AUTOMOTIVE | INTERIORS AND EXTERIORS
Right: The new- est IntElect series can accommodate larger moulds, providing an energy efficient option for automotive applications previously requiring a larger tonnage
motorists. In the future, applications like this will reduce the number of components in a vehicle. “From vehicle entry to fingerprint
ignition, sensors to computer vision software, the possibilities are end- less,” says Flowers. “Health, wellness and wellbeing (HWW) are new features already being spotlighted, with a number of startups developing health tracking sensors to monitor heart rates, rhythms, fatigue and stress levels. Sophisticated biometrics like this could even adjust personal comfort settings or perform an automatic alcohol breath test.” He says: “In-car voice assistance has an equally
Below: Arburg’s new Allrounder More series is equipped with numerous optimised features for production- efficient
two-component injection moulding
big role to play. For many consumers, voice is one of the biggest purchasing influencers, suggests a report by Voicebot, allowing drivers to safely access navigation, detours, and potential pit stop information. Over 60% of drivers now factor the availability of voice assistance when purchasing a new vehicle. By no means new technology – Ford pioneered its Bluetooth connectivity way back in 2007 – brand consistency from home to car is emerging as a preference. In April Lamborghini unveiled the first car to rely entirely on Amazon Alexa to control environmental settings. The level of hyper personalisation and sophisticated in-car entertainment that pushes content from one connected device to another is opening up a whole new market for manufacturers and OEMs.” As with any electronics or safety component, moulding precision and stability is paramount. This need to enhance precision and eradicate compo- nent defects is prompting more moulders in the automotive supply chain to switch to all-electric injection moulding machines. “If you are repeat- edly manufacturing a connector or sensor and you
IMAGE: SUMITOMO (SHI) DEMAG
know it performs between the upper and lower weight limit, an all-electric system will enable you to run much closer to the lower limit, with greater precision and consequently fewer defects and lower scrap rates,” adds Flowers. According to Sumitomo (SHI) Demag, its newest IntElect electric machine series is dynamic, precise and energy saving, and features direct servo drives, enabling improved repeatability and shorter cycle times. Ranging from 220 to 500 tonnes, the big tie bar spacing, increase in mould height and opening stroke mean that the new IntElect models can accommodate larger moulds. The result is a less energy intensive machine for automotive applica- tions that would previously have required a larger tonnage. “As society moves towards more integrated and sophisticated electronic components in vehicles, injection moulding machines and OEMs have to adapt,” Flowers adds. “All of the technological enhancements in the IntElect series are designed to give moulders the tools, machine synchronisa- tion, mould safety and real-time production monitoring required for the next generation of digitalised automotive concepts.” The IntElect’s optimised clamp force is a result of an innovative double centre press platen. De- signed in-house by Sumitomo (SHI) Demag, it ensures equal surface pressure distribution. Units can be modified with a larger screw geometry and non-return valve (ActiveLock) to achieve higher repeatability and precision. Arburg reports that the automotive market is
trending upwards once again, across the board, with most projects involving electric mobility. Pilot installations are just starting up. However, it will still take a while until these products and models go into widespread volume production, says the company. In the era of digitalisation, increasingly complex
production processes for automotive applications are placing high demands on production cells that are also required to be ‘smart’. “To enable the Allrounder injection moulding machines to be
28 INJECTION WORLD | November/December 2021
www.injectionworld.com
IMAGE: ARBURG
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