Smart Molding International 1-2026

45 www.smart-molding.com periphery supply system, we have also provided the structural basis for further growth”, Sperber points out. Several large Drymaxmaterial dryers are standing on the platform, placed below them are 750- kg containers for the most frequently used materials and colors. Polypropylene makes up the lion’s share. Via a closed pipeline system, the granulate is transported to the coupling station and from there to the individual processing machines. Currently, not all of the coupling points are yet in use – here, too, the equipment has been planned for further growth. Characteristic for elasto is its vast range of different colors. “Batch sizes from 5000 units upwards are available in any color”, says Sperber. The coordination of material flows with the machines takes place via bar code labels and hand scanners. The M8 control system of the central material supply system automatically checks whether the particular combination fits and only then releases the material transfer. A risk of confusion, such as existed previously, is thus excluded. “The M8 control systemwas accepted very well by the whole team”, says Rösel. “Following training at WITTMANN, they could all work with it without any problems, although the RFID-controlled granulate supply was a complete novelty for everyone.” Removal and new start-up accomplished in only two weeks The WITTMANN subsidiary in Nuremberg with a large training center and application technology center is less than an hour’s drive away. This is an advantage also for servicing. “Whenever we cannot help online, we will come very quickly in person”, emphasizes Wolfgang Prütting, Regional Sales Manager at the WITTMANN Group. “In selecting our suppliers, we have a strong preference for regional partners”, underscores Marcus Sperber. But the decisive incentive for choosing WITTMANN as their supplier of the central material supply system came from visiting a reference customer. “We visited a major manufacturer of electronic components to see how they work withWITTMANN's system. We spoke with staff members on site and saw that their response was very positive”, Rösel reports. Another confirmation that they had made the right choice came to elasto during the installation of the equipment. The schedule was extremely tight. In just two weeks, the injection molding shop was relocated and the new central material supply system was put into operation. Then production, running at full capacity, started up again. Regrind processing with thorough dedus ng “The central material supply system has substantially improved our processes”, is the conclusion drawn by Markus Rösel. Color changes are now carried out much faster. Residual material is simply sucked back and no longer lands inside a handheld vacuum cleaner. There are no more scattered granulate grains falling on the floor either. “The extremely clean materials handling increases occupational safety, process reliability and material efficiency”, says Rösel. The granulate is transported inside a closed system. Feedmax Clean material loaders are also used. In this way, dust generation is reliably prevented. The M8 control system of the central material supply system met with a very positive response from staff members. The dryer platform provides a view across the material storage area. The space directly under the platform is reserved for containers filled with the most frequently used materials.