Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : Full Integration. Maximum Efficiency – ENGEL Viper Robots

 Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

🚀 Full Integration. Maximum Efficiency – ENGEL Viper Robots 🤖💚

If it’s injection molding, it’s automation.

If it’s automation, it’s ENGEL Viper! 🎯

For more than 15 years, Austrian engineering excellence has been driving the production of ENGEL’s Viper linear robots – designed and built in Europe to the highest quality standards. No wonder they’ve become a benchmark in the plastics industry.

🟩 Why do professionals choose the Viper?

✅ Seamless integration with ENGEL injection molding machines – one interface, one ecosystem 🌐

✅ Advanced IQ software suite – smart functions that adapt in real time to part, mold, and process parameters for consistently optimal performance 🧠💡

✅ High load capacity, fast movements, and pinpoint positioning 🔍⚙️

✅ Excellent value for money – premium automation at an accessible investment level 💰

✅ Broad model range – from 4 kg to 120 kg payload capacity 💪

✅ Compact design with easy maintenance 🧰

✅ Intelligent energy management – efficient operation with low running costs ♻️⚡

💡 About the IQ Software – Viper robots are equipped with ENGEL’s proprietary IQ software solutions (e.g., iQ motion control, iQ vibration control) that:

Automatically optimize movements for shorter cycle times ⏱️

Reduce vibration for higher precision and product quality 📏

Minimize energy consumption without compromising performance ⚡

🛠️ Local service and spare parts in Hungary 🇭🇺

Fast, reliable, and expert support – appreciated by our partners across the country.

💚 Backed by over 75 years of experience as a family-owned company, ENGEL delivers not just a robot, but long-term production security and peace of mind.

📈 Automate smart. Automate with ENGEL.

source : Tivadar Hamzók 

#ENGEL #injectionmolding #viperrobots

China’s largest fibre glass composite recreational fishing boat delivered

The largest fibre glass composite recreational fishing boat in China, “Qiong Sanya Yuxiu 88351”, was put into use in the Wuzhizhou Island tourist area of ​​Sanya, a resort city and the southernmost city on Hainan Island, in South China.

The yacht is 38.38 metres long, 7.80 metres wide, has a full-load displacement of 217.3 tons, and a design speed of 15 knots. It was developed and built by Weihai Xigang Yacht. When selecting #glassfibre composite as the main structural material, #AOC’s high-quality boat manufacturing gelcoat/resin system was adopted.

The hull surface is coated with AOC Neogel NPG 8373 series gelcoat, which not only gives the vessel a beautiful exterior but also provides excellent water and weather resistance, serving as the “first line of protective screen” for the hull’s long-term safety. The main hull structure uses AOC Palatal A400TV series resin, providing robust structural support; Atlac 430 ACT series resin is used for the impermeable layer, ensuring the hull’s durability and safety in complex sea conditions with its excellent chemical corrosion resistance and high dynamic load-bearing capacity.

Promising industrial landscape:

The ship is built using negative glass fibre composite moulds: the hull, deck, superstructure, and other components are formed separately and then assembled. This process not only allows for sleek hull lines to reduce drag, but also provides great flexibility in size and shape, offering a perfect balance between functionality and aesthetics.

In 2022, Hainan Province introduced a series of policies, taking the lead nationwide in establishing a complete policy system for the development of recreational fishing. It was within this promising industrial landscape that Weihai Xigang Yacht undertook a 38-metre glass fibre composite recreational fishing boat project for Hainan Wuzhizhou Tourism Development Co., Ltd.

Weihai Xigang Yacht, a major composite material boat manufacturing company in Northern China, boasts strong technological capabilities. AOC China, as a professional boat material solutions partner, has extensive experience in rapid prototyping and anti-permeability systems. This powerful cooperation has created the benchmark boat model #QiongSanyaYuxiu 88351,” supporting the high-quality development of the glass fibre #composite boat manufacturing industry.

source: AOC China /Jeccomposites

EcoVadis awards Birla Carbon a Platinum rating, reinforcing its leadership in sustainability

Birla Carbon, a leading global manufacturer and supplier of high-quality carbon materials, has been awarded a Platinum level rating by EcoVadis. The recognition places Birla Carbon among the top 1% of companies globally evaluated by EcoVadis and reflects the company’s continued leadership in embedding sustainability across its operations, innovation, and value chain.

