Foam and composite plastics save weight!

Fakuma – International Trade Fair for Plastics Processing presents a comprehensive overview of all plastics technologies in Friedrichshafen. Also in vogue from October 16 to 20, 2018, is the efficient machining and processing of polyurethane, foam plastics and composites, which help save more than just weight while maintaining high product stability.

Whether in furniture construction, caravan outfitting or the classic automotive sector, there are many reasons for lightweight construction and the continuous development of lightweight materials. Among other things, these include material and thus weight reduction as well as minimized pollution of the environment through lower resource and fuel consumption. In short, lightweight materials save weight and thus production, transport and fuel costs. At Fakuma, the world’s leading trade event for industrial plastics processing, exhibitors and trade visitors alike will see how coatings, profiles, furniture elements, consumer goods or car body parts can be manufactured efficiently and economically from plastics. More than 1,800 technology leaders are expected to present their international offerings here at the 2018 session.

The processing and production of lightweight materials requires, among other things, specific machinery and suitable tools. Whether fully automatic robots and presses as well as laminating lines, CNC machining centers of various types, or vacuum presses for the production of molded parts, these are just a few of the practical products and solutions that will be presented at Fakuma 2018. However, the trade fair is not limited to lightweight construction; as always, it offers the comprehensive overview of all technologies and processes as well as the equipment for processing plastics by injection molding, extrusion, thermoforming and additive manufacturing/3D printing!

Variant diversity, smaller batch sizes and shorter product life cycles are currently presenting manufacturers of plastic parts with major challenges. In addition, there are individual requirements for compounding, density and processing methods for a wide variety of plastics. In addition, the implementation of inserts, screw sleeves or reinforcing expanded metals, for example, must already be taken into account in tool and mold making. Finally, the plastic parts supplier is also required to provide finishing, so that it must increasingly develop into a full-service provider.

Despite all the often rather unobjective prejudices against plastics technology, the following is true: material conservation, recycling and “green materials” are becoming increasingly popular throughout the industry. The consistently pursued transformation to material- and energy-efficient manufacturing can be seen and experienced in practice at Fakuma 2018!