NEWS


Q1 machine data shows demand strengthening


The latest quarterly business updates from European and US plastics machinery manufacturers suggest the plastics processing sector is recovering strongly from the impact of the pandemic. German plastics machin-


ery makers have seen a 92% year-on-year increase in order intake over the first four months of this year, according to the sector trade group at the country’s engineering association VDMA. It is predicting a final result for 2021 at least 10% ahead of the 2020 figure of just under €7bn but warns that supply chain issues may prove to be a limiting factor. “Economically, the industry is currently doing very well again,” according to Thorsten Kühmann, Managing Director of the VDMA’s plastics machinery division. “However, this also has its downsides in the strained supply chains, with regard to availability of


necessary raw materials and components.” Kühmann said his


concern is not only for direct supply of materials and parts to machine builders but also bottlenecks in the supply of plastics “which is impacting the willingness on the part of manufacturers to invest.” The Italian plastics machinery and mould manufacturing sector is also faring well. Sector trade association Amaplast said in Q1 2021 its members reported a 12% increase in sales over the equivalent period in 2020 and a 64% increase in orders. “The first quarter of the


current year confirms the early forecasts by the association, which called for a marked reversal of trend from the difficult period for companies because of the pandemic in 2020,” said Amaplast director Mario Maggiani.


Meanwhile, the Commit- tee on Equipment Statistics, part of the US Plastics Industry Association that compiles industry sales data, said plastics machinery shipments for Q1 2021 were, at $335m, up by 32% on the same period in 2020. Shipments of twin screw extruders saw a particular gain, up by 18% in value year-on-year. “With the economy staying in a recovery cycle, plastics machinery ship- ments can be expected to increase this year. However, supply chain issues in plastics end-markets could slow growth in plastics equipment demand, so we’ll be watching market dynamics very closely in the coming months,” said Perc Pineda, Chief Economist at the Plastics Industry Association. � www.vdma.org � www.amaplast.org � www.plasticsindustry.org


Hot runner OPC spec published


The joint working group of Euromap and the OPC Foundation has pub- lished two new parts of the OPC 40082 specifica- tion “OPC UA Interfaces for Plastics & Rubber Machinery - Peripheral Devices”. This will standardise


data exchange with hot runner equipment and liquid silicone rubber dosing systems, defining the data to be exchanged via OPC UA, an open machine-to-machine communication technol- ogy. It includes informa- tion for central device monitoring and process status, plus functionalities enabling the connected injection moulding machine to directly influence process parameters. The specifications are available free of charge on the Euromap website. � www.euromap.org


Nissan uses BCN3D for jigs and fixtures


Nissan has integrated 3D printing into the production process in its Barcelona factory, using 3D desktop printing FFF (fused filament fabrication) technology from BCN3D to produce tools, jigs and fixtures for its manufacturing line. By making them in-house with 3D printers, BCN3D says Nissan has cut times to one day and costs by 95%. To date, it has created 700 parts. Nissan’s additive manufacturing laboratory has four BCN3D


printers, which incorporate an independent dual extrusion system, enabling two identical components to be made simultaneously. The company has also become one of the first to use the new BCN3D Smart Cabinet, which was developed to preserve filament printability, extend its shelf life, reduce aesthetic defects and avoid reprints. � www.bcn3d.com � www.nissan-global.com


8 INJECTION WORLD | July/August 2021 www.injectionworld.com


IMAGE: BCN3D


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