The 29th Fakuma, held from October 15th to 19th, 2024 in Friedrichshafen, once again affirmed its position as one of the most important trade fairs for plastics processing in Europe. This year, ENGEL, one of the leading manufacturers in the field of injection moulding technologies, stood out as a central exhibitor, successfully showcasing its latest innovations to a wide audience of industry professionals.
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High visitor interest at ENGEL’s booth during a successful Fakuma 2024 |
Successful Trade Show Performance with a Clear Customer Focus
Ahead of the fair, ENGEL set clear goals: the focus was on improving efficiency, digitalisation, and sustainability. These priorities were reflected in the numerous exhibits, all designed to address the current challenges facing the plastics industry. Based on feedback from the discussions and responses from trade show visitors, it became evident that the solutions presented fully met the expectations of both customers and interested parties. The automation solutions and digitally supported process monitoring systems, in particular, generated significant interest.
ENGEL's showcased machine solutions, including the new all-electric e-mac 500 with 5000 kN clamping force, the latest generation of the t-win two-platen injection moulding machines from the ENGEL Group's WINTEC brand, as well as high-precision large machines and automated production processes, impressed with their efficiency and flexibility. Notably, ENGEL’s dual-brand strategy continues to prove successful: while ENGEL offers highly specialised technology tailored to individual customer needs, WINTEC provides accessible, effective solutions that utilise the technology to achieve targeted results cost-effectively.
Customers and visitors could directly experience how ENGEL optimises production processes with integrated digital tools such as the iQ process observer and the authentig machine data collection system. These solutions increase overall equipment effectiveness (OEE), helping companies reduce costs and remain competitive in the long term.
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Presentation of the new all-electric e-mac 500 injection moulding machine |
Positive Feedback and Strategic Milestones
For ENGEL, the trade show not only provided an opportunity to strengthen existing customer relationships but also served as a platform to attract new customers. According to internal feedback, the visitor turnout at the ENGEL booth was high, with many new prospects from various industries exploring ENGEL's solutions. For example, in the highly sought-after medical technology sector, ENGEL successfully demonstrated its expertise. The high demand for specialised solutions for diabetes product manufacturing highlighted the importance of this sector.
Positive developments were also seen in other segments, such as packaging and technical moulding, despite challenges in sectors like automotive. The Expert Corners, introduced during the trade show, garnered considerable attention and offered practical demonstrations of how ENGEL’s technologies optimise processes. The presentation of these technologies, ranging from initial sketches to fully developed solutions, underscored ENGEL’s innovation and customer-oriented approach.
Solutions for Current Challenges
The plastics processing market faces several challenges, including rising energy costs and a shortage of skilled workers. ENGEL addressed these issues at Fakuma 2024 by showcasing its latest technologies. The use of intelligent assistance systems and the seamless integration of automation solutions help companies improve production efficiency and reduce the need for highly specialised personnel.
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Easy operation of compact automation systems through intelligent assistance systems |
A highlight at the Expert Corner for control systems, which drew much attention, was the automatic leak detection for hot runner systems, now integrated into the machine control. This solution improves operational safety and reduces downtime by identifying and addressing potential problems early on. Additionally, iQ flow control, in combination with e-flomo and e-temp, optimises the management of temperature and cooling circuits, ensuring consistently high product quality while also reducing cooling water consumption.
Outlook: Long-Term Partnerships and Continued Development
The success at Fakuma 2024 demonstrates that ENGEL is on the right path to overcoming the industry’s challenges. The close collaboration with customers, the provision of tailored solutions, and the strategic focus on digitalisation and sustainability are key factors in ENGEL’s continued leadership in plastics processing.
The trade show appearance made it clear that the extensive preparations and focus on customer-oriented solutions paid off. Positive feedback from customers and numerous conversations at the booth confirmed ENGEL’s position as a reliable partner, offering innovative technologies and practical solutions that deliver real value to its customers.
