Euromold moves beyond mould making

Euromold organiser Demat expects this year's event - which takes place in Frankfurt in Germany on 2-5 December - to attract a similar attendance to last year, despite the challenging economic environment. It is hoping that some 60,000 people will be drawn to the event, which is expected to have close to 1,500 exhibitors.

The show has grown considerably beyond the traditional mould and tool making industries that gave it its name. This year there will again be strong representation from the rapid prototyping and the evolving rapid manufacturing sectors.

These additive layer technologies will also be one of the themes of the Euromold forum programme on 4 December, with Terry Wohlers of the Wohlers Associates consultancy presenting a paper on "the future of manufacturing".

In his latest sector report, Wohlers predicts that this industry will double in size by 2015. He estimates the global market was valued at $1.18bn (€800m) in 2008.

The Euromold fair also provides a venue for manufacturers of machine tools, mould components and CAD and CAM software to show off their latest innovations, while providers of model-making, digitising and design services are also represented in force.

Almet Hall 8, Stand A110

Düsseldorf-headquartered Almet returns to Euromold with its range of aluminium tool alloys. Compared to steel, its calculations show 20-40% savings in injection mould tool cost and up to 50% weight and time savings by producing aluminium moulds using high speed cutting techniques.

Almet is showing its new Alumould 1-500 aluminium mould sheet material at the fair, which is available in thickness up to 700mm. It claims the material displays almost constant strength through to the core of the sheet.

Alpina Technische Produkte Hall 11.0, Stand C121

Silicone mould producer Alpina Technische Produkte says it has invested in more staff and expanded laboratory facilities since its last showing.

The focus of the company's display is its Kšraform A41 and Kšraform A42 silicone elastomers, which are used to create tooling by casting around original sterolithography models. According to Alpina, the high mechanical properties of the elastomers means a relatively high number of parts can be produced from these moulds, depending on the reproduction materials used.

EOS Hall 11.0, Stand C08

Rapid prototyping and manufacturing equipment and materials supplier EOS (Electro Optical Systems) shows the Magics e-RP project and process management software, developed by Materialise to assist in "streamlining" e-Manufacturing.

EOS is using the software to produce laser-sintered components used in its commercial laser-sintering equipment, which the company says is a prime example of e-Manufacturing in practice.

The company will also focus on productivity benefits in injection moulding though the use of direct metal laser sintering (DMLS) to produce mould inserts with close contour cooling channels.

FIT Hall 11, Stand B108

Additive layer prototyping production service company FIT has doubled its stand area at this year's show, underlining its growing business in prototypes, tools and small series components.

The company has also recently set up two subsidiary companies: Netfabb provides additive technology software; Sintermask develops and markets additive layer production equipment for plastics components using the selective mask sintering process.

Netfabb will show its latest software while Sintermask will preview its first selective mask sintering equipment, which will be commercially available in 2010.

FKM Sintertechnik Hall 11.0, Stand D28

Prototyping company FKM Sintertechnik claims to be the first to take on the EOS P800 selective laser sintering (SLS) system and associated Victrex PEEK HT material and it will be focusing on progress in this area at the show.

FKM says that the layered generative fabrication technology used in the P800 system represents "the first low-priced production alternative to conventional methods such as injection moulding or machining" of PEEK.

The company says that the only design limitation is the equipment work area, which measures 700mm by 380m by 560 mm. Layer thickness of 0.12mm is said to ensure high dimensional accuracy, while surface quality can be enhanced with further finishing if required.

FKM sees potential in typical PEEK applications such as tank lids, roller bearing cages, rotor vanes or media-conducting connector elements.

Hasco Hall 8.0, Stand F27

The latest products from mould components specialist Hasco include its 1.2099 corrosion-resistant chromium stainless steel, designed as an alternative to 1.2085 but with better machining properties. Hasco is also showing its P8000 series of high-performance Toolox 33 and Toolox 44 steel grades, which are said to offer improved machining.

Also new from Hasco is the Z178 series of round latch locking units and Z80700 safety couplings. These join an extensive range of mould components, including the compact Z1680 pneumatic ejector coupling for easy mould set-up, two-stage ejectors, transmission elements and collapsible cores.

Cooling elements are also available for improved temperature control through increased dissipation of heat from the cavity. Cycle times can be optimised using Hasco's close contour laser sintered cooling channels, says the company. Hasco will also show its latest hot runner needle valves for difficult gating applications.

Hauzer Techno Coating Hall 8.0, Stand A31

Among the latest innovations from physical vapour deposition (PVD) coating equipment producer Hauzer Techno Coating is its HIPIMS+ High Power Impulse Magnetron Sputtering system, claimed to produce dense, defect-free coatings.

The company will also show its tough PVD aluminium oxide coatings, which can be applied in layers up to 5 microns at much lower temperatures than with chemical vapour deposition (CVD), as well as a Nitrocoat Duplex treatment that provides plasma nitriding and PVD deposition in one process step.

Linbrunner Thermoformung Hall 9.0, Stand B147

Thermoforming specialist Linbrunner Thermoformung shows two innovative twin-sheet applications at the fair.

The exhibits include hollow items with enclosed interior components and thermoformed parts with a sandwich construction. Among its wide range of twin-sheet applications, Linbrunner has produced parts that are used in the construction of solar roof tiles.

Linbrunner describes the twin-sheet thermoforming process as environmentally friendly, as the combination of two thermoformed sheets takes place simultaneously within an already heated thermoforming tool.

Materialise Hall 11.0, Stand C62

Belgian rapid prototyping service bureau Materialise has added two further stereolithography (SLA) materials to its range.

It now offers customers Accura Xtreme, a material first introduced by SLA equipment and materials supplier 3D Systems in 2007 which is said to provide properties similar to ABS and polypropylene, and Ultem 9085 polyetherimide (PEI) from Sabic Innovative Plastics.

Objet Geometries Hall 11.0, Stand C92

Following last year's launch of the Connex500 3D printing machine, Objet Geometries now introduces the Connex350 machine with a smaller build tray size of 350mm by 350mm by 200mm.

Connex machines are able to simultaneously print multiple materials from the company's range of FullCure photopolymers, which can have different mechanical and physical properties. This makes it possible to directly produce parts with hard and soft components, allowing production of prototype parts simulating two-component injection moulding.

OBO Werke Hall 11, Stand B88

Polyurethane sheet, cast block and casting producer OBO_ Werke shows Obomodulan, a close contour PU foam material suitable for model and pattern making.

Obomodulan is said to be characterised by a homogeneous closed surface and fine cell internal structure. There are19 different grades available in sizes up to 2000mm by 1000mm by 200mm.

With a low co-efficient of thermal expansion, Obomodulan can be used for styling and conceptual models, laminating tools, deep drawing tools, master models for data verification, and fixture gauge checking.

The Materialise Accura motorcross helmet