Market and technology analysis confirms enormous potential for tape inserts in the injection molding process.
Following the finalization of a major consortial project led by the Aachen Center for Integrative Lightweight Production (AZL) and the Institute for Plastics Processing at RWTH Aachen University (IKV), the result is clear: tape inserts offer enormous potential for injection molding parts.
For suitable components, product costs and component properties can be positively influenced. “We are so
satisfied with the progress and results of the study that we have already defined several follow-up projects
and are also forming a consortium for the short-term identification and implementation of new applications,”
explains Prof. Christian Hopmann, founding professor of the AZL and head of the IKV. Both the previous
results and the planned follow-up projects are the subject of the “Technology Information Day” at K 2019, to
which the companies involved in the study, the AZL and IKV, invite all companies along the value chain, from
raw material manufacturers to injection molders to OEMs. (Date: 18th October 2019, 10:00 am to 1:30 pm,
Trade Fair Düsseldorf CCD South, Room 002).
In cooperation with 20 industrial partners, the two renowned Aachen research institutes AZL and IKV carried
out a detailed analysis of tape inserts in injection molded components over a period of eight months. The
tapes, which are a few tenths of a millimeter thick, are continuous fibers, typically made of glass or carbon,
completely impregnated and embedded in a thermoplastic matrix. The tapes can be precisely aligned to the
loads in a component and are used primarily in high-performance applications with the aim of weight reduction. The aim of the conducted analysis was the identification of potential applications and the estimation of
a wider range of applications. “We know that the integration of small amounts of high performance tapes into
typical injection molded parts can contribute significantly to material savings in their manufacture. Lightweight
construction is only a secondary effect, one of the main drivers for establishing the technology is cost reduction,” says Dr. Kai Fischer.
The project was divided into several phases: Phase I was used to identify the current status. In 20 interviews
with representative companies of the injection molding industry, the researchers gathered why tape inserts
have rarely been taken into account so far, when defining the material concepts to be analyzed. The lack of
information about the material class, the procedure and tools for the development process and the necessary
production technologies were cited as major challenges. This is where the consortium will take action and
provide comprehensive information during the “Technology Information Day” on the extensively prepared
state of the art and the high degree of maturity of the supply chain. Based on the status quo, they developed
a methodology for analyzing the technological and economic potential of tape inserts in injection molding
applications. “Our analysis clearly underlined the potential of the tape inserts. With them, the material performance can be increased. Therefore, component costs can be saved by using cheaper injection molding
compounds or less material or by optimizing the cycle time of the production process,” Dr. Michael Emonts
summarizes the promising results. “It is also advantageous that the process sequence with tape inserts is certainly comparable with in-mold labeling processes, so that some existing automation technology can be used”.
The consortium, among others consisting of Asahi Kasei Europe GmbH, BASF SE, Borealis AG, BÜFA
Thermoplastic Composites GmbH & Co. KG, ENGEL AUSTRIA GmbH, Huesker Synthetic GmbH, LG
Hausys R&D Center, Mitsui Chemicals, Nippon Electric Glass, Polyscope Polymers BV, POLYTEC GROUP,
Simcon kunststofftechnische Software GmbH, SABIC and Toray International Europe GmbH, is inviting to
the “Technology Information Day” at K 2019. The goal is to inform about the technology and to identify topics
for future collaboration. The event will also be a platform for bringing together partners to develop the market
and to cooperate within technological development projects.
Last article that published about AZL activities at this channel was: Presentation of Lightweight Processes And Equipment During AZL Open Day
