Extrusion International 5-2023

46 Extrusion International 5/2023 FAKUMA 2023 Increased Flexibility. Reduced Energy Consumption – Innovative Solutions for Thermoformed Technical Parts At Fakuma 2023 ILLIG will be presenting a comprehen- sive portfolio of solutions and machines with a focus on the forming of technical plastic parts. Under the motto “Performance for a sustainable future”, the company will present high-performance thermoforming systems with roll and sheet loading for the cost-efficient produc - tion of precise formed parts. ILLIG has a new machine in its portfolio in Friedrichshafen: the UAF, newly presented this year, with flexible clamping frames and integrated preheating and finish heating. Development here was focused on flexibility and reduced energy consumption. The fields of application for the technical parts pro - duced using the thermoforming process range from e- mobility or classic automotive and commercial vehicle applications, through to transport and logistics solu - tions, caravans, sanitary and household. Weight-opti - mised car body parts or battery covers can be formed cost-effectively from plastic, for example. ILLIG has two systems to meet different requirements in its portfolio: the UAF and UAg sheet processing ther- moforming machines. The entirely newly developed sheet processing thermoformingmachineUAF launched at the beginning of 2023 with its flexible clamping frames is the number-one choice when it comes to flex - ible production of small to medium batch sizes with frequent tool changes. Developed from scratch, the machine has an automatic sheet loading system and an integrated preheating and finish heating system that realises shorter cycle times and guarantees an optimum forming process. The UAF is available in four sizes for all standard sheet formats. For this newly developed machine, special emphasis was placed on an energy-efficient design: servo motors, regenerative drives, preheating and an efficient heat - ing system all add up to reduced energy consumption and therefore lower energy costs per formed part. A tool change on the UAF is possible in under 30 minutes. Forming tools made by market competitors can now be used, too. For post-processing, ILLIG offers various op - tions and handling systems via partners. With the UAF, the system supplier with its own toolmaking unit con- tinues to pursue its path towards higher performance, enhanced sustainability and increased flexibility. ILLIG offers a proven sheet processing thermoforming system in the form of the UAg. ILLIG’s UAg has always stood for very short cycle times and maximum output, and it continues to set the benchmark here. Combining the UAg with fixed clamping frames enables the very highest final vacuum levels to be achieved. The final vacuum level is directly reflected in the sharpness of the formed part. The UAg series covers forming areas from 270 x 170 mm to 2,450 x 1,450 mm with drawing depths of up to 700 mm. This means it is particularly suitable for formed parts in large batch sizes. Automation via a sheet or roll loading unit is possible with all UAgmachine types. Most recently, ILLIG has worked with its customers to optimise the machine and process configuration of the UAg series in order to achieve maximum output. For ex- ample, considerably higher cycle times can be achieved by using a third heating station. With an investment of 25% of the total cost for this extension, it is possible to increase the performance of the machine by up to 90%. Tool changes on the UAg have been optimised, too. The so-called quick tool change can be carried out within 15 to 20 minutes with a package combining upper tool, clamping frame set and lower tool. The UAg machines with fixed clamping frames can be configured to suit individual customer requirements. They offer a cost-efficient entry-level option as well as a wide range of upgrade options to create a high-end modular system. Here, too, ILLIG offers new possibili - ties with regard to energy consumption: for example, the main axes can be fitted with servo motors instead of pneumatic drives. With the RDF 85 and the RV series, ILLIG shows that technical formed parts such as transport trays can also be produced using classic thermoforming systems with roll loading. Roll processing enables initial thicknesses of the semi-finished products up to a maximum of 2.5 mm. The benefits here lie in low tool acquisition costs and high arti- cle output (forming pressure: 6 bar in the RDF 85, 1 to 3 bar in the RV machines). With the RDF 85 from the ILLIG RedLine segment, formed parts for different requirements can be produced cost-effectively – to ILLIG’s customary stan- ILLIG sheet processing thermoforming machine UAF