Injection Moulding Asia Country Focus
China’s machinery market buoyed by sector growth China’s injection moulding machinery
market, which accounts for 40% of the country’s share of machinery, is set to grow on the back of the growth of the automotive and consumer electronics
sectors. All this bodes well for injection
moulding machinery makers at Chinaplas 2018, to be held in a new venue in
Shanghai this year, from 24-27 April.
Arburg will show in China for the first time its ProFoam physical foaming technique
A
ccording to IHS Markit, plastics machinery in China will witness a CAGR of 11.7% from 20162021; while rubber machinery will grow at a CAGR of 11.2% over the same period. By 2021, plastics and rubber machinery will be valued at around US$12.7 billion and US$6 billion, respectively. The growth will trickle down to the injection moulding machinery sector, which is the core equipment of plastic machinery in the country, with an output value accounting for about 40%, with machinery widely used in general purpose plastics applications, says IHS Markit. Teik Chuan Goh, an analyst at IHS Markit, said, “Strong developments in the eco/green automobiles sector and the consumption, as well as demand, of 3C (computer, communication and consumer electronics) products will be the main drivers for this sector.”
Meanwhile, medical technology is also an important market for Arburg that is characterised by high growth rates. An Allrounder 370E Golden Electric will be used at Chinaplas to demonstrate that the entrylevel electric series is also suitable for precision Y connectors for intravenous drip therapy, with a twocavity mould from Wellmei. The moulded parts made from PC are removed and set down by a Multilift Select linear robotic system. Furthermore, Arburg being a pioneer in the processing of liquid silicone (LSR), it will demonstrate an Allrounder 420C Golden Edition producing flexible LSR cases for the iPhone 8. The mould is provided by Prover, while the LSR dosing unit comes from 2 KM. A Multilift Select linear robotic system performs the handling tasks. A Freeformer and a variety of functional components will be used to demonstrate that Arburg Plastic Freeforming (APF) is not only suitable for prototyping but also for the industrial additive manufacturing of functional components. The exhibit will process qualified standard PP and the water-soluble support material Armat 12 to produce functional cable clips with delicate yet durable structures.
Catering to lightweight parts through technology Against the back of the continuing trend in China towards lightweight parts for the automotive sector, at Chinaplas 2018, Germany’s Arburg will be presenting the ProFoam physical foaming technology in China for the first time. It will exhibit a hybrid Allrounder 570H with a size 800 injection unit that will be producing a component for passenger car engine compartments. Processing involves fibre-reinforced materials (PA66, 30 GF). With its fine cell structures, the ProFoam part is characterised by low weight, few sink holes, uniform shrinkage and greatly reduced distortion. A granulate lock ensures a continuous feed of material and gaseous blowing agent. As well as a version with a capacity of 1 l, Arburg also offers a 5 l granulate lock for size 1300 to 4600 injection units.
Machinery makers cater to Asia’s demand Asia is one of the most important markets for the Austrian/German Wittmann Group, as it has manufacturing in China. Therefore, its subsidiary company Wittmann Battenfeld will present a twocomponent MicroPower machine producing a sensor component for a medical measuring instrument with a four-cavity mould supplied by Wittner, Austria. 1
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