REP reports increased interest at K2019

Corbas, France – REP has reported a 5% increase in the number of visitors to its booth at K2019, compared to the 2016 staging of the Dusseldorf plastics & rubber trade fair.

Sustainability issues were a factor, with attendees keen to discuss new challenges and requirements around e-mobility within the automotive industry, the rubber moulding machine maker said 12 Dec.

In this area, Corbas, Lyon-based REP demonstrated a new process developed in response to significant growth in demand for fuel-cell technologies.

The V410 Extended LSR 160t moulding unit, operated within a fully automatic robotic cell, was said to meet strict requirements for flash-less moulding – especially with precise shot-sizing and low injection volumes.

Another attraction was REP’s CMX1 machine with a clamping force of 160 tonne. Configured for dual-compound operation, the CMX1 on display featured the first-time addition of a second electric injection unit.

Designed to meet the materials-management requirements of the pharma industry, this equipment is said to be suitable for "clean production environments, while using resources intelligently and sustainably.”

Visitors to K2019 were also interested in the four-station capabilities, where injection moulding, curing and demoulding operations can be performed simultaneously either for identical parts or those requiring different compound volumes. 

REP also noted significant interest in its Industry 4.0 software developments and REP Net 4.0. Based on the OPC/UA communication standard, latter provides for data exchange with MES, ERP and other management systems.

The REP Net 4.0 system was demonstrated on current-generation units at REP’s K2019 booth, though it is also suitable for older machines.