Greater share of new energy vehicles (NEVs), increasing use of injection molding for producing larger components and more integrated multi-component applications are some significant trends that have been driving the growth of the injection molding industry, according to Gero Willmeroth, President Asia and Oceania, ENGEL Group.

ENGEL in Asia significantly increased its order intake last year compared with the previous year, benefiting from the trend towards NEVs, whose share will continue to rise, said Willmeroth.

“There are several new players in the market building up new production capacities,” he said. “The momentum may decline slightly for a few months in 2023. In the mid-term, NEVs will remain a growth driver.”

With a large machine plant in Shanghai, ENGEL also enjoys a favorable market position as larger components, such as those for the automotive lighting sector, are increasingly being produced by injection molding.

Gero Willmeroth, President Asia and Oceania, ENGEL Group.

Besides, the company sees growth potential in medical technology. “COVID made clear the pent-up demand in some areas. Production capacities are being increased for laboratory articles, insulin pens, medical devices and hospital equipment, among others,” Willmeroth explained.

At ENGEL’s booth, exhibits applicable to various industries, including the automotive, technical molding, teletronics, medical and packaging industries, are shown. One focus is the trend towards multi-cavity molds to increase productivity. Another focus is the topic of energy efficiency, which continues to gain in importance as international customers require proof of energy efficiency and sustainability of the production processes.

ENGEL duo 500 machine will be presented at CHINAPLAS. Featuring integrated ENGEL viper linear robot and coinmelt injection compression molding process, the machine is producing mirrors for head-up displays, demonstrating that even asymmetrical components can be injection molded with high precision.

The plug seals produced by e-mac 180 injection molding machine.

Another highlight is the processing of liquid silicone rubber (LSR) on an all-electric e-mac 180 injection molding machine with fairly low energy consumption. ENGEL is demonstrating the production of plug seals in a 128-cavity mold.

Thanks to the special design of ENGEL e-mac machine, large mold is applicable for a comparatively small, 180-tonne machine to increase productivity. The processor also benefits from the compact design of the machine.

The compactness of the production cell sets the tone for another machine exhibit, Teletronics. “Battery housings made of glass-fiber reinforced PC-ABS are produced on an insert 100 vertical injection molding machine here at the trade fair,” Willmeroth introduced. “For this purpose, a metal ring is inserted into the mold and then overmolded.”

The blood collection tubes made using a mold with 64 cavities.  

With injection molding machine e-mac 280, the company is addressing manufacturers of medical products at the fair. Production samples are the blood collection tubes made using a mold with 64 cavities.

In addition, the new iQ hold control assistance system is celebrating its Asian premiere at the trade fair. By automatically determining the optimum holding pressure time, the setpoint assistant accelerates set-up and increases component quality.

Willmeroth expects to greet more visitors from abroad at CHINAPLAS this year after travel restrictions were relaxed. “The post-COVID period has just begun. We see a spirit of optimism throughout the industry. This will also inspire CHINAPLAS 2023.”

Booth: 11J41