Great Britain's first Engel v-duo press has been housed at WMG's Automotive Composite Research Centre at the University of Warwick. Engel supplied the 1,700-tonne press with a mould and integrated HP-RTM equipment.

The Engel v-duo machine was designed specifically for fibre composite applications. Compared to conventional presses, the Engel v-duo is 50 per cent shorter in terms of height.

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Great Britain's first Engel v-duo press has been delivered to WMG's Automotive Composite Research Centre at the University of Warwick. "As a development partner with the automotive industry, flexibility is very important to us. The Engel v-duo enables us to research thermoset composites prepreg compression molding (PCM), sheet molding compound (SMC) compression molding, HP-RTM and stamp forming of thermoplastic composites," says Professor Ken Kendall, Professorial Fellow at WMG's Automotive Composite Research Centre. "The precise control provided by this equipment is an essential feature for us when researching these processes".

The Engel v-duo is characterised by a very high degree of rigidity and excellent platen parallelism. Platen-parallelism control for injection compression moulding is included in the standard version of the machine. In addition, handling devices that move straight into the mould area can be integrated to save space. Using the sliding tables, insertion tasks and set-ups can be carried out flexibly and easily. The hydraulic accumulator has been done away with completely, and with the ecodrive servo-hydraulic system fitted on the standard version of the machine, the Engel v-duo is setting new standards in energy efficiency too.

Under the banner "Mold your dreams, mold your future", ARBURG (Hall A3, Stand 3101) will be taking part in the special Careers Day at Fakuma and extending the campaign from Friday, 18 October 2024 even to Saturday. On both days, experts and a team of around 30 trainees will be on hand to show school and university students and career starters in Friedrichshafen the fantastic prospects offered by the plastics industry, and ARBURG in particular, in terms of training, studying and starting a career.

For reliable performance, a slimline design, and an unbeatable price, there is only one choice: the new ALLROUNDER 720 E GOLDEN ELECTRIC!

Great Britain's first Engel v-duo press has been delivered to WMG's Automotive Composite Research Centre at the University of Warwick. "As a development partner with the automotive industry, flexibility is very important to us. The Engel v-duo enables us to research thermoset composites prepreg compression molding (PCM), sheet molding compound (SMC) compression molding, HP‑RTM and stamp forming of thermoplastic composites," says Professor Ken Kendall, Professorial Fellow at WMG's Automotive Composite Research Centre.

Engel's decades of experience in the automotive industry was another crucial factor in WMG's decision to invest in an Engel v-duo machine. It was also important to Professor Kendall to purchase an integrated solution where everything came from a single source. When Engel is used as a system supplier, the customer only communicates with one Engel contact, which can speed up the project planning and start-up of the plant significantly. A further advantage is that the HP-RTM unit, which Engel implemented in cooperation with its system partner Hennecke (in St. Augustin, Germany), has been integrated into the machine's control unit, meaning the entire manufacturing process can be managed via the machine's display.

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At its Center for Lightweight Composite Technologies in St. Valentin, Austria, the injection moulding machine manufacturer focuses on promoting the interdisciplinary development of fiber composite technologies with partner companies and universities. The aim is to speed up the launch of composite technologies in the automotive industry. The technology center is currently focusing on the processing of semi-finished thermoplastic products (thermoplastic fabrics and tapes) and on reactive technologies that use thermoset and thermoplastic material systems, such as HP-RTM and in situ caprolactam polymerization.

Engel supplied the 1,700-tonne press with a mold and integrated HP-RTM equipment. With a mold mounting surface of 2.2 by 1.8 meters, the machine offers WMG the opportunity to produce a multitude of components and use different materials and manufacturing processes.

WMG is a research and education group based at the University of Warwick and works collaboratively with global companies to develop innovative products, services and processes. Along with its UK base, the group operates education centers and partnerships in seven countries. The Centre's aim is to help the automotive sector tap into innovative technologies, using the industrial-scale machine to develop mass-production processes for the manufacture of fiber reinforced composite components

ARBURG is offering an exciting programme as part of the campaign. Those interested in careers can take a tour of the exhibition stand in Hall A3 and find out how plastics and sustainability can be reconciled. As an example of this, an ALLROUNDER injection moulding machine will be producing small dolphins from recycled material based on old fishing nets. At the same time, two stations in the unique "arburgSOLUTIONworld" based around a large LED column will be showing videos about training at ARBURG and interesting sustainability projects by trainees. Another highlight will be Andreas Fath, the "swimming professor" from Furtwangen University, who will talk about his campaign to promote clean water and combat microplastics, and whose exciting projects are sponsored by ARBURG. Most recently, he swam the entire length of the Elbe in August and September. Visitors who want to actively participate can make their own shopping trolley chip from recycled plastic using a manually operated C1 single-lever machine built by trainees. A competition with attractive prizes also awaits young visitors to the stand.

The Engel v-duo machine was designed specifically for fiber composite applications. Compared to conventional presses, the it is 50 per cent shorter in height and about 60 per cent lighter. The large vertical machine, which is available with clamping forces from 4,000 to 36,000 kN, therefore makes it possible to create compact production cells at low investment costs.

Of course, a team of trainers and career professionals will also be on hand in Friedrichshafen. Anyone interested in a career in the plastics industry who would like to come to Fakuma on 18 or 19 October can request free tickets. For 75 years now, training and further education at ARBURG have been a central component in ensuring a successful future. The company consistently provides demand-oriented training in over 15 different training and DHBW degree programmes. The spectrum on offer covers commercial and technical professions such as industrial mechanic, technical product designer, plastics and rubber technologist, qualified personnel in warehouse logistics, and industrial clerk. Degree courses include industrial engineering, computer science, mechatronics, electrical engineering and mechanical engineering.

At Composites Europe 2015, which takes place from September 22nd to 24th in Stuttgart, Engel will be presenting the full potential of the Engel v-duo series and also guarantees visitors a look at many other current lightweight-design projects at its booth (stand D20, hall 7).

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