ARBURG and SKZ have a long-standing partnership in the areas of education, research, and industrial services. Joint activities range from injection molding courses on ARBURG machines to the production of test specimens and tool trials, right through to the development of new processes.

To mark the reopening of the technical center, SKZ was represented on site with its own mold, an additively manufactured gripper, and an inline quality assurance system.

Innovative 2K mold with integrated inline quality assurance in use
The Frisbee mold, manufactured by GHD-Präzisionsformenbau in Rügland, is designed as a transfer mold. A gripper developed at SKZ and printed using the SLS process picks up the pre-shot part – an inner ring made of polycarbonate (PC) – and transfers it to the second cavity, where it is overmolded with thermoplastic elastomer (TPS).

Both the tool and the hot runner are based entirely on products from Meusburger – as is the external temperature controller profiTEMP+ used.

Immediately after demolding, the handling system positions the finished ring in front of a thermal camera from Mikro-Epsilon Messtechnik. This records the complete temperature distribution of the component. The thermogram generated is compared with a reference image (good part). The difference is used to calculate a pixel-precise image, with each point on the surface acting as a virtual temperature sensor.

In this way, even the smallest temperature deviations can be detected, enabling early identification of areas with excess or insufficient injection, incorrectly positioned inserts, or process instabilities. Errors resulting from temperature control problems, tool wear, or changed injection molding parameters can also be detected efficiently and cost-effectively.

Thermography-based quality assurance also used in TPE training
The setup described above is also used in SKZ training courses on thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) and is supplemented by a second tool for producing adhesion test specimens.

The adhesion between hard and soft components is particularly dependent on the process temperatures. The 2K adhesion test specimens manufactured in accordance with VDI 2019 and ISO 813-2 can be produced with significantly greater reproducibility thanks to the thermography system – one reason being that the thermal settling phase after the start of production or after malfunctions can be measured easily and precisely.

Additive gripper manufacturing: Efficient solutions for complex removal processes
Additive manufacturing gripper systems are the ideal solution for demanding component removal and handling tasks. Directly printed and integrated functions – such as air or vacuum channels, spring mechanisms, or centering aids – enable the production of particularly lightweight, compact, and functionally integrated grippers.

These can be precisely tailored to the component in question and also offer the advantage that no damage occurs in the event of accidental contact with the tool.

Successful opening – a strong signal for the future
Christoph Mussauer, Head of the Injection Molding Technical Center at SKZ, draws a positive conclusion:

"The opening ceremony was a great success, and the new premises are really impressive. We had many good discussions on the day and wish Johannes Herbst and his team all the best and many successful customer projects."

Interested companies can obtain further information on training courses, industrial services, and joint development opportunities from SKZ.

The Frisbee ring tool used is also available for testing or the production of giveaways.