Color plays an important role in assessing the exclusivity of everyday objects. It contributes significantly to whether an article is perceived as valuable or even high-class, as noble, valuable, stylish or even exclusive. The color experts at GRAFE, Blankenhain, have been dealing with the style-defining and perception-controlling effect of colors for plastic applications for decades and will be presenting a new project that presents three exclusive and noble shades under the term "Luxury". "The three colors are shown in the form of a sample plate with one hexagonal plate per cover. The material used is a styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer with a matting agent as an additive," explains Lars Schulze, Head of Color Development and Material Science. The trick: with the same tool, the matting agent creates the matt surface/look. The color of the hexagon without additive shows a matt and a glossy surface - which allows a comparison to the sample plate with additive and shows possible applications of the matting agent. One half is matt, the other half is glossy. "We show how different looks can be created in injection molding without additional tooling costs," says Schulze. The color specialists focused on expressive and harmonious tones in their choice of colors to achieve a luxurious look that creates a perfect combination with aesthetic design. "This is made possible by the matt yet softly shimmering surface," reports Schulze. The names of the colors presented already reveal their noble claim: Shiny Graphite, Silky Lux-Grey and Liquid Rosé Gold are the names of the developments presented at the trade fair. Each of them makes its own contribution to the theme of "Luxury" and defines it in a special way. You can find the complete press release on our homepage.

PPAX is a new color masterbatch carrier system from Tosaf Color Service which is based on the high-performance polymer PPA (polyphthalamide) and whose specially selected pigments allow high processing temperatures. This makes it possible to color products made from it in many different bright colors without affecting this material’s special properties. Unlike PA66-based masterbatches, which are often used as an alternative for cost reasons, the high thermal stability, very good strength, stiffness and toughness values, low moisture absorption and high chemical resistance are also retained in colored injection moldings. All 28 standard stock RAL colors in the PPAX product range can be laser marked and provide a high-contrast color change. Processors using PPAX can take advantage of the high melt temperatures possible with PPA, for example to shorten cycle times, without being limited by the color masterbatch. Testing carried out by Tosaf Color Service at processing temperatures of up to 340°C yielded outstanding results. Even higher temperatures are possible, but must first be confirmed by the processor’s own testing. PPAX-colored samples have demonstrated their high lightfastness and weather resistance. All the colors combine elevated long-term thermal stability with an ability to withstand transient exposure to very high temperatures, for example during soldering.

The new metallic color masterbatches from Tosaf Color Service put an end to the previously typical and undesirable streaks and similar surface defects on plastic parts. The key to this lies in the manufacturer's compounding know-how acquired over the last few decades in combination with the special effect pigments with a rheologically optimized geometry that have only recently become available. As a result, these masterbatches meet the requirements for the cost-cutting, environmentally friendly use of components with brilliant metallic finishes in visible areas. The new masterbatches are available on different carrier systems and, at short notice, in customized shades. They are suitable for all transparent thermoplastics, whereby the brilliance increases with the degree of transparency. They can, however, also be used in opaque plastics such as PC/ABS or PA/ABS blends. The further developed pigment technology makes a major contribution to the considerable reduction in the separation effects that are responsible for streak formation or color deviations, especially in critical areas such as weld lines, cross-sectional transitions or with distinctly three-dimensional, concave or convex contours. The main beneficiaries of this are suppliers to the automotive industry and other segments with extremely high quality demands and with rapidly changing designs that are geared to individuality. Depending on the demands, moldings produced with this masterbatch stand out through their color depth and outstanding surface gloss and also through a delicate structure when eroded molds are used. In many applications, they can replace coated or electroplated parts, which not only saves costs through the elimination of additional work steps, but also makes a considerable contribution to the preservation of the environment. Added to this is the good suitability of the single-sort parts for recycling

By connecting the mold temperature control circuits in one movement, the MCI manual plates optimize the mold changing times, and boost the efficiency and safety of processes. The plate is equipped with flush face couplings, ensuring the non-spill of cooling and heating fluids, in the environment during connection and disconnection operations. A variety of configurations makes it easy for the integration of this compact solution on the installation.

Nozzle Band Heaters find their usage at injection moulding machinery in the polymer processing industry. They melt dense and safeguard the temperature on the crucial spots. They are further suitable for Hot Runner tools, for transferring tubes with bitumen processing, for bag sealers, for filling devices (food industry) and for special purpose machinery manufacture. They are proven as reliable OEM equipment for several common machinery types.

