Arburg responded to the Coronavirus crisis early with prudence and knowhow. The Germany-based machinery manufacturer based therefore considers itself well-positioned for success after the pandemic.
Arburg
Arburg continues to innovate despite Coronavirus
The high-quality LSR and PP mouth and nose mask was developed by Arburg itself and realised with partners
Production and innovative solutions for injection moulding, industrial additive manufacturing and digitalisation are progressing and, in order to contain the pandemic, Arburg has produced high-quality PPE very quickly at its headquarters in Lossburg.
Several projects to help contain the Coronavirus have been initiated quickly, with four injection moulding machines and turnkey systems producing high-quality safety goggles and multifunctional LSR masks. These were distributed to employees and medical facilities in the region. The two sophisticated applications also show how the original Arburg knowhow in automation and digitalisation can contribute to increasing production efficiency.
Safety goggles ready to wear
Because it was possible to build on the experience of K 2019, Arburg had already presented the fully automated production of sunglasses. Through collaboration, the machinery could also be used to produce safety goggles, using the same tools and the same design. Ems agreed to the use of the tool and Uvex made the goggles. Since April, safety goggles have been produced in Lossburg and thus bottlenecks during the pandemic have been eliminated.
The goggles are produced in one piece on an electric Allrounder 570 A with the Gestica control system in a cycle time of about 50 seconds.
From prototype to certified
In May, Arburg began production of LSR and PP facemasks for everyday use. The project shows how time-to-market can be accelerated in exceptional cases – namely when all partners pool their competencies, technologies and equipment.
Arburg developed the high-quality and sustainable masks made of flexible LSR and PP, producing the first prototypes with the Freeformer additive. The flexible multifunctional masks consist of a soft LSR mask and a fixed holder made of PP.
The injection moulds for the LSR and PP components were built in a record time – just five weeks. Since mid-May, an Allrounder 570 A with a clamping force of 2,000kN has been producing the LSR masks with a four-cavity mould from Polarform in the Arburg Training Center, while an Allrounder 520 E Golden Electric with a clamping force of 2,000kN and a two-cavity mould from Foboha simultaneously produces the associated PP shields in the Customer Center.
Knowledge and innovation versus Coronavirus
The application shows how complex turnkey systems can be implemented within the shortest possible time to efficiently manufacture high-quality products. Arburg says it does not want to profit from the PPE projects, so they are not sold individually. The aim is rather to use the knowhow and machine fleet to support hospitals and care facilities with PPE, as well as to show the injection moulding market the huge amount of knowhow available.