The Platinum rating acknowledges Birla Carbon’s performance across key sustainability dimensions, including Environment, Labor & Human Rights, Ethics, and Sustainable Procurement, underscoring the strength and consistency of its enterprise-wide sustainability practices.

Commenting on the recognition, John Loudermilk, President and Chief Executive Officer, Birla Carbon, said, “This Platinum rating reflects the steady progress we are making in embedding sustainability at the core of our business. Our growth strategy is geared towards delivering sustainability through innovation, operational excellence, and responsible practices across our global footprint. We continually invest in sustainability and circularity-driven processes, keeping our operations sustainably efficient while creating long-term value for our customers, partners, communities, and employees.”

He added, “Our sustainability strategy, Share the Future, serves as a roadmap to a sustainable future and guides our actions toward our aspiration of reaching net zero carbon emissions over the next 25 years. Being recognized among the top one percent of companies globally is a testament to the commitment of our teams worldwide.

The rating also reflects strong third-party validations, with more than 75% of operations covered under internationally recognized certifications such as ISO 14001, ISO 50001, ISO 45001, SA8000, and ISO 27001.

source : Birla Carbon

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : Rheology: The Most Overlooked Part of Injection Moulding

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

Rheology: The Most Overlooked Part of Injection Moulding? 🔍

Rheology is one of those topics that quietly sits in the background of injection moulding… yet it influences almost everything we do.

🔬 At its core, rheology is simply about how a polymer flows under different speeds and pressures. But what’s happening behind the scenes is far more interesting, those long polymer chains are constantly untangling, aligning and resisting movement as we push them through the tool. That behaviour is a huge part of why our parts look the way they do.

📉 A good rheology study can tell you an incredible amount:

• ⚡how the viscosity changes with speed

• 🔁 where the polymer flows consistently

• ⚠️ where the process becomes unstable

• 🚫 how far you can safely push the fill before defects start to appear

⚙️ In an ideal world, we’d always optimise fill speed perfectly… but in reality, tooling restrictions, gate design, part geometry and the material itself often dictate what’s possible. In my experience, true optimisation is rare, and rheology often doesn’t get the attention it deserves.

💡 Understanding the why behind the flow can transform the way you troubleshoot and build a process, it’s a core part of a scientific moulding mindset.

🏭 At Sierra 57 Consult Ltd, we take a scientific approach to every element of the process, including rheology. Our training courses are accredited by the Institute of Materials, Minerals & Mining (IOM3), with a strong focus on helping moulders build stable, consistent and repeatable processes.

❓ Curious to hear from others: how often do you get the chance to run a proper rheology study, and what challenges do you face when trying to optimise the fill? 👇

source : James Hayward

Mitsubishi Chemical's Ketron CR PEEK

 Growing trends in LNG and hydrogen have led to the need for new materials that can:

• Extend the range of temperatures

• Withstand extreme conditions

• Offer more reliable sealing by replacing traditional fluoropolymers

#KetronCRPEEK family with outstanding performance

• Unique properties for static sealing applications in extreme cold, including cryogenic environments

• Extremely durable; withstands exposure to temperatures of -196°C (-320.8°F)

• No compromise on excellent tensile strength and low compressive modulus

Ketron CR plastics provide superior ductility and lower sealing force compared to commonly used polymers for cryogenic applications.

