[Blending Characters Face to Face] Kebelong Frank Lechner: Craft Technology Is the Fusion of Equipment and Understanding

In the global field of plastic compounding and extrusion, Coperion is always regarded as an industry benchmark. Is this leading position truly derived from in-depth research in fundamental science, or from decades of accumulated process experience?

Coperion is regarded as an industry benchmark. Is this ongoing technological leadership due to in-depth research into basic physics and mixing principles, or is it due to the "know-how" accumulated over decades of collaboration with the world's top material manufacturers?

This is a good question, but the answer is simple: both. We have extensive experience, having delivered over 10,000 extrusion machines globally, applied in various fields such as polyolefins, engineering plastics, and the food industry. We combine these technologies and process know-how, which means we can learn from each other.

At the same time, we are also very strong in theoretical calculations and simulations. We have invested a significant amount of funds in research and development and innovation, with over 200 employees dedicated to R&D process technology and engineering. They are committed to developing new technologies and improving technologies globally.

Therefore, we are combining these experiences to develop our equipment. It is very important for us to listen to customer feedback and understand market needs. Our testing laboratories are also very important. We have testing laboratories in Europe, the United States, and China, and they are drivers for developing new equipment and processes.

Therefore, the answer to this question is both. We have experience with the existing production line, as well as knowledge of the equipment and processes, and we possess the ability to perform calculations and process testing.

In addition to the equipment itself, the final performance of a production line often depends on the combination of "machine, material, method, and personnel." Based on your global experience, what is the most common reason why customers fail to fully utilize the potential of the equipment?

The most important advice I can give you is: you must understand the equipment. It's not just the equipment, not just metal, not just steel. It's a process flow that you must understand, including the interactions between process sections. You should spend more time understanding the issues and the entire process flow, as this will make it easier to solve problems. This is my advice, and also the advice from Coperion: you need to understand the entire process flow. Ensure that the extruder is the core of the entire factory because the extrusion system relates to quality, productivity, and the final product sold.

The feeding system and material handling system also have a significant impact on the performance of the entire production line. This is exactly where Coperion's strengths lie: we offer comprehensive solutions ranging from raw material handling, conveying, mixing, feeding, and extrusion to coloring, and we can optimize interfaces because we understand the entire process.

We have global material handling experts, global input experts, and of course extrusion experts. This is why we succeed in the market. It is important to understand the equipment and then find process solutions. I strongly advise you not to focus solely on equipment and steel! Based on understanding the process, you can optimize it and take it to the next level.