Fakuma 2026: Technology gets practical in the ENGEL Expert Corners

What can the melt tell us about the process? How can cooling circuits be monitored precisely while making machine operation easier? And what new possibilities do innovative processes open up for components and surfaces? In the Expert Corners, ENGEL presents six topics from injection moulding practice. Visitors can examine exhibits up close, operate the new viper 6 themselves and discuss their applications with the experts. Running machines elsewhere on the stand demonstrate how these technologies perform in day-to-day production.

The Expert Corners are small, dedicated topic stations on the ENGEL stand. Exhibits, presentations and videos on monitors explain the technology behind the solutions and show the benefits they offer in different applications:

ENGEL’s melt homogeneity measurement system makes melt quality a measurable process parameter. Using ultrasound in the nozzle area, it detects unmelted particles at an early stage and provides an objective assessment of melt homogeneity in every cycle. The Moldsonics sensors are fully integrated into the ENGEL machine control system. This makes additional quality data available directly in the control system, where it can be used to monitor the process as it runs. This allows processors to make full use of the plasticising unit’s capacity without compromising its service life. The system can be seen in action on an e-motion 380.

At the Expert Corner, ENGEL’s plasticising specialists also present application-specific material packages ranging from Basic to High Performance, along with further-developed screws, non-return valves and shut-off nozzles. ENGEL brings these developments together in dedicated packages for the packaging industry. Development, manufacture and service all come from a single source.

ENGEL is expanding its temperature-control technology with ultrasonic flow measurement. The eco-flomo U temperature-control water manifold for monitoring and the e-flomo U for control measure flow rates of 0.4 to 40 l/min per individual circuit and are suitable for temperatures up to 160 °C. Because the ultrasonic sensors do not come into contact with the medium, they remain robust even when the cooling water contains particles. The manifolds are integrated into iQ flow control, retaining the established machine connectivity and the potential for energy savings of up to 85%, depending on the application. Visitors can see the e-flomo plus in operation on the stand and the e-flomo U on the autonomous injection moulding cell. A lifetime warranty on the measuring sections – the core components of the ultrasonic flow meters – underscores the technology’s durability and offers greater confidence in the investment.

How can machine operation be made easier when experienced specialists are in short supply? At the Expert Corner, ENGEL presents control unit solutions that bring structure to workflows and put existing expertise to work on the shop floor. Guided steps support mould changes and help prevent set-up errors. Digital assistance makes information available directly at the control unit, making it easier to train new staff. Smart Access ensures that only authorised personnel can gain access. This improves security and eases the burden of routine tasks on operators.

Another highlight is the newly developed Solution Guide, which accepts image input. It helps users identify problems quickly and intuitively at the machine. At the same time, it helps preserve specialists’ knowledge and experience and makes them available to the wider workforce.

At the automation Expert Corner, ENGEL introduces the viper 6, the entry-level model in the new viper generation. Redesigned axis profiles and a choice of strokes provide a larger working envelope, particularly for longer demoulding and vertical movements. The compact robot already meets the requirements of ISO 10218:2025. Its launch completes the transition of the entire viper range to the new generation. Visitors can operate the robot themselves there; it can also be seen in action on the electric WINTEC e-win 1800, which is producing automotive connectors on the stand.

Under the banner “Technologies for Every Challenge”, ENGEL makes specialist processes tangible through the parts on display. These include liquid silicone rubber (LSR) processing for high-precision components: the victory electric 1565/220 is producing a precision LSR seal live on the stand. A rotor-blade component made from thermoplastic composite illustrates tape-sandwich injection moulding for lightweight construction. Other examples showcase multi-component applications using sandwich injection moulding, as well as foaming processes such as MuCell® and chemical foaming, which can reduce the weight and warpage of plastic parts. At the technologies Expert Corner, visitors can get hands-on with the innovations.

A dedicated Expert Corner focuses on clearmelt. ENGEL displays parts made using in-mould coating: injection moulding and polyurethane coating take place in a single process, with no subsequent painting required. The result is a high-quality, scratch- and UV-resistant surface that, depending on the formulation, can even have self-healing properties. ENGEL brings together its expertise in materials, applications and machine concepts for PUR processing in injection moulding at its dedicated clearmelt competence centre in Austria.

Four running machines and inject AI on an autonomous injection moulding cell show how these technologies deliver tangible benefits in day-to-day production:

• More margin from every cup: The all-electric ENGEL e-motion 380 produces yoghurt cups with in-mould labelling, demonstrating what matters in food packaging. With a dry cycle time as low as 1.2 seconds, high availability and low energy consumption, it increases output and reduces unit costs.

• High-volume production, reimagined: The electric WINTEC e-win 1800 demonstrates an integrated solution for high-volume production of automotive connectors in a 128-cavity mould; the new viper 6 removes the sprue. The coordinated production cell delivers a stable process and high output with an investment tailored to the application.

• From liquid silicone to a precision part: The ENGEL victory electric 1565/220 produces a high-precision seal for an inverter component, flash-free straight from the machine. This eliminates finishing work and helps reduce scrap.

• The answer to tight deadlines and budgets: The WINTEC t-win 6500 produces coat hangers for Leifheit, showing how a readily available, near-standard two-platen machine enables a fast start to production. High availability, straightforward operation and no need for costly special equipment keep the investment manageable.

• Just ask your machine! At the autonomous injection moulding cell, visitors can experience inject AI and the ENGEL Virtual Assistant EVA in dialogue. EVA answers questions in the context of the machine and, once the user has confirmed them, can pass changes to the control system – enabling faster decisions at the machine.

ENGEL will also take part in Career Friday on 16 October 2026 and looks forward to welcoming young talent to its stand as part of the guided tours initiated by PlasticsEurope Deutschland.

Visit us at Fakuma: Hall A5, Stand 5203.