When it comes to solutions for plastic parts, Rodinger Kunststoff-Technik is a first address. From the idea to the construction of the injection moulding tool to the production of the individual part or the assembly, RKT offers complete solutions from one source. In toolmaking, Rodinger relies on tools from OSG.

Programmable materials are true shape-shifters, changing their properties in a controlled and reversible way at the touch of a button. What this means is explained here by the researchers currently working on it.

Spectroscopy by means of ultra-short waves in the terahertz range is a very promising method for volumetric testing in non-conductive materials. It has been integrated for the first time as an additional technology in a multimodal Accubot non-destructive testing (NDT) system from Fill as part of the three-year “Attic” project with international involvement run by Eureka.

At Rapid.Tech 2023 in Erfurt, AIM3D, supplier of 3D printers using the CEM (Composite Extrusion Modelling) process, will be putting the Exam 255 3D printer centre stage at the trade fair. The Exam 255 system combines high precision 3D components with high build speeds for additive manufacturing.

Polyethylene has a number of advantageous properties, but biodegradability is not one of them. A team of researchers has now developed a plastic which has similar thermoplastic properties to polyethylene but is also biodegradable.

Mencom introduces the IL-BRID lever available for all standard-size rectangular enclosures. The IL-BRID lever is designed to improve the traditional closing mechanism while achieving durability and low-wear performance by combining the thermoplastic materials' smoothness with the stainless-steel spring's sturdiness.

The tool and mould maker Siebenwurst and Mercedes-Benz rely on the Balinit Croma Plus coating from Oerlikon Balzers Coating for the processing of glass fibre reinforced plastics.

The core element of additive manufacturing has always been the 3D printer. However, with so much focus being put on 3D printers, it can be easy to lose sight of the many other important sectors that make 3D printing, especially industrial additive manufacturing, possible.

At Formnext 2022, AIM3D will be providing information on two major highlights. On the one hand, the new Voxelfill process for sustainably improving the strength properties of a layer-based 3D component and, on the other hand, the market launch of the Exam 510.

Demand for polymer materials by mass far exceeds that of metal materials for 3D printing. ID Tech Ex's new report, “Polymer Additive Manufacturing 2023-2033: Technology and Market Outlook”, finds that polymer 3D printing is moving beyond prototyping to high-value adoption by end-users, which will propel its growth to 21.1 billion dollars in 2033.