From October 12 to 16, 2021, Fill presented the latest developments from the Plastics Competence Center at the Fakuma, the world’s leading trade event for industrial plastics processing. The unique, cost-effective and innovative machine concepts attracted a great deal of interest among the international trade fair visitors. This was the Fill team’s first trade fair appearance with visitors in around a year and a half. The personal contacts, interesting conversations, and specific customer inquiries ensured a great atmosphere not only at the Fill trade fair booth in Friedrichshafen.
Friedrichshafen/Gurten, October 27, 2021 – “After a year and a half, the joy of being able to interact in person again was palpable among the visitors. The highlight of the trade fair was a structural component reinforced with particle foam for caravans. We saw the most interest from potential customers in this area,” said Wilhelm Rupertsberger, Head of the Plastics Competence Center at Fill. In addition to steam-free processing of particle foam, the machine engineering company from Upper Austria presented innovative production systems for polyurethane processing and for applying and consolidating thermoplastic tapes, as well as additive manufacturing based on CNC robots.
Steam-free processing of particle foam
Whether EPS for thermal insulation, thermoplastic reclaim or bio-based foam beads – all these particle foams require a pre-foaming process. Fill’s patented steam-free pre-foaming technology is tailored to the individual needs of the customer. The foam no longer needs to be dried before further processing. The process is precisely matched to the raw material in cooperation with research partners. The materials are then processed steam-free into functional components in variothermal molds.
Production systems for polyurethane (PU) processing
Fill’s range of services is based on the perfect integration of custom mixing and dosage technology, extraction systems and other process modules. The main focus is on flexibility and maximum plant utilization. The changing of molds and mold carriers generally has zero cycle-time impact.
Application and consolidation of thermoplastic tapes
Short cycle times, weldability and recycling are key benefits offered by thermoplastic composites, and they form a key focus of Fill’s research work. A 2D stack is developed automatically based on the 3D model. It is created at maximum speed in the MULTILAYER high-performance laying system, before being consolidated in the CONSOLIDATION UNIT.
Additive manufacturing based on CNC robots
In combination with 3D printing methods, the diverse properties of thermoplastics offer an enormous variety of possibilities for producing components. With ACCUBOT technology providing the kinematics, as well as extruders and extrusion molds adapted to the exact requirements, 3D printing can be granted additional degrees of freedom. Various options permit new ideas and approaches when designing printed components.
Corporate data
Fill is a leading international machine engineering company based in Gurten, Upper Austria. With sophisticated high-tech systems and custom manufacturing solutions for metal, plastics and wood, Fill makes its customers the best in their fields. The automotive, aviation, sports and building industries all benefit from Fill’s expertise. Since it was founded in 1966, the company has distinguished itself through enormous innovative strength, strong values and the best jobs. “If you are seeking the best solution, shape your future with Fill” is the guiding principle of the company’s more than 950 employees. “Wir sind 1! We are one!” is their vision and stands for togetherness not only with the team, but also with customers, suppliers and partners. The company is 100 percent family-owned and is managed by Andreas Fill (CEO), Martin Reiter (CSO), Alois Wiesinger (CTO) and Günter Redhammer (COO). In 2020, Fill recorded sales of around 144 million euros.
Further information can be found at: www.fill.co.at
