KraussMaffei and Roctool strengthen collaboration on inductive mould heating and injection moulding

Exciting surface effects can be created with Roctool's inductive moulding heating technology HD Plastics on a PX 160-540.

KraussMaffei and Roctool S.A. have signed a global collaboration agreement strengthening the companies’ cooperation on the worldwide marketing of France-based Roctool's HD Plastics - High Definition Plastics - inductive mould heating technology. Under the new agreement, KraussMaffei will be able to supply this option on the full range of its injection moulding machines, both directly or as part of KraussMaffei’s dynamic mould heating (DMH) technology.

Highly cost-efficient, the HD Plastics/DMH system delivers benefits, says KraussMaffei, that outweigh the cost of the system. The one-shot process produces components with premium-quality surfaces with no need for further decoration or painting, rendering in-mould decoration steps such as preforming, punching and feeding redundant. The technology also eliminates weld lines, flow length extension, quick cycle time and temperature limitations, making it suitable for virtually any plastic material.

KraussMaffei and Roctool have cooperated intensively for the past three years, said Mathieu Boulanger, CEO of Roctool.

“Now we want to expand our cooperation further and offer KraussMaffei customers added value with the additional option of Roctool's HD Plastics technology," he explained.

Both companies expect to open up new markets and applications as a result of the design options provided by this technology.

“We see great potential in the entertainment and communications industry, in the automotive industry, and in the sport and leisure sector," said Nadine Despineux, KraussMaffei’s vice president sales in the injection moulding machinery segment.

The companies jointly presented the technology last month during Chinaplas. The next stop is Mexico; live demonstrations will be given at the KraussMaffei Open House on July 6, 2017 in Queretaro. An all-electric PX 160-540 equipped with a Roctool 50 kw generator will showcase the versatile design options of inductive mould heating, such as different colour shading, hologram, gloss or matt effects, using a box cover as an example.