Material and energy saving is the order of the day. This trend moves gas-assisted injection molding into the focus. In two-day workshops, the injection molding equipment supplier WITTMANN and the Kunststoff-Zentrum SKZ will demonstrate the opportunities for more sustainability provided by gas pressure technology. The workshops will take place in December 2024 and May and October 2025 at the SKZ in Würzburg, Germany. Registrations are possible immediately.
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Sharing their expert knowledge and experience about internal gas pressure technology with injection molders (from left to right): Stefan Böllinghaus, Application Engineer at the WITTMANN Group, Christoph Mussauer, Group Leader of the injection molding lab at the SKZ, Ulrich Schätzlein, Senior Injection Molding Trainer at the SKZ, und Domenico Scavello, Regional Sales Manager and Airmould specialist at WITTMANN. (Photo: WITTMANN) |
In internal gas pressure injection molding, nitrogen is injected into the cavity partly or completely filled with plastic melt, generating a hollow structure inside the part. In this way, raw material is saved and the weight of the molded parts is reduced. Yet the parts still come with a faultless surface, since the nitrogen gas takes over the task of holding pressure and counteracts shrinkage of the parts from inside. The range of applications is enormous. From car interiors and sports equipment right down to beverage crates, internal gas pressure technology supports plastics processors in their efforts to combine low material consumption with high part quality as well as energy and cost efficiency.
Including the production process in design development
The workshops about internal gas pressure injection molding jointly organized by WITTMANN and SKZ are aimed at plastics experts wishing either to try out internal gas pressure technology for the first time or to optimize already existing gas-assisted processes. "In addition to plastics processors and mold makers, we are making a special point of inviting product designers and engineers as well, since the savings potential can be exploited most fully if the production process is already taken into account at the product development stage", emphasizes Domenico Scavello, Regional Sales Manager and Airmould specialist at the WITTMANN Group.
With Airmould, WITTMANN has developed its own patented internal gas pressure injection molding system, which can be combined with all types and brands of injection molding machines via a Euromap 62 interface. For the nitrogen supply, WITTMANN also offers a highly efficient solution from its own product development and production. WITTMANN passes on its extensive experience in internal gas pressure injection molding to its customers in the form of service packages and consulting services – right up to the initial simulation of Airmould-optimized part design.
Many examples from practice
The participants of the workshops will benefit from the extensive knowledge and experience of the organizers. The experts from WITTMANN and SKZ will take time to answer the individual questions of participants, who will be welcome to bring parts and drawings of parts to the workshops. "We wish that all participants can take home some tips to be implemented quickly in their daily practice", says Scavello.
To this end, the workshops will combine theory with extensive practice. Following a thorough introduction to the advantages, opportunities and design guidelines of internal gas pressure technology, various application examples will be discussed, before the participants will finally be led to the injection molding machine for live experiments. Two products with completely different requirements will be manufactured. Firstly, an automotive component with a complex geometry, and secondly, a clothes hanger.
WITTMANN has placed an injection molding machine with the Airmould technology package at the disposal of SKZ for the workshops and further training and development programs. The servo-hydraulic SmartPower 240/750 with a Unilog B8 control system allows complete integration of Airmould. The gas-assisted manufacturing process can be controlled completely via the machine's display.