DH400 Areas of application: Heating nozzles on injection molding machines Wide range of applications in mechanical and mold engineering Heating of pipelines Design: Heating wire with special MIKANIT insulation, encased in a stainless steel sheath Special features: Long service life Easy installation Completely enclosed, plastic-tight design Available with built-in thermal sensor Variable cable lengths and outlets available Operating temperature max. 350°C DH500 Areas of application: Heating long nozzles on injection molding machines Heating melt lines in extrusion and other pipelines Design: Heating wire with special MIKANIT insulation, encased in 0.3 mm thick sheet steel, clamping band made of 0.5 mm stainless steel sheet Special features: Long service life Easy installation from axial and radial directions Available with built-in thermal sensor Variable cable lengths Available Operating temperature max. 350°C DH600 Areas of application: Heating nozzles on injection molding machines Wide range of applications in mechanical and mold engineering Heating pipelines Special features: Faster heating due to high power density Long heater life due to very high mechanical stability Shorter machine downtimes, higher productivity Design: Completely enclosed, plastic-tight Available with built-in thermal sensor Variable cable lengths and outlets available Operating temperature max. 600°C

Nozzle heating bands are electrical heating elements that are used in the plastics processing industry. Depending on the application, the nozzle heaters guarantee a homogeneous temperature curve and are designed according to the application to maintain the viscosity of a wide variety of materials and to guarantee uniform processing. For high melting temperatures (PVC, glass fiber reinforced) and for corrosive materials (PVC), we recommend using stainless steel heating elements. All heating elements can optionally be equipped with an integrated type J or K thermocouple. They are available in brass, stainless steel or ceramic jacket materials, depending on the required application or operating temperature.

Ahead of the competition: Data visualisable via hot runner controller One of the most recent Fiege electronic top performers is the newly developed needle valve-control of the NVS and NVS plus series. Combined with the temperature controllers of the TP and VARIO series (software version 3 and above), both the needle valve-control and the also newly developed Fiege pressure measurement system can be visualised through an existing hot runner control device. With this development, Fiege yet again sets the standard in terms of ease of operation. NVS is optionally available with end position control and can be used irrespective of the hot runner manufacturer.

The OctaCap® Octabin cover by seal-IT is a foldable aluminum cover for octabins that can be placed on the octabin in a few seconds. The cover weighs less than 10kg and is available in various octabin dimensions. ‍ The lateral edges provide mechanical stability to the cover and the octabin, and allow for the attachment of a material card. ‍ The main benefit of the cover is that it protects the material from contamination. Unnecessary moisture absorption of the material is made more difficult. The holes in the cover can be freely configured with a lid, sight glass or suction lance connection. This stabilizes the suction process, as the suction lance can move vertically, and ultimately saves costs by preventing contamination and machine downtime.

By the controlled closing and opening the flow canal, the cycle time can be reduced and a more exactly injection process is possible. One flow canal technology. APPLICATION FIELDS: The OFS-bolt shut-off nozzle type BV is used for processing of thermoplastic materials and thermoplastic elastomers. An integrated pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder controls the bolt by a fixed lever, whereby the flow channel is closed and opened. The system is designed in such a way that there is no forced opening when the system pressure is present. Due the one flow canal technology, the effect of stratification and memory effect during injection is prevented. NOZZLE SIZES: type BVI screw diameter up to app. 50 mm type BVII screw diameter appr. 50-120 mm typ BVIII screw diameter up from appr. 120 mm

That OFS-filternozzle is well suitable for technical and reinforced material and shows particular good properties at frequent changes of colour and material. APPLICATION FIELDS: The OFS-filternozzle type S is highly suitable for processing all technical plastic materials. The nozzle is particulary suitable when frequent changes of color and material are carried out. Because of the optimally rheological design, the nozzle is also suitable for reinforced materials. But for reinforced materials, we recommend special coatings. The coatings counteract the abrasive and corrosive attacks of the reinforced materials and increase the life span of the filternozzle.

That OFS-filternozzle is well suitable for processing non shear- and friction sensitive materials. APPLICATION FIELDS: The OFS-filternozzle type SF is well suitable for processing of unreinforced standard materials (f.e. PP, PS, ABS, PA). That nozzle is not recommend for processing of shear- and friction sensitive materials (f.e. POM, PVC, PC). By changing the flow direction during the injection, the nozzle has an additional homogeniziation and mixing effect.