Fakuma has always represented the entire plastics technology process chain. The company is therefore well prepared for the increasing networking under the heading of „Industry 4.0“, says trade fair organiser Bettina Schall. The topic of packaging is reflected in around 35 per cent of the applications exhibited.
Trade fair organiser Bettina Schall has always focussed on the presentation of complete Process chains. In its anniversary year, she therefore believes that „Fakuma“ is well positioned for the topic of „Industry 4.0“.
pj: Fakuma is fully booked once again for its anniversary. What prevails for you: the joy about the great interest or the melancholy in view of the long waiting list of companies willing to participate?
Bettina Schall: Of course, we are delighted to be able to organise Fakuma in this fantastic format. Especially as we have been able to significantly reduce the waiting list with the additional exhibition space. We will be able to hold 1,700 exhibitors and round 85,000 square metres of gross exhibition space land. This also means that the maximum has been reached at the Friedrichshafen Exhibition Centre. Incidentally, we don't want to grow at any price, but are focussing on the qualitative expansion of the range in the interests of both trade visitors and established exhibitors.
pj: Your trade fair has already accompanied a quarter of a century of technical progress. What would a trade fair visitor from the early days at Fakuma 2017 be most amazed by?
Bettina Schall: Almost certainly via the high-level networking of individual processes to create end-to-end Process and functional chains. From the Injection moulding about the Extrusion and the Thermoforming to the 3D printing technologies and processes are becoming increasingly interlinked and are characterised above all by a very high degree of automation. If we now compare this with the innovations in mould technology and the Function integration and a simultaneous reduction in part sizes and wall thicknesses, the progress made in a comparatively short period of time really becomes tangible.
pj: On the subject of packaging and packaging machines: How do you see the role of Fakuma in this market?
Bettina Schall: The general theme Packaging plays a central role in the Fakuma portfolio. The share is likely to be around 35 per cent. Packaging reflects state-of-the-art, material- and energy-efficient plastics technology in countless applications, from blow-moulded or thermoformed products to foamed protective packaging and reusable containers in all sizes and designs. All relevant materials, moulds, production equipment and, of course, automation modules for the manufacture of all types of packaging can be found at Fakuma.
pj: Among other things, visitors will be shown the sterile packaging of medical technology components. Will other packaging solutions from the medical sector be on show?
Bettina Schall: Yes, because the areas Medical technology and Pharmaceuticals are still booming. In this area in particular, the Process chain philosophy will come to the fore at Fakuma. The topic will be highlighted in several facets. For example, the focus will first be on the injection moulding of dosing bottle components, which are then immediately Assembly processes assembled and packaged immediately. This usually takes place under clean room conditions.
pj: You have been open to the topic of 3D printing for some time now. How do you expect additive processes to develop in the future, particularly in plastics processing?
Bettina Schall: On the one hand, improved and completely new materials are opening up further applications that have not even been considered to date. On the other hand, we see great potential in processing, especially in processing speed, by using even more powerful laser or fibre laser systems. Finally, further optimisations can also be expected in terms of surface quality and the reproducible accuracy of the components.
pj: The Industry 4.0 megatrend also plays a major role at Fakuma. Let's look ahead: Will the trade fair concept have to change due to the ever-increasing networking processes?
Bettina Schall: From the very beginning, Fakuma has been on the path of „process chain presentation“ and does not want to look at individual functions and processes in isolation, but to think „outside the box“. The Plastics technology - and thus also the Fakuma - is certainly a pioneer of the „Industry 4.0“This is because networked production has been a reality in this area for years. In this respect, the trade fair concept is already fit for the future, but this does not mean that the nomenclature and trade fair strategy will not be scrutinised time and again.
