People take center stage at the VDWF-WBA "Toolmaking Practice Forum": Innovations between economy and ecology
On September 24, the Applied Plastics Technology department at Schmalkalden University of Applied Sciences hosted the latest VDWF-WBA Toolmaking Practice Forum. Around 100 interested industry representatives came together at the event, which was held under the motto "People as a solution", to listen to exciting presentations and exchange ideas with experts.
The challenges facing companies in the tool and mold making industry have been many and varied in recent years. The topic of sustainability in particular is becoming increasingly important and the industry has to position itself in the area of conflict between economy and ecology. However, it would be wrong to see these topics as being in opposition to each other; rather, the pressure can and should be taken as an impetus for innovative changes, according to a conclusion of the latest Toolmaking Practice Forum, which was jointly organized by the VDWF and the WBA Aachen Toolmaking Academy at Schmalkalden University.
Thomas Seul, Professor of Production Engineering and Tool Design at Schmalkalden University of Applied Sciences and President of the VDWF, focused on people in his welcoming address, in keeping with the motto of the event. According to Seul, well-trained problem solvers are needed to solve technological, economic and ecological challenges, for example from application-oriented engineering courses such as plastics technology.
Recyclates and eco-effectiveness as problem solvers
The first lecture dealt with the solution to a specific problem. Frank Schockemöhle from Pöppelmann spoke on the topic of "Reducing greenhouse gas emissions through the use of recyclates" and explained that the family business from Lohne had set itself the goal of designing its production as a sustainable circular economy. This is to be implemented in a multi-stage strategy. Among other things, it is necessary to consider subsequent recyclability right from the product design stage and to design objects to be as pure as possible.
In the second presentation, WBA Managing Director Dr. David Welling spoke of a multiple crisis in tool and mould making, which could be counteracted with the eco-effectiveness approach. Economic and environmental challenges can often be overcome with one and the same solution - as long as it is well thought out. One example of this is the response to high energy costs: by making production even more efficient, not only can economic benefits be achieved, but greenhouse gas emissions can also be reduced at the same time.
Savings thanks to multi-panel technology and foaming
Klaus Sammer, Head of Product and Process Planning, and Thomas Kopp, Development Engineer, then took the audience on a video tour of the BMW light metal foundry in Landshut. The aluminium die casting process used at BMW has been refined more and more over time: the multi-plate tool technology recently developed in Landshut, for example, now allows the design of components to be optimized in terms of function instead of flow path. This allows both material and weight to be saved.
In plastic injection molding, material can also be saved by foaming. Uwe Kolshorn from the Kunststoff-Institut Lüdenscheid drew attention to this and other advantages of this process in his presentation. He referred to a "different way of thinking" in plastic foaming, which involves, for example, keeping the characteristics of the foam in mind when designing the components in order to be able to take advantage of the benefits offered.
A network meeting in turbulent times
The lively presentation by Christen Merkle, Managing Director of hydraulic cylinder specialist AHP Merkle, was an emotional one. He focused on the contrast between our increasingly uncertain economic, political and social times and the desire on the part of companies for long-term predictability. Merkle is aware of his own social responsibility and acts accordingly as an entrepreneur: during the corona pandemic, for example, he decided against measures such as short-time working and instead focused more on research and development - a decision from which his company is now benefiting.
Stephan Hoffmann, Managing Director of Formconsult from Schmalkalden, concluded the evening with a presentation that led to a tour of the company. Hoffmann explained the three pillars on which his company's toolmaking business rests. These include firstly the areas of development, design and simulation, secondly the tool and mold making itself and thirdly the technical center for quality assurance.
As a comprehensive network meeting, the Practical Toolmaking Forum offers participants not only interesting presentations, but also the opportunity to exchange ideas across company boundaries. This is made possible by the friendly help of partners from industry (FDU Hotrunner, HoliMaker, Meusburger, Moulding Expo, Partool and Process Gardening). In addition, the Applied Plastics Technology (AKT) at Schmalkalden University of Applied Sciences also opened its doors and gave participants a detailed insight into the practical research activities at the site.
