Changing times make demands change. From larger, faster, higher we are passing to better, more diverse, more sustainable — and it happens rapidly. In particular, for plastic processing, being flexible means a lot today. This is exactly the reason why Haitian International is consistently developing its strategy for innovations, baptized “Technology to the Point,” with an increased attention to modularity and integration. This gives Haitian products the wanted extra flexibility edge.
Productivity is surely one of the most discussed topics for processors, but one of the most critical new challenges is process flexibility. Increasingly shorter production cycles, frequent mold changes, and maximum performance demanded call for a fine productivity/flexibility balance. A particular production cell may be highly performant, but when it comes to a product change or modernization, the cell is not flexible enough in most cases. However, processors cannot afford themselves suffering from decreased production efficiency due to that; before all, they have to satisfy exact delivery terms. Many of Haitian customers, including T1 automotive suppliers, have shared with the company their experience pointing to this observation.
That is why Haitian International provides cost-efficient solutions for reaching an ideal productivity/flexibility balance at the lowest costs possible, including highly performant, flexible and future-oriented injection molding machines holding to the “Technology to the Point” concept.
Looking forward towards full-fledged implementation of Industry 4.0 concept, Haitian International sees its goal as an equipment supplier in providing the best integration of Haitian machines with MES solutions and cyber systems. Haitian and Zhafir machines are optionally equipped with any standard international interfaces, including Euromap 77, in order to provide smart connectivity tailored to specific customer sites anywhere around the world.
Modular concept for an additional flexibility dimension
“Technology to the Point” is supplemented with process flexibility in machines, which gains importance ever more. Modularity is being redefined at Haitian International, with new and future machine series redesigned accordingly.
Even today, Zhafir and Haitian equipment allows processors to manufacture wide groups of items with similar parameters efficiently. Moreover, clamping force range is being constantly expanded; all-electric machines reply to the demand for smaller clamping forces, while larger two-platen machines are oriented to bigger ones. “Technology to the Point” is application-oriented and will become even more flexible through modularity. However, one should note that the primary development goal is not in creating hybrid models but in optimizing the established all-electric and servo hydraulic technologies for their modular integration.
A sustainable road to Industry 4.0
Undoubtedly, Haitian International will continue transforming from a pure equipment builder to a provider of complex smart solutions. Engineers, system developers, and IT specialists within Haitian global project groups all work together, employing diverse approaches to reaching set targets by means of the above innovation strategy. Thus, new interfaces are being optimized to system environment in order to provide for integration of standardized equipment in automation processes with ever-increased flexibility while keeping the required performance.
Prof. Helmar Franz, member of Haitian International board, underscores: “We are placing great emphasis on the theme of Industry 4.0 and are discussing it with our system partners and with many customers. How and when our machines can be integrated into an ‘intelligent’ environment is decided by analyzing what benefits we can bring for the customer. However, before all, there are some general challenges to overcome that cannot be solved without collaboration. The key components include data security, network accessibility, and stability of internet connection. In addition, we always ask ourselves the question of what does make sense. Not everything that is technologically feasible today necessarily is economical for a specific plastic processor. It is also a matter of finding the most cost-efficient path, that is, a perfect balance between flexibility and productivity at best costs.”
In order to meet global challenges as an equipment manufacturer while growing its business efficiently, the engineering team of Haitian International follows local specificities in regional markets.
Actions for an efficient growth
New, not yet fully answered questions of the digital age that follow modern automation trends go together with key issues of modern equipment production. Thus, Haitian International focuses its work on future-proofing of its injection molding technology. Prof. Franz to add: “With all these developments with regard to Industry 4.0, we should not forget the machine itself. In collaboration with research institutions such as MIT, we are working on lightweight constructions in injection molding machine manufacture. For new materials and new plasticizing concepts that they will necessitate, we cooperate with universities in Beijing and Guangzhou. Also under intense discussion is the integration of other processing methods and new sustainable business models inspired by ‘sharing economy’ principles.”
A global benefit expansion
Optimization of value creation within the company – both in China and abroad – will receive strong support through the modular concept. Thus, subsidiaries may be supplied with key process components instead of complete equipment. This way, Haitian strengthens its customer focus on-site while simultaneously creating new possibilities for an even better understanding of local specificities. This particularly concerns increasing demand differentiation both in leading and emerging markets.
“This is especially important for global processors who need different market-specific and socially fair solutions depending on subsidiary location. This ranges from highly developed countries prepared for Industry 4.0 to developing ones with simple, basic needs,” adds Prof. Franz. “Our goal is and always has been to place technology at the service of our customers by tailoring it as precisely as possible to their sectors and applications and to the needs of their respective customers. On the one hand, plastic processing with maximized performance and productivity, but on the other, flexibility and cost efficiency: this is the clear goal we set for our machine technologies and solutions, a goal that we will continue to expand and improve. Worldwide, we are creating and developing competitive advantages for our customers, and we will continue to pursue this target in the future.”
