Engel Establishes Clearmelt Competence Center

Engel testing device, equipped with Duo 1800 two-platen injection molding machine and PUR dosing system.

Learmelt Capability Center (CCC) provides comprehensive support to all customers involved in polyurethane injection projects for plastic components.

In the Engel transparent melting process, thermoplastic parts are directly injected with polyurethane (PUR) in the injection mold. This replaces the traditional post-coating process and is becoming increasingly important in the field of automotive engineering. PUR drainage achieves surface characteristics that pure thermoplastic plastics cannot achieve. At the same time, the workload and complexity of component logistics are also reduced.

The transparent melting process has been fully integrated into the ENGEL machine combination and CC300 control system, enhancing process stability, operability, and automation.

Special characteristics of CCC

The new capability center combines Engel's over 20 years of PUR experience with the expertise of several system partners. The goal is to shorten the development time for PUR applications and improve the quality of implemented projects. Its core feature is that customers receive completely integrated solutions from a single source.

The core elements of CCC include:

A central contact person is responsible for coordinating the entire project—from component conception to testing and mass production.

A cross-disciplinary team of experts composed of development, application technology, and sales analyzes 3D data, defines processes, and accompanies trials.

In Saint-Valentin, actual sampling can be performed on a double-shear machine with a clamping force ranging from 7,000 to 55,000 kilonewtons. More testing options are available from partners such as tool manufacturers and raw material suppliers.

In addition to Schwäbisch Gmünd and St. Valentin, the technology centers in Asia and North America will also utilize CCC's structure.