ARBURG Licenses Trexel's MuCell™ Microcellular Foam Process

For Injection Molding Equipment Leading Supplier of Injection Molding Machines to Outfit New and Existing Machinery with Trexel's MuCell™ Process Technology

January 6, 2000 - Woburn, MA - Trexel, Inc. and ARBURG, Inc. announced today that they have entered into a licensing agreement for North America to supply injection molding equipment utilizing Trexel's proprietary MuCell® microcellular foam processing technology. ARBURG is a leading supplier of plastics injection molding machines with low-medium clamping forces, and Trexel is the worldwide leader in the development and commercialization of microcellular foam processing technologies.

Under the agreement, ARBURG is licensed to sell new MuCell-capable injection molding machines, or retrofit the MuCell process to existing ARBURG equipment. Injection molders can purchase machines directly from ARBURG while taking an end-user license for the technology from Trexel. One North American customer has already taken delivery of a 66-ton MuCell-capable machine, and is completing process characterization in order to begin commercial production. In addition to the ability to make controlled weight reductions, this customer's decision was largely motivated by cycle time reductions in the 20-30% range for his family of parts.

"This important partnership with ARBURG signifies the versatility of MuCell processing technology," stated David Bernstein, President and CEO of Trexel. "By extending MuCell processing capabilities to ARBURG's low-medium tonnage product lines, Trexel will be able to spotlight the fact that clamp tonnage requirements for MuCell® molding are routinely 30-40% lower than standard injection molding. MuCell will effectively convert ARBURG's machines into machines with much greater clamping pressures."

According to ARBURG Engineering Manager John Adamowicz, "We recognize the value of MuCell microcellular foam processing technology to our customers and are pleased to offer it as a standard option on our equipment. With MuCell, these companies, most of whom are small parts manufacturers, will realize significant process savings, including reduced cycle times, clamp tonnage reduction, lower melt temperatures, and lower injection pressures. We expect to be able to sell our machines into applications which previously required clamp tonnages outside of our product range."

Proven, Breakthrough Technology

The MuCell technology - which is suitable for a wide range of injection molded products - provides molders with unique opportunities to reduce product costs while enhancing product design and processing. Using inexpensive, environmentally friendly supercritical fluids (SCFs) of atmospheric gases (CO₂ or N₂) as blowing agents, the MuCell microcellular foam process produces evenly distributed and uniformly sized microscopic cells (generally 5-50 microns in diameter). In addition to reducing part weight, the MuCell process can eliminate stress and warpage, as well as sink marks, while either reducing or eliminating hold time. The technology permits product designers to specify lightweight, polymer-saving foam materials for products in which conventionally foamed materials would be unacceptable.

The MuCell microcellular foam process offers many attractive processing improvements, including sizable cost savings. Because of the lowered melt viscosity, the fill pressure can be reduced at least 50% and the clamp tonnage can be reduced at least 40%. The MuCell process can result in faster cycle time due to the reduction of melt temperature, improved mold filling, and the reduction in, or elimination of hold time.

Equipment Availability

According to the license agreement, ARBURG will offer machines for a full range of applications, from 15 to 250 tons, plus a MuCell process retrofit kit for equipment in the field. An 88-ton machine will be available for demonstration purposes at Trexel, beginning December, 1999. Trexel, which currently operates commercial-scale equipment in its laboratory, offers engineering support, training and other services to end-users. Patents pending and issued in the United States, Canada, Europe and several Asian countries cover Trexel's MuCell microcellular foam process and equipment.

About ARBURG

ARBURG is well known worldwide for innovative injection molding technology. The company's headquarters is located in Lossburg, a small town in the northern Black Forest, in the southwest of Germany. In sixteen countries, ARBURG counts nineteen subsidiaries and three representative offices. The ARBURG-Group employs more than 1,750 employees worldwide.

For more information, please contact Dan Szczurko, Trexel Vice President of Business Development, at (781) 932-0202, Ext. 241 (fax (781) 932-3324) or dan@trexel.com, or visit the company Web site at www.trexel.com.

For more information about ARBURG, please contact John Adamowicz, ARBURG Engineering Manager, at (860) 667-6500 (fax (860)-667-6522) or visit the company Web site at www.arburg.com.

© 2001 Trexel, Inc. · 45 Sixth Rd., Woburn, MA 01801 USA · 781-932-0202 · Fax: 781-932-3324
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