Formnext has hit the ground running in 2023 with the highest number of registrations to date. By the end of February, more than 550 companies had signed up to attend the trade show for AM technologies and next-generation manufacturing; 62 percent of them from outside Germany.

Oerlikon HRS Flow has developed special hot runner solutions for PCR compounds. Their application possibilities are demonstrated by two examples realised in practice — a fruit crate and a garbage can for composting organic household waste.

Long since, diamonds — preferably polycrystalline synthetic diamonds (PCD) — have established themselves as abrasives or in machining. Why should diamonds as wear protection for tool and grinding machines be only available to a small, pro-active user group?

In addition to numerous new and further developments, digitisation will be one of Hasco’s main areas of focus during the Moulding Expo. User-friendly tools, an update of the Hasco App, interesting CAD features and other digital services will be presented live on Stand 1/G53.

There are three major challenges that need to be mastered in 2023: securing supply chains, achieving climate neutrality and countering the shortage of skilled workers. Find out how these hurdles affect the product creation process and thus designers and developers, and which technologies support them in overcoming them.

Lawrence Engineering is renowned for its precision, quality and speed in the manufacture of tools and medical components. Recent investments in Roeders machining centres and automation systems are optimising their production, reducing lead times and improving product quality.

Press technology instead of injection moulding: Exhibiting at DKT in Nuremberg, Germany, Wickert Maschinenbau will demonstrate how high-quality elastomer moulded parts can be produced economically in both, large and small volumes.

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.

In Eltville am Rhein, Germany, Jean Müller develops and produces around 40,000 components for distributing, controlling, securing and measuring electrical energy in low-voltage networks. For handling particularly heavy punch press tools for manufacturing a new product series, the company invested in a complete die changing system from Roemheld.

In-mould electronics is an emerging manufacturing methodology for producing backlit, touch-sensitive surfaces, removing the need for costly and possibly unsightly mechanical switches. Components become lighter, less complex and are simpler to produce. ID Tech Ex explored some of the main players and their differing business models.