Engel: PCR recycled components with a high-quality surface

The key to the high surface quality of the recycled component is in the interaction of future-oriented machine and tool technologies. The all-electric Engel e mac injection moulding machine works with mould temperature control based on induction technology from Roctoolwhich enables outstanding moulding precision and the highest surface quality. The new energy-efficient, compact and air-cooled Roctool generators will be used at the K.

A further contribution to the high quality of recyclate processing is made by the intelligent assistance systems from Engel's inject 4.0 programmewith which the e-mac machine is equipped. These include iQ weight control, which recognises fluctuations in the raw material and automatically adjusts the injection profile, switchover point and holding pressure to the current conditions in the same cycle. As recycled materials are generally subject to greater batch fluctuations than virgin material, iQ weight control achieves a significant advantage in this application. This has a particularly great effect on consistently high product quality. At the same time, iQ melt control improves the homogeneity of the plastic melt by automatically setting the plasticising time to the optimum value for the application.

For manufacturers of household appliances, white goods, consumer electronics and telecommunications, the application presented at K demonstrates the great potential for the circular economy. The proportion of new goods can be significantly reduced, in the best case to zero. Many manufacturers are already taking back old appliances in order to recycle them and return them to production. With the combination of Roctool induction technology and digital assistance from Engel, it is now possible to The company can also produce sophisticated housing parts with a very thin, complex geometry economically and sustainably from post-consumer recyclate.