2013
| news
Trexel and 3M team up on weight reduction
Mucell technology developer Trexel revealed the results of a nine-month project it has been working on with 3M to combine its microcellular-foam moulding technology with 3M’s glass bubbles to further reduce the density of injection moulded parts. “We have long been able to
lightweight and make better parts using the Mucell process but now we have a process that results in unprecedented density reductions,” said Trexel CEO Steve Braig. “We are talking about a 20% material density reduction so any other lightweighting technologies, such as thin- walling, can be added on top.” Braig said the combination
of Mucell with 3M’s iM16K glass bubbles can be consid- ered additive in that all of the traditional benefi ts of the Mucell process technology – including faster cycle times,
MuCell CEO Steve Braig claims ‘unprecedented density redutions’
shorter cooling times and reduced post-moulded distortion – are maintained. This is attributed to the similarity in dimension between a Mucell ‘cell’ and the bubbles (which are around 20 microns in diameter). 3M’s business director for
advanced materials, Doug Rowen said the initial develop- ment work has been carried
The development
out on glass fi bre reinforced PA6 automotive engine covers using masterbatch addition techniques and standard iM16K glass bubbles with no surface treatment. Density reductions of 15-20% have been achieved with acceptable mechanicals and an estimated 5-10% reduction in overall part cost. Achieving such a density
reduction using the Mucell process alone would result in a signifi cant reduction in mechanical performance, according to Braig. Further improvements in density reduction would be expected if the component, which was designed for compact moulding, was optimised for the Mucell process – Mucell is
partners claim up to 20% density reduction for automotive substrates
sensitive to polymer fl ow. Braig also said the use of
glass bubbles results in some improvement in surface properties of the part. However, it would still be necessary to use technologies such as variotherm mould temperature cycling to achieve Class A automotive interior surface fi nishes. For that reason, he said the partners are aiming it at traditional Mucell automotive applica- tions such as IPs, centre console and trim sub-struc- tures and HVAC housings.
www.trexel.com
www.3m.com
KraussMaffei predicts record 2014 result
KraussMaffei CEO Jan Siebert said the company’s results for the 12 months to the end of September show it is on track to repeat the record result of 2012, with an even better result expected for 2014. KraussMaffei group sales
for 2013 totalled €1.065bn, compared to €1.064bn for 2012. Incoming orders for 2013 amounted to €1.073bn. Siebert said the headline
KM CEO Jan Siebert is expecting a strong 2014 result
14
fi gures, while good, do not reveal the strides the company
INJECTION WORLD | November/December 2013
has made in improving its margins. “What you see here is top line – what we want to secure is profi table growth,” he said. A key element in improving
profi tability is the company’s merger of subsidiary opera- tions in certain markets. At K, Siebert announced the merger of the KM and Netstal sales activities in three more markets – Mexico, France and Belgium. The moves will be completed during the fi rst
quarter of 2014. “We are looking at others.
We want to bring the back- rooms together - we are not going for a unifi ed sales force because the products are too different,” said Siebert. He also said the company
was exploring opportunities to source more from lower cost locations. “We are operating eight plants in high cost countries with high cost suppliers,” he said.
www.kraussmaffei.com
www.injectionworld.com
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