NPE: Machinery suppliers target end markets

Improvements in injection speeds, responsiveness, control systems and energy consumption were showcased by injection molding machinery makers at NPE.

There were significant advances in processing technologies: barrier co-injection, microcellular foam molding and light-weight composites, to name a few. There was also plenty to see in rapid heating/cooling, liquid silicone rubber, micro-molding, gas-assist, in-mold labeling or in-mold assembly.

But a striking difference at this NPE was the number of complete molding cells combining machinery technology and processes targeting major market sectors such as packaging, automotive, industrial, consumer and medical.

Nearly every injection molding machinery supplier showed a new capability tied to a market sector. Plastics Machinery Magazine's coverage of new injection molding machinery is organized the same way.