Smart Molding International 2-2022

33 molding technologies www.smart-molding.com sing is important to achieve high prod- uct quality across the board. Residual moisture, and volatile substances originating from material degradation or ink residues, can pass through the melt filter. If these compounds are not removed before the melt is injected, this can lead to pores on the inside and defects on the surface of the part. This not only impairs the visual appeal, but can also reduce the mechanical load bearing capacity of the part. Another special feature of the ENGEL solution is that the first plas- ticising unit in the two-stage process also has the task of buffering raw ma- terial. This achieves a continuous pro- cess which supports the use of smaller screws to ensure further cost savings. Legacy injection moulding machines as the basis ENGEL is demonstrating the new two-stage process's ability to per- form at the K show in the production of dolly pallets. A blend of polyole- fins from a post-industrial collection is being processed on an ENGEL duo 12060H/80Z/900 injection moulding machine. Production cells for processing re- cycling flakes in the new two-stage process are based on legacy injection moulding machines. This too also makes a contribution towards lower- ing the recycling costs and accelerat- ing the establishment of a circular economy for plastics. The project partners for the presen- tation at the show are AVK Plastics, which produces pallets on ENGEL duo injection moulding machines in Balk, Netherlands, where some of these machines are already using the new two-stage process, and IPP, head- quartered in Ennepetal, Germany, a specialist in logistics solutions for sup- ply chains. The mould for this exhibit comes from Haidlmair (Nußbach, Aus- tria) and the high-performance melt filter for effective removal of solid and elastomer contamination from ETTLINGER (Königsbrunn, Germany). R-Cycle is another partner. Information transparency for value-added recycling The pallets are equipped with an RFID chip and a QR code integrated by means of in-mould labelling. Visitors to the show can use the QR code to retrieve information on the material and the recycling process from R-Cycle database in real time. ENGEL joined the R-Cycle Commu- nity in the spring of 2022. The objec- tive of this cross-company initiative is to introduce digital product passports for plastics products. All information relevant to recycling is automati- cally recorded as early as the prod- uct manufacturing stage so that, for example, waste sorting plants can identify recyclable plastics more ac- curately and deliver single grade frac- tions for recycling. In this way, it is possible to stop the downcycling that has been prevalent thus far and to recycle plastics on a par or even with added value. ENGEL www.engelglobal.com One focus of the new process is on large-volume moulded parts, many of which, such as pallets and other logistics products, are already made from recycled materials today (all photos: ENGEL) ENGEL is one of the global leaders in the manufacture of plastics processing ma- chines. Today, the ENGEL Group offers a full range of technology modules for plastics processing as a single source supplier: injection moulding machines for thermoplas- tics and elastomers together with automation, with individual components also being competitive and successful in the market. With nine production plants in Europe, North America and Asia (China and Korea), and subsidiaries and represen- tatives in more than 85 countries, ENGEL offers its customers the excellent global support they need to compete and succeed with new technologies and leading- edge production systems.