Productivity is surely one of the most discussed topics for processors, but one of the most critical new challenges is process flexibility. Increasingly shorter production cycles, frequent mold changes, and maximum performance demanded call for a fine productivity/flexibility balance. A particular production cell may be highly performant, but when it comes to a product change or modernization, the cell is not flexible enough in most cases. However, processors cannot afford themselves suffering from decreased production efficiency due to that; before all, they have to satisfy exact delivery terms. Many of Haitian customers, including T1 automotive suppliers, have shared with the company their experience pointing to this observation.
That is why Haitian International provides cost-efficient solutions for reaching an ideal productivity/flexibility balance at the lowest costs possible, including highly performant, flexible and future-oriented injection molding machines holding to the “Technology to the Point” concept.
Looking forward towards full-fledged implementation of Industry 4.0 concept, Haitian International sees its goal as an equipment supplier in providing the best integration of Haitian machines with MES solutions and cyber systems. Haitian and Zhafir machines are optionally equipped with any standard international interfaces, including Euromap 77, in order to provide smart connectivity tailored to specific customer sites anywhere around the world.
Modular concept for an additional flexibility dimension
“Technology to the Point” is supplemented with process flexibility in machines, which gains importance ever more. Modularity is being redefined at Haitian International, with new and future machine series redesigned accordingly.
Even today, Zhafir and Haitian equipment allows processors to manufacture wide groups of items with similar parameters efficiently. Moreover, clamping force range is being constantly expanded; all-electric machines reply to the demand for smaller clamping forces, while larger two-platen machines are oriented to bigger ones. “Technology to the Point” is application-oriented and will become even more flexible through modularity. However, one should note that the primary development goal is not in creating hybrid models but in optimizing the established all-electric and servo hydraulic technologies for their modular integration.
A sustainable road to Industry 4.0
Undoubtedly, Haitian International will continue transforming from a pure equipment builder to a provider of complex smart solutions. Engineers, system developers, and IT specialists within Haitian global project groups all work together, employing diverse approaches to reaching set targets by means of the above innovation strategy. Thus, new interfaces are being optimized to system environment in order to provide for integration of standardized equipment in automation processes with ever-increased flexibility while keeping the required performance.
Prof. Helmar Franz, member of Haitian International board, underscores: “We are placing great emphasis on the theme of Industry 4.0 and are discussing it with our system partners and with many customers. How and when our machines can be integrated into an ‘intelligent’ environment is decided by analyzing what benefits we can bring for the customer. However, before all, there are some general challenges to overcome that cannot be solved without collaboration. The key components include data security, network accessibility, and stability of internet connection. In addition, we always ask ourselves the question of what does make sense. Not everything that is technologically feasible today necessarily is economical for a specific plastic processor. It is also a matter of finding the most cost-efficient path, that is, a perfect balance between flexibility and productivity at best costs.”
In order to meet global challenges as an equipment manufacturer while growing its business efficiently, the engineering team of Haitian International follows local specificities in regional markets.
Actions for an efficient growth
New, not yet fully answered questions of the digital age that follow modern automation trends go together with key issues of modern equipment production. Thus, Haitian International focuses its work on future-proofing of its injection molding technology. Prof. Franz to add: “With all these developments with regard to Industry 4.0, we should not forget the machine itself. In collaboration with research institutions such as MIT, we are working on lightweight constructions in injection molding machine manufacture. For new materials and new plasticizing concepts that they will necessitate, we cooperate with universities in Beijing and Guangzhou. Also under intense discussion is the integration of other processing methods and new sustainable business models inspired by ‘sharing economy’ principles.”
A global benefit expansion
Optimization of value creation within the company – both in China and abroad – will receive strong support through the modular concept. Thus, subsidiaries may be supplied with key process components instead of complete equipment. This way, Haitian strengthens its customer focus on-site while simultaneously creating new possibilities for an even better understanding of local specificities. This particularly concerns increasing demand differentiation both in leading and emerging markets.
“This is especially important for global processors who need different market-specific and socially fair solutions depending on subsidiary location. This ranges from highly developed countries prepared for Industry 4.0 to developing ones with simple, basic needs,” adds Prof. Franz. “Our goal is and always has been to place technology at the service of our customers by tailoring it as precisely as possible to their sectors and applications and to the needs of their respective customers. On the one hand, plastic processing with maximized performance and productivity, but on the other, flexibility and cost efficiency: this is the clear goal we set for our machine technologies and solutions, a goal that we will continue to expand and improve. Worldwide, we are creating and developing competitive advantages for our customers, and we will continue to pursue this target in the future.”
