MuCell® Process Is Showcased at Fakuma 2012
Demonstration Parts Highlight Unique Advantages of Microcellular Foam Technology
FRIEDRICHSHAFEN, Germany - Trexel Inc., based in Wilmington, Mass., will showcase its MuCell® technology with several partner companies at the FAKUMA International Trade Fair for Plastics Processing October 16-20 in Friedrichshafen, Germany. The MuCell process will be used to manufacture two demonstration parts at the show: a mobile telephone case at the KraussMaffei stand (A7-7303) and a Frisbee flying disc at the Fraunhofer-Institut für Chemische Technologie ICT booth (B2-2104). At its booth (A4-4007), Trexel will also highlight the use of MuCell with Engel's Dolphin process to produce highly aesthetic soft-touch instrument panels for Daimler's Mercedes Actros truck.
At the KraussMaffei stand, the MuCell microcellular foam system is used on KM's GX450-3000 injection molding machine to produce a demonstration mobile phone case made of 20% glass-filled polypropylene (PP). MuCell delivers numerous benefits including reduced weight, lower mold clamping force, elimination of sink marks, and improved dimensional stability.
MuCell's performance benefits are also realized in a Frisbee flying disc produced at the Fraunhofer-Institut stand in cooperation with injection machine maker Engel Austria GmbH and Schneider Form GmbH, a German mold maker. The Frisbee is made of 20% talc-filled PP and molded on an Engel Victory EVC 440/120 injection molding machine.
Trexel also highlighted the use of MuCell to produce highly aesthetic soft-touch instrument panels for the Mercedes Actros truck using Engel's innovative one-step Dolphin decompression/expansion process. The MuCell-equipped Dolphin method represents an economic alternative for the production of hard/soft components in comparison to other conventional multi-component and foaming methods. The application is a finalist in the body interior category of the SPE Automotive Innovation Awards competition.
"MuCell is an integral piece of an enabling technology to manufacture high-quality interior soft-touch parts," said Brent Strawbridge, Trexel's vice president of North American sales. An important feature is that microcellular foaming helps to reduce total system cost by 30% to 40%.
About Trexel and the MuCell® Process The MuCell® Microcellular Foam technology from Trexel Inc. is a complete process and equipment technology that enables the production of high-quality plastic parts with significantly enhanced dimensional stability, lower weight/material, and reduced cycle time. MuCell® technology involves the introduction of precisely metered quantities of atmospheric gases (nitrogen or carbon dioxide) in the plasticizing unit of an injection molding machine to create a microcellular material structure in the end product. The creation of these microcellular structures brings a wide array of benefits including an increased part quality along with reduced production costs.
Trexel Inc. has led the development of the MuCell® Microcellular foaming technology and has pioneered many plastic processing solutions. Process deployment as well as equipment is supported by teams of highly qualified engineers through Trexel subsidiaries in North America, Europe, and Asia. For more information, visit www.trexel.com.
®MuCell is a registered trademark of Trexel Inc.
Press Contact:
Joseph Grande
413.684.2463
joe@jgrandecommunications.com
