The latest in plastics processing Fakuma 2017

Fakuma 2017: thE latEst in plastics procEssing

Fakuma, the international trade fair for plastic processing, will take place at the Friedrichshafen Exhibition Centre from 17–21 October and will be a chance for both visitors and exhibitors to find out about the latest technological developments in this sector.

More than 1700 exhibitors will present their products and processes on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the world’s leading technical event for industrial plastics processing. Launched initially in the old Friedrichshafen Exhibition Centre and now with more than 915,000 square feet of overall exhibition floor space, once again occupying all available exhibition halls as well as the East and West foyers, Fakuma has evolved from small beginnings into the No.2 plastics technology trade fair in the world.

At this year’s edition of the show, its organisers are expecting more than 40,000 expert visitors from 120 countries. These will include suppliers and users of plastics processing for specific issues and applications. Attention will be paid to the latest technologies, as well as processes and tools for efficient plastics processing.

Showcasing innovation

Fakuma is the only technical event anywhere in the world to focus on all currently relevant technologies for plastics processing: injection moulding, extrusion, thermoforming and 3D printing. Thus, together with the comprehensive product portfolios of the manufacturers and distributors from more than 30 industrialised nations, Fakuma offers users a strictly practice-oriented information, communication and procurement platform for uncompromising solutions covering a great variety of challenges in the field of manufacturing engineering. From materials mix for lightweight design, material and energy efficiency for enhanced conservation of resources and environmental protection, to qualitative productivity for more economic efficiency – modern plastics technology provides conclusive answers to questions about the future.

Whether new or time-tested materials, new or optimised processing technologies and methods, new or adapted tooling systems, and finally partially or fully automated raw materials and finished parts handling are involved – with integrated quality assurance and networkable structures and production systems, plastics processing facilities are ideally expressing the Industry 4.0 philosophy today. From the initial concept to product development, prototyping, tool-making, series production, identification and packaging, Fakuma presents all of the necessary building blocks for the plastics processing sequence.

Covering the complete supply chain

The plastics processing sequences for injection moulding, extrusion, thermoforming and 3D printing don’t come to an end after parts production. Other fundamental constituents of efficient production include downstream processes such as module assembly, go/no-go sorting of the finished parts, uninterrupted identification and QA documentation, sterile assembly and packaging of critical components and assemblies and more – in all of which Fakuma plays a pioneering role. As a logical consequence, Fakuma began exhibiting stand-alone and system solutions for the production of technical medical components at a very early stage, involving micro injection moulding as well as lightweight design in the form of integral components made of fibrous composite materials, other composites and honeycomb structures. Fakuma’s motto: Create Markets, Not Trends!