Tech partnership in action at K 2019

Christina King, Tribosonics’ Head of Strategic Partnerships, blogs about her time in Dusseldorf at K 2019. Featuring Tribosonics’ Founder and CTO Dr Phil Harper and Engineer Will Morton. Christina writes:

The K 2019 show is like no other show I have even been to. Over 3000 exhibitors, 232,000 visitors from over 160 countries, it took over half an hour to walk from hall 15 (where we were) to hall 1!

In addition, Phil, Will, and myself were delighted to be on the ENGEL stand which must have been the size of an indoor sports hall! It had a coffee bar upstairs, meeting rooms, and fully working machines demonstrating their prowess in the industry.

ENGEL had constructed a screw wear monitoring demonstrator showcasing our technology in action. It showed a new screw slowly turning with an associated graph and a worn screw again with an associated graph. Therefore, delegates could view in real-time the sensor measurement system in action.

Tribosonics-Engel Technology in action

There were a succession of ‘light bulb’ moments at K 2019, as delegates visiting the ENGEL stand witnessed the Tribosonics-ENGEL technology partnership in action.

Tribosonics captured some of these moments through our social media channels. Thus, Phil, Will, and I demonstrated how, through strategic partnership, Tribosonics’ technology can enable digitalisation and new commercial models in polymer processing.

Screw and barrel wear monitoring system demonstration — Tribosonics social media channels captured some of the buzz at the ‘Expert Corner’ of ENGEL’s stand.

Consequently, having the opportunity to showcase our technology partnership with ENGEL at K 2019; the World’s No.1 Trade Fair for Plastics and rubber was a fantastic opportunity for us. Phil, Will, and I were on ENGEL’s stand from the 16th-18th October.

Our technology stack, which turns standard components into SMART components, applies widely to challenges and opportunities in the polymer industry.

Afterwards, we met with a very wide representation of large businesses in the polymer industry. Then we showed how collaboration with Tribosonics could enable SMART solutions in each of their industry sectors – from plastic extrusion to blow moulding.

Working with Engel in future

Injection moulding screw wear measurement system — Tribosonics were in ENGEL’s ‘Expert Corner’ on the K Show stand demonstrating non-invasive measurement of wear of the screw and barrel of an injection moulding machine.

Tribosonics and ENGEL really showcased how the technology partnership can enable new value streams. Partiularly in the development and use of injection moulding equipment.

Overall, it was great to be able to join ENGEL on the stand at K 2019 – thanks for the invitation! We look forward to seeing what technologies we will be showcasing together at the next show.

Tribosonics on the ENGEL stand at K 2019 — ENGEL (Johannes Kilian, far left) and Tribosonics (from left to right: Christina King, Dr Phil Harper and Will Morton) representatives showcasing technology partnership in polymer processing at K 2019

Finally, to find out how Tribosonics could add value to your business, contact: Christina King, c.king@tribosonics.com

About ENGEL:

ENGEL is one of the global leaders in the manufacture of plastics processing machines. Today, the ENGEL Group offers a full range of technology modules for plastics processing as a single source supplier. From injection moulding machines for thermoplastics and elastomers together with automation. In addition, individual components also being competitive and successful in the market. Engel has nine production plants in Europe, North America, and Asia (China and Korea), and subsidiaries and representatives in more than 85 countries. ENGEL offers its customers the excellent global support they need to compete and succeed with new technologies and leading-edge production systems.

In summary, Inject 4.0 combines the advantages of the smart machine, smart production and smart service to create a solid foundation for smart production.

About Tribosonics:

Tribosonics is an innovation-led scale-up with a strong challenger mindset, driving transformation by using its unique sensing technologies. Therefore, we address challenges in tribological contacts (wear, friction and lubrication) in rotating equipment.

Located and forged in Sheffield, it serves global markets in Transport, Power Generation and Manufacturing.