When Weha was looking to eliminate a series of drawbacks involving the manufacture of a sealing ring, the company turned to Heitec Heisskanaltechnik. The experts developed a mould concept using hot runner nozzles for side gating. By Bastian Schreck, Heitec.

France - French multinational, Schneider Electric, is epitomising the ‘Factory of the Future’ concept and has incorporated 3D printing technology across its manufacturing operations. This has seen the company slash the cost of producing injection mould inserts used for prototyping designs by up to 90%.

Sweden – Kraiburg TPE arrived in Northern Europe. The company will not only present its product portfolio at Plastteknik, the Scandinavian plastics fair, but it also will be present in Sweden with their own sales office.

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German manufacturer Robert Seuffer uses Stratasys 3D printed injection moulds to produce parts for functional testing in their final material. This helps to significantly reduce both, tooling costs and lead time.

3D printing – Additive manufacturing specialist Stratasys has announced at Hannover Messe 2017 that Siemens' mobility division is using Stratasys 3D printing technology to print customised parts for a German transport services provider.

Thermoplay presented a number of hot runner innovations at Fakuma 2017. Among them was the F Ø11 for special applications in cosmetic, medical and food packaging markets.

Germany – Using a Stratasys Fortus 3D Production System, France-based Volvo Trucks has reduced turnaround times of certain assembly line manufacturing tools from 36 days to two days while reducing tooling costs.

Germany – Mapal has developed a new drill, which it says has been optimised to overcome the challenges of thermoplastics drilling.