The Eurecat technology centre was at the Hannover Messe 2021 digital trade fair, a world showcase for Industry 4.0 and new industrial technologies, where it unveiled state-of-the art innovations including plastronics applications in advanced manufacturing and a new ISF (Incremental Sheet Forming) device for prototyping and manufacturing one-of-a-kind sheet metal parts or short production runs in complex shapes.
The main purpose of the ISF technology Eurecat has shown at the fair “is to produce one-off parts or short production runs without using costly forming tools,” says Xavier Plantà, the director of Eurecat’s Industrial Division. “It has obvious applications in transport such as the automotive, aeronautical, shipbuilding, rail, equipment and capital goods industries. Plus it also has potential for exclusive production of one-of-a-kind parts in architecture and interior design and in metalworking industries.”
Eurecat also unveiled plastronics applications designed to “drive design and connectivity in sectors such as the automotive industry. This new technology makes plastic products less complex by using fewer parts and consequently reducing weight.”
Plastronics, also known as In-Mould Electronics, makes it possible to manufacture, for example, touch controls providing interactive feedback, hidden pushbuttons and plastic parts with built-in sensors along with more innovative and environmentally resistant components and products by integrating a range of features which conventionally call for several components and assembly operations.
Plastronics also enables automation of coupling processes and makes it possible to embed electronics in complex geometries and parts in complex 3D shapes in a single, vertically integrated process. It additionally means increased functionality and longer life for the electronics as they are encapsulated and shielded.
Another of the technologies Eurecat showcased at the fair is CFIP (Continuous Fiber Injection Process), a new post-process it has developed and patented and which allows parts to be reinforced with continuous fibres, thus greatly increasing strength and reducing weight. It has also displayed its new SEBIT (Suction Extrusion Blow Injection Technology) and an innovation for predicting and preventing edge cracking using a simple stress test.
Eurecat’s International Market business manager Raffaele Caminati spoke at the ‘Industry 4.0 capabilities in Catalonia’ webinar arranged by Catalonia Trade & Investment at the Hannover Messe 2021 Digital Trade Fair to showcase the technology centre’s advanced Industry 4.0 solutions and technologies. Eurecat was also a member of the Industry 4.0 Virtual Business Mission at the fair led by Catalonia Trade & Investment.
