Engel has fully integrated Trexel's MuCell microcellular foam technology into injection molding machines in its victory and e-victory series, a move the company says will "considerably improve the price-performance ratio of system solutions for foam injection molding."

The full integration includes both the hardware and the software, with no additional space required, since the compact control cabinet of the MuCell foam unit is completely enclosed by the guarding below the injection unit.

The foaming process is built into the CC 200 control unit of the injection molding machine and is monitored and regulated via the machine's display. In addition, a nitrogen consumption calculator has been added to the unit, making it possible to schedule bottle changes in advance. Since the MuCell unit does not require visualization of its own, the integration also reduces initial system costs.

Engel says the tiebarless clamp design of the victory and e-victory machines make them ideal for MuCell since foam applications generally require lower clamping force, although the molds are relatively large. Engel believes a victory machine with 500 tons of clamping force could replace a large-scale Engel duo machine, for example, with 700 tons of clamping force since the usable mold mounting surface is the same in both machines.

Engel and Trexel said the integrated solution is the result of an exclusive partnership, wherein Engel is solely responsible for global sales and service, with plans to add victory MuCell packages to its worldwide spare parts centers. Engel has multiple victory MuCell systems available for customer trials in its technical centers around the world, with training courses offered.

Trexel's president and CEO, Steve Braig became the president and CEO of Trexel in April 2010, after leaving the same post at Engel's North American operations.