New representation of Sumitomo (SHI) Demag on the Czech and Slovak market

Managing Director David Svoboda presents some of the key features of the energy efficient Smart Factory-ready machines available to packaging, medical, automotive and electronic injection moulders in the region and unveils plans for a training Tech Centre located in Prague.

Benefits for Czech and Slovak customers

As part of a company-wide strategy to support customers locally and expand into key strategic markets, the new subsidiary - Sumitomo (SHI) Demag Plastics Machinery Èesko spol. s r.o – is focused on delivering future-oriented service concepts and intensive application-specific technical advice. Managing Director Svoboda comments: “Many of our new consultants have worked in plastics processing for years and really understand the specific needs of the local markets. With this combined experience, we can react to the high demand for system solutions and application-specific technologies. Our customers in the Czech Republic and Slovakia can now benefit directly from the group-wide expertise in key sectors, including medical technology, packaging, electronics and automotive.”

In 2018, annual turnover of the manufacture of rubber and plastic products in the Czech Republic reached 12.6 billion Euros. This trend, anticipates Svoboda, will continue, especially in key markets like automotive and pharmaceutical. “Being close to the customer ensures even faster response times. Having a direct line to development, project planning and production at our German parent company provides direct benefits our customers located in the Czech Republic and Slovakia," he adds.

Marking a new era for plastic manufacturers in Eastern Europe, the subsidiary is currently developing a training Tech Center within its 450 square meter HQ in Prague. Plans are already underway to build full turnkey manufacturing lines to showcase some of the company’s latest developments in precision moulding, energy efficiency, and Smart Factory connectivity.

Svoboda comments: “Sustainability, productivity, energy resources, plastic waste, Industry 4:0, big data, automation - these were all headline topics prior to the pandemic. As we embark on an economic recovery,  Sumitomo (SHI) Demag will continue to prove how we can assist plastic manufacturers to tackle these topical circular economy and efficiency challenges.”

Fully electric injection molding machine Midsize IntElect for the automotive industry

It’s no secret. Automotive has been through several years of plummeting vehicle sales. The pandemic didn’t help. Yet, automakers are optimistic that a recovery is imminent driven by developments in electric vehicles (EV) and technology advances. Already, vehicle interiors have commenced the shift towards greater comfort, convenience, driver safety and creating a sensory experience. Industry analysts predict 2021 will be the year of innovation acceleration.

To assist, Sumitomo has launched an all-electric Midsize IntElect series aimed at the automotive sector. Dynamic, precise and energy saving, the newest – an IntElect 500 ton - features direct servo drives, enabling improved repeatability and shorter cycle times. The big tie bar spacing, increase in mould height and opening stroke means that the new IntElect models can accommodate larger moulds. The result is a less energy intensive machine for automotive applications that would previously have required a larger tonnage.

 “All of the technological enhancements in the IntElect Midsize are designed to give moulders the tools, machine synchronisation, even clamp force distribution, mould safety and real-time production monitoring required for tomorrow’s automotive smart factories,” emphasises the company’s Automotive Development Director Henrik Langwald.

IntElect S injection molding machine - fast and accurate

Currently, the market for IVD is booming, especially to support the devices which perform Covid-19 tests. The main products are pipette tips and PCR-plates. Drug delivery devices still remain a stable pillar in the current economic situation.

To support this heightened demand, the Sumitomo (SHI) Demag recently launched the precision IntElect S medical package. Built for high speed and precision, the new 180-ton all-electric machine is also proven to deliver the highest repeatability and cleanliness.  Specifically, the latest generation of the IntElect S series has been designed to handle extremely narrow tolerance medical applications produced in high volumes and is cleaner, cooler, faster and quieter.

“One of the biggest point of differences is our people selling these medical IntElect systems truly understand the machinery, how the features add value, the GMP standards and other regulatory developments, as well as each customers’ unique medical applications,” says Sumitomo (SHI) Demag’s Director of Business Development Medical, Anatol Sattel.

The fastest injection molding machine in the world - El-Exis SP

Throughout Europe, Sumitomo (SHI) Demag continues to adapt its strategies and portfolio to meet new market demands. The pandemic and other crisis has made this challenging. Nevertheless, packaging remains a key focus area.  New EU regulations will have long-term consequences to the single use packaging market. Notably tethered caps fixed to bottles to address environmental littering.6

Arnaud Nomblot, Business Development Packaging comments: Thanks to our diversified machine portfolio and our high performance El-Exis SP machines, we are in the position to meet all requirements and are therefore involved in nearly all new packaging projects.”

Now in its fourth generation, the El-Exis SP is still the fastest injection moulding machine in the world, with a dry cycle time of 2.7 seconds.

The newest generation consumes up to 20% less energy than the last generation of El-Exis SP machines. This is achieved by regulating the hydraulic pressure during the loading of the accumulator. The amount of energy saved is dependent upon the packaging application, moulding cycle time and process parameters.

All-electric moulding machines from Sumitomo (SHI) Demag can be easily adapted to mould miniature plastic parts for a wide array of electronic components. Moulders are now able to achieve very high levels of repeatability while a specific 14mm screw design improves the dosing, which is critical with shot weights of typically between 0.1 gram and 1 gram.