The latest Material and Equipment Standards and Codes (MESC) SPE 77-302 (valves-general requirements) and SPE 77-200 (valves in low temperature and cryogenic service) by Shell include CR PEEK as a designated material for cryogenic valve applications.

source : Mitsubishi Chemical Group

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 — 𝗣𝗘𝗞𝗞 (𝗣𝗼𝗹𝘆𝗮𝗿𝘆𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀)

 Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 — 𝗣𝗘𝗞𝗞 (𝗣𝗼𝗹𝘆𝗮𝗿𝘆𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀)

𝗦𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 | 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 | 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 | 𝗗𝗼𝘄𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲 | 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁: Barrday Inc.

#𝗣𝗘𝗞𝗞, polyetherketoneketone, is a semi-crystalline, high-performance thermoplastic polymer in the PAEK family, consisting of alternating ether and ketone linkages, with a 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗸𝗲𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗲-𝘁𝗼-𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗣𝗘𝗘𝗞.

This structure gives PEKK a 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗴𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵, while its 𝘀𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗰𝗿𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 allows for 𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗼𝘄𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗳𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 during manufacturing. It also has 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗲, 𝘀𝗺𝗼𝗸𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗼𝘅𝗶𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆 (𝗙𝗦𝗧) 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀.

PEKK is found in 𝗮𝗲𝗿𝗼𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘀, 𝟯𝗗-𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀, 𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵-𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗼𝗼𝗹𝘀, where high strength, thermal resistance, and regulatory compliance are required. The picture below showcases the use of PEKK for parts such as seat backs or panels in aircraft interiors.

Its main drawback is 𝗰𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗱, PEKK 𝘁𝘆𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗼𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 to achieve optimal crystallinity and avoid warpage.

PEKK UD-Tape 𝗿𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗯𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀-𝗴𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀 𝗳𝗶𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀 can be procured from 𝗕𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗽𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻’𝘀 𝗠𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗯𝘂𝗿𝘆, 𝗠𝗔, 𝗨𝗦𝗔 facility. Barrday began as a 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝘁𝘆 𝘁𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗳𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗱𝗮 before expanding its capabilities into advanced composite materials. Today, its thermoplastic tape portfolio reflects the company’s long-standing focus on 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗲𝗿𝗼𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲, 𝗱𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀.

source : Alformet

Leveraging hemp fibre for applications in various sectors

The Suschy-Next project follows on from the Ssuchy project, which developed a European supply chain for hemp fibres as well as bio-based epoxy resins. Ssuchy-Next aims to scale up hemp fibre production and develop new bio-based resins containing up to 95% bio-based content for high-performance, circular bio-based composites. The objective is also to integrate these bio-based composites into applications in various sectors such as wind energy, construction and automotive. In particular, the project plans to build a ‘13-metre-long certified wind turbine blade’ and ‘hybrid wood-hemp fibre composite beams and façade panels’. The goal is to achieve technology readiness level 7. In addition, the Ssuchy-Next project plans to conduct a comprehensive demonstration of the environmental sustainability and recyclability of the materials developed.

In addition to their environmental benefits, plant fibres have technical properties ‘which can compete with, or even surpass, synthetic materials in specific cases,’ the project team says in a video presentation.

The consortium brings together 17 partners from six European countries coordinated by KU Leuven:

Five academic partners: KU Leuven (Belgium), TU Delft (Netherlands), Université de Bourgogne Franche-Comté UBFC (with affiliated UFC and ENSMM) (France), Danmarks Tekniske Universitet DTU (Denmark), Ecole nationale d’ingénieurs de Tarbes (ENIT) (France)

Two research centres: CETIM (France), Materia Nova (Belgium)

Seven SMEs: Eco-Technilin (France), Hemp-Act (France), SAS Woodoo (France), NPSP BV (Netherlands), Olsen Wings A/S (Denmark), Bitrez (United Kingdom), Terre de Lin (France)

Two large companies: Arkema (France), Linificio (Italy)

One cluster: Bioeconomy for change (France)

The project runs for 48 months, from September 2024 to August 2028, with a total budget of €8 million, funded with €6.7 million by the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU) under Grant Agreement No. 101157517, with additional support from the EU’s Horizon Europe and the Bio Based Industries Consortium.

source : Jeccomposites