Engel to present high-performance solutions for automotive applications at Chinaplas 2026
Shanghai, China – At Chinaplas 2026, taking place from 21 to 24 April in Shanghai, the ENGEL Group places the reduction of part costs, material usage and investment in series production at the center of its trade fair presentation. The internationally operating manufacturer of injection molding solutions presents production cells that combine process steps, reduce scrap and enable stable production even with demanding materials and geometries. A total of six applications are presented in live operation, three of which are for the automotive sector. These include the cost-efficient implementation of lightweight concepts, the integration of functional and decorative surfaces directly in the injection molding process and the production of complex components with reduced space and investment requirements. Further exhibits for the packaging, medical and technical molding sectors complement the portfolio, which is designed for high volumes, short cycle times and reproducible quality.
Surface finishing directly in the injection molding process with ENGEL clearmelt technology
ENGEL presents an automotive production cell with an ENGEL duo 700 two-platen injection molding machine for a B-pillar trim with an integrated transparent camera window. In the fully automated 3K injection molding cell with 7000 kN clamping force, the B-pillar trim for the interior of passenger cars is manufactured using ENGEL clearmelt technology.
ENGEL clearmelt stands for the coating of components directly in the mold. This shortens the process chain and significantly reduces investment costs. In addition, the coating produces a high-quality and scratch-resistant surface with self-healing effects.
The component made of transparent and black polycarbonate has a part weight of 256 g and is additionally overmolded with 90 g of polyurethane. The injection molding cell is equipped with an ENGEL easix articulated robot integrated into the CC300 control, which removes the components. The total cycle time is 90 seconds.
In addition, several digital assistance systems are used in this production cell. iQ hold control automatically sets the sealing point and thus the holding pressure time optimally. This allows cycle time and raw material usage to be reduced. iQ weight control automatically adjusts the injection volume in the event of fluctuating viscosities and within the same shot, which stabilizes component quality and reduces scrap. The iQ process observer continuously monitors all phases of the injection molding process, visualizes process stability and detects deviations at an early stage before scrap occurs.
The duo two-platen injection molding machine used is designed as a wide-platen version. This makes the production solution suitable for components that require wider platens but no greater clamping force.
ENGEL fluidmelt reduces weight and material usage in automotive components
A second automotive exhibit shows the production of air intake ducts on a tie-bar-less ENGEL victory 120 injection moulding machine with 1200 kN clamping force using fluidmelt technology.
ENGEL fluidmelt produces hollow structures through the injection of water or gas. In this process, the molten core of the component is displaced into an overflow cavity or back into the plasticising unit, thereby deliberately creating a cavity within the component. Such hollow structures reduce component weight and material usage. At Chinaplas, the process is demonstrated using gas injection and overflow cavities. The component, with a shot weight of 70 g, is manufactured from a PA66 compound with 30% glass fibre in a cycle time of 50 seconds.
The production cell is automated with an ENGEL viper linear robot, which is fully integrated into the CC300 machine control. The tie-bar-less victory 120 injection moulding machine used is designed for complex and large moulds as well as for easy access by the automation, due to the freely accessible mould space. Thanks to the large platens and the tie-bar-less technology, a machine with only 1200 kN clamping force can be used instead of a conventional injection moulding machine with 1800 kN. This saves floor space and investment costs.