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The autonomous injection moulding cell
inject AI: Quality targets instead of machine parameters
With the autonomous injection moulding cell, ENGEL is shifting the focus from traditional process control to direct quality control. Users no longer define complex machine parameters, but simply the desired quality characteristics of their component. The cell takes care of the rest: artificial intelligence and in-line quality measurement autonomously optimise the production cell – on the way to zero-defect production.
Measurable added value in practice
Less rejects, shorter set-up times and a more efficient use of materials and resources increase production cost-effectiveness. Thanks to 100% inspection and fully automatic process adjustment to meet quality specifications, manual interventions and time-consuming quality checks are significantly reduced. The result is a consistently stable production process that not only ensures quality but also saves time and costs.
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The advantages of ENGEL’s autonomous injection moulding cell
AI-driven quality control can reduce material usage by up to four per cent. For large machines, this equates to up to 16 tonnes of plastic per year. At the same time, rejects are reduced and production becomes more cost-effective. Rejects not only cost material, but above all machine time, energy and labour, as well as an irretrievable slot in the production schedule.
AI-supported initialisation learns the quality-relevant process correlations within the very first cycles. This eliminates the effort typically required for trial runs and manual optimisations. The result: the autonomous injection moulding cell achieves a stable process within minutes and reliably produces parts in the desired quality right from the start.
A camera measures every component in every single cycle. Deviations are detected immediately and corrected automatically. The autonomous injection moulding cell makes zero-defect production a reality.
Instead of relying on the constant availability of experienced process technicians, the AI monitors and corrects the process autonomously – around the clock and regardless of personnel resources. Thanks to the self-regulating injection moulding machine, time-consuming manual adjustments by production staff are no longer necessary.
Continuous monitoring and automatic correction of process parameters ensure that deviations are detected and resolved early, before defective parts occur. By reducing rejects and quality-related machine downtime, OEE increases by up to 15 per cent. Production runs more stable, more predictable, and more cost-effective, while equipment capacity is increased.
The advantages of ENGEL’s autonomous injection moulding cell
Reduced rejects and material consumption
AI-driven quality control can reduce material usage by up to four per cent. For large machines, this equates to up to 16 tonnes of plastic per year. At the same time, rejects are reduced and production becomes more cost-effective. Rejects not only cost material, but above all machine time, energy and labour, as well as an irretrievable slot in the production schedule.
Fast start-up
AI-supported initialisation learns the quality-relevant process correlations within the very first cycles. This eliminates the effort typically required for trial runs and manual optimisations. The result: the autonomous injection moulding cell achieves a stable process within minutes and reliably produces parts in the desired quality right from the start.
Seamless inline quality control
A camera measures every component in every single cycle. Deviations are detected immediately and corrected automatically. The autonomous injection moulding cell makes zero-defect production a reality.
Relief from the skilled labour shortage
Instead of relying on the constant availability of experienced process technicians, the AI monitors and corrects the process autonomously – around the clock and regardless of personnel resources. Thanks to the self-regulating injection moulding machine, time-consuming manual adjustments by production staff are no longer necessary.
Higher overall equipment effectiveness (OEE)
Continuous monitoring and automatic correction of process parameters ensure that deviations are detected and resolved early, before defective parts occur. By reducing rejects and quality-related machine downtime, OEE increases by up to 15 per cent. Production runs more stable, more predictable, and more cost-effective, while equipment capacity is increased.
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For the first time worldwide, this solution enables stable, cost-effective, and autonomous injection molding production. In suitable applications, the investment pays off after just a few weeks or months.
The autonomous injection moulding cell in action
Take advantage of the benefits of the autonomous injection moulding cell.
FAQ
Assistance systems support the operator in setting the process parameters, but the final decision still lies with the human operator.
The autonomous injection moulding cell goes one step further: using AI, it identifies the correlation between the process and component quality and automatically controls part quality – without any manual intervention.
In short: assistance supports, autonomy decides.
Very quickly: in the ENGEL prototype, the optimal process settings were found after just 10 shots. Instead of lengthy, manual trial series, AI-supported initialisation delivers stable part quality within just a few minutes.
Every single component is measured directly in the process. Depending on the application, using a camera, scale or length measurement. This means quality characteristics such as weight or dimensions are recorded in every cycle, deviations are detected immediately and parts outside tolerance are automatically ejected.
The autonomous injection moulding cell increases overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) by up to 15% and reduces material usage by up to 4%. In bumper production, reduced material usage alone shows a savings potential of around €30,000 per year.
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The Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG) is the national funding institution for industry-related research and development in Austria. FFG funding plays a key role in generating new knowledge, developing new products and services, and thereby becoming more competitive in the global market.
Mould Maker
Standard mould components
Material Supplier
Hot Runner
Material Transport
Mould temperature control
Masterbatch
The Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG) is the national funding institution for industry-related research and development in Austria. FFG funding plays a key role in generating new knowledge, developing new products and services, and thereby becoming more competitive in the global market.
Mould Maker
Standard mould components
Material Supplier
Hot Runner
Material Transport
Mould temperature control
Masterbatch
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ENGEL wins public award at Swiss Plastics 2026 for the first autonomous injection moulding cell27 January 2026As part of the Swiss Plastics Expo 2026, the Swiss Plastics Expo Award was presented for the third time on 22 January 20 ... -
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ENGEL presents the evolution from inject 4.0 to inject AI at K 2025: World premiere of the first autonomous injection moulding cell18 September 2025Artificial intelligence becomes lived reality: new AI-based solutions save more material, eliminate scrap and reduce set ...
 "Outstanding innovation: The ENGEL team presented the first autonomous injection moulding cell at Swiss Plastics Expo 2026. The solution reduces setup times, saves material and ensures consistently high quality – winning over the professional audience.")
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