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Inductive injection tool heating technology expert Roctool is featuring its technology for rapid molding of composites and other plastic components at multiple booths during NPE, including the company's own (S15033) and those of injection machine builders KraussMaffei (W903) and Engel (W1303). The parts produced at these booths feature high gloss and no indications of weld lines or sink marks.

March 20, 2015

2 Min Read
NPE 2015: Inductive tool heating produces high gloss, defect free surface finish in quick time

Inductive injection tool heating technology expert Roctool is featuring its technology for rapid molding of composites and other plastic components at multiple booths during NPE, including the company's own (S15033) and those of injection machine builders KraussMaffei (W903) and Engel (W1303). The parts produced at these booths feature high gloss and no indications of weld lines or sink marks. 

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This console trim part is being molded at Engel's booth (W1303) using RocTool technology.

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RocTool is also demonstrating its tool inductive heating technology at its own booth (S15033).

At the KraussMaffei booth, small appliance parts are being molded on a KM180-750AX press outfitted with a MuCell microcellular foam injection molding capability. The mold was supplied by Proper Tooling. Further, an Engel 2550/550 machine is being used to produce an automotive part in collaboration with +GF+ (Georg Fischer) and Bayer MaterialScience at the Engel stand.

On its own stand (S15033), meanwhile, RocTool is molding an electronic box/hub that undergoes a laser texturing (etching) process (technology from +GF+) to apply decorative patterns. The component is molded from Sabic Innovative Plastics materials on a KraussMaffei KM160-380CX press. Upon removal from the mold, the part shows no sign of weld lines or sink marks according to Roctool. This reportedly demonstrates one of the strengths of RocTool's technologies, namely to be able to make attractive parts directly from the mold, thereby obviating the requirement for post-process finishing steps.

RocTool is also introducing RocTool Ready to the market at NPE, aiming to simplify access to the supplier's premium technologies, which are already reportedly well established in the market. "RocTool is proposing a new simplified commercial offer, available to large organizations and SMEs alike: a plug-and-play concept marketed within a package that includes a product feasibility study, technology license, installation and training," explains Stéphane Hersen, CEO of RocTool. Furthermore, RocTool has put an ecosystem in place which includes software vendors, injection machine manufacturers, mold makers and resin and composite material suppliers. "In other words, it is up to us to provide additional means of measuring interest in our technologies, from the simulation step, to promoting optimization of its use, and integrating each step of product development," concludes Hersen.

Processes developed by RocTool are already in use at industry leaders such as Motorola, Flextronics, Mini Cooper, and Volvo. They reportedly possess numerous advantages including reduced cycle times and enhanced quality, resulting in an overall cost reduction.

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