Machines and plant for plastics processing. An industry overview.

Christian Schäfer | 9. April 2020

The plastics processing industry is manifold. Whether in injection moulding machines, blow moulding machines, extruders or presses, plastics are processed into very different products.

The generic term plastics machinery includes all machines, plant and equipment for the processing of plastic raw material into bar stock and finished components. The raw material can exist in different forms. Mostly granulates are processed but also powders and liquids.

The processing methods

Primary processing methods are injection moulding, blow moulding, extrusion as well as compression and injection moulding. Plastic injection moulding is the most widely used primary processing method. About one third of all plastics are processed on injection moulding machines.
Other processing methods of plastics are rotational moulding, thermoforming, calendering, coating, casting, cutting, welding and so on.

Plastic processing machines and igus motion plastics

Last October, the world’s largest plastics trade show in Düsseldorf, the K, impressively demonstrated the advantages of plastics for a variety of industries. Plastics are impressive because of their combination of good performance and efficient use of resources. But these advantages also bring challenges and responsibility for the plastics processing industry. Solutions for a functioning recycling economy and innovative recycling concepts must be found.

Consequently, the concepts, machines and systems for plastics processing are changing and constantly creating new applications, but also challenges, for igus motion plastics.

The igus products can be found in a variety of machines and equipment for the plastic and rubber industry. This includes machines and plant for processing, machines and equipment for treatment and recycling, handling and downstream machines as well as peripherals and plant for process automation.
From the energy chain and moving chainflex cables up to dry-tech plain bearings, all product groups are used in the plastic processing machinery. The goal is always to reduce costs and improve technology.

With cost-effective automation solutions and smart plastics , igus also addresses the key topic Plastic Industry 4.0 and system integration. See for yourself: igus solutions for the plastics and rubber industry …