THERMOFORMING | MACHINERY
new production line for lightweight honeycombs based on recycled PET (RPET). The line can produce RPET honeycomb cores in widths up to 1.2m. At the same time, it can process other thermoplastics such as polycarbonate, polyamide and polyetherimide. The developments in RPET honeycomb technology have been triggered by an increasing demand towards the use of more recyclable materials. RPET honeycomb cores are made of up to 100% post-consumer and post-industrial waste. The cores can be laminated with conventional FRPs into sandwich panels and parts. In combination with PET or PET composite skins, they offer a recyclable, sustainable and lightweight panel solution. “The demand for development of sustainable
material solutions is very evident these days and it runs through the DNA of EconCore,” said Tomasz Czarnecki, chief operations officer of EconCore. At K2022, the company will feature the RPET honeycomb technology and ThermHex Waben’s new offering of lightweight PP honeycomb panels. The PP sandwich panels, an in-line produced laminate of PP honeycomb core and PP/glass fibre skins, can be used to replace plywood, monolithic panels and other conventional materials.
Sustainable showcase OMV Technologies, a manufacturer of thermo- forming machines, will showcase its latest technolo- gies at K2022. “We take our responsibility as stewards of the
environment very seriously and are committed to helping our customers meet the growing demands for more sustainable packaging,” said Mark Strachan, CEO of OMV Technologies. OMV’s line of closed-loop machinery solutions is
a reflection of this, he said, by directly responding to the market forces that demand new sustainable material and processing options. Specifically, he points to legislation on single-use plastics, growing consumer demand for sustainable products, and the firm commitments from brand owners. OMV has worked with its customers through the design and development phases to ensure products comply with current legislation – such as the need for higher percentages of post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic. It has worked with proces- sors and brand owners to incorporate up to 100% PCR resin into products. Its processing technology incorporates PCR flake while meeting industrial food-grade requirements. The company says its ability to build its own
extruders gives processors a tailor-made solution built around their end product. These machinery
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configurations – incorporating the latest drive, screw, die and downstream technology – can be more energy efficient and less costly. In addition, automation technology plays a major role in maximising production, it said.
High-speed stacking A new thermoforming system from Illig – called RedLine RDF 85 – allows tool systems from third parties to be installed. The new machine also integrates a stack handling system with electric axes from Festo. “The adaptive, variable tool interface increases the
flexibility and opens up entirely new possibilities for us in the cost-sensitive and highly competitive markets in Asia,” said Walter Clauss, head of mechan- ical development and standardisation at Illig. Festo supplies the electric axes for the stack handling system that removes finished parts from the machine. The handling system can produce five different packaging variants. Together, developers from Illig and Festo installed the components in the machine and carried out joint tests on the system to find the optimum solution. This was helped by design tools that allowed Illig’s developers to design the automation technology themselves – which boosted speed and efficiency. “It was also important to get everything from a single source – not just the proven pneumatics from Festo but also high-performance electric products,” he said. “With the prospects of digitalisation solutions, we’re on a firm footing for the future.”
CLICK ON THE LINKS FOR MORE INFORMATION: �
www.wm-thermoforming.com �
www.kiefel.com �
www.econcore.com �
www.thermhex.com �
www.omvtechnologies.com �
www.illig.de
September 2022 | FILM & SHEET EXTRUSION 31
Above: Illig’s RDF 85
thermoforming machine accepts tool systems from market
competitors
IMAGE: ILLIG
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