneider Schreibgeräte GmbH, source: Schneider Schreibgeräte GmbH
Ballpoint pen Slider Xite, Schneider Schreibgeräte GmbH, source: Schneider Schreibgeräte GmbH

Extruder KraussMaffei Berstorff ZE42 Basic

Extruder KraussMaffei Berstorff ZE42 Basic, source: KraussMaffei Berstorff GmbH
Extruder KraussMaffei Berstorff ZE42 Basic, source: KraussMaffei Berstorff GmbH

Upscaling and process optimisation

Technical details:

  • Type: co-rotating twin-screw extruder
  • Throughput range: 100-440 kg/h
  • Drive power: 107 kW
  • Torque: 2 x 425 Nm
  • Screw diameter: 42 mm
  • Length: 46 D
  • Thread depth: 7.6 mm
  • Max. screw speed: 1200 min-1
  • Modular screw and process set-up
  • Dosage: eight gravimetric solids dosages and one liquid dosage
  • Granulation system: strand and underwater granulation

with the friendly support of:

Process supervision and monitoring, source: IfBB
Process supervision and monitoring, source: IfBB

Applications:

  • Process optimisation for the compounding of bioplastics, (bio) composites and highly filled compounds
  • Recycling
  • Process upscaling

Various granulation systems

  • Gala underwater pelletising system model EFLEX with melt pump (pressure controlled underwater granulation of various melt compositions and extrusion of (high) filled thermoplastic composites)
  • Various strand granulators

Extrusion blow-moulder

Extrusion blow-moulder, source: IfBB
Extrusion blow-moulder, source: IfBB

Research and development

Technical details:

  • Product volume: approx. 10-40 ml
  • Total power: approx. 1.8 kW
  • Pure extruder output: 1.1 kW
  • Three-zone single-screw
  • Screw diameter: 16 mm
  • Closing force: 2800 N at 6 bar
  • Closing time: 0.35 s
  • Mass flow: approx. 2.5 kg/h
  • Stroke: 50 mm

with the friendly support of:

Bioplastic blow-moulded hollow bodies, source: IfBB
Bioplastic blow-moulded hollow bodies, source: IfBB

Applications:

  • Testing the processability of plastics into blow-moulded hollow bodies
  • Production of blow-moulded hollow bodies in small batches (bellows tube, bottles up to 40 ml volume)