R&D and Production Performance in Plastics

Injection moulding machines, thermoforming technology, extrusion systems, tooling systems, materials and components: the Fakuma international trade fair for plastics processing is remaining true to itself and is foregoing the fashionable trend and hardly intelligible hype surrounding the field of generative manufacturing. The fact of the matter is that there’s not really anything to forego, because generative manufacturing options have already been a basic building block of the Fakuma exhibition portfolio for many years. If we eliminate the new buzzword, 3D printing, and replace it with the old, well-known terminology, i.e. “rapid prototyping” in the form of stereo lithography or laser sintering of plastic and metal powders, as well as other similar technologies and processes, we’re right back at the heart of the real world of industrial production of prototypes, samples and small lot quantities. And this has nothing to do with a dubious attempt at a petty interpretation of definitions, but rather a great deal to do with a soberly realistic view of the industrial user’s benefits in the areas of plastics processing as well as metalworking.

3D printing is long since reality in the field plastics processing

It’s plainly apparent that other trade fair promoters take a different view of things and vehemently pounce on a fashionable issue, which on the one hand is not a fashionable issue at all, and on the other hand lacks any relevance whatsoever to the process sequence. The question arises as to why one or another trade fair venue adds the issue of “3D printing” as yet another victory to their battle honours, without being even vaguely familiar with the subject matter and without being able to offer expert visitors any “genuine” synergies. In any case, private trade fair promoters P.E. Schall GmbH & Co. KG continue to bank on a presentation of the entire process sequence for plastics processing at the Fakuma international trade fair for plastics processing. And as is generally known, this begins with product development, carries on through tool and mould making, opens out into industrial manufacturing including quality assurance, and is finished off, for example, with product packaging or further processing in module assembly. This is the world of plastics processing – including process and material flow peripherals.

The State-of-the-Art in Plastics Technology in 23 Sequences and Beyond

When Fakuma opens its doors for the 23rd time from the 14th through the 18th of October 2014, the plastics processing industry will find everything it needs – in the areas of both hardware and software – for efficient, resource-conserving and highly economical, top quality production of plastic products. During the last 22 sequences, Fakuma has constantly challenged itself, optimised its alignment, reinvented itself in certain respects, and has always kept its focus on market requirements and marketing options, as well as its strict nomenclature, and will continue to do so in the future. Worldwide offerings in the field of plastics, as well as special shows and forums, guided tours and the “Blue Competence” presentation which is currently being planned as a VDMA sustainability initiative in the area of plastic and rubber processing machines – Fakuma has a great deal more to offer than just trendy hype.