From Proven Technology to Connected Production
50 years of RAFO and ARBURG and new developments in temperature control for injection moulding
On 10 September, our long-standing Swedish sales partner RAFO AB hosted a special Oktoberfest to celebrate 50 years of successful cooperation with ARBURG GmbH + Co KG. Customers, partners, suppliers and decision-makers from the plastics injection moulding industry came together to mark the anniversary and exchange views on current developments in the industry.
Tool-Temp AG was represented by Business Development Manager Fabio Soares Pellosi, who presented the latest developments in temperature control units for plastics injection moulding. The focus was on the combination of precise temperature control, energy efficiency and digital connectivity.
Fabio Soares Pellosi presents the latest developments from Tool-Temp at the RAFO Oktoberfest. The day before the event, Fabio joined RAFO on a visit to a long-standing customer that manufactures high-precision injection-moulded components for medical technology. The production environment includes ARBURG injection moulding machines equipped with Tool-Temp temperature control units.
One of these units dates back to 1994 and is still in operation today. An impressive example of the durability and reliability that have long characterised Tool-Temp temperature control units.
At the same time, the requirements placed on temperature control technology have expanded. Alongside reliable and precise temperature control, energy efficiency and digital connectivity are becoming increasingly important.
Still in operation since 1994: the Tool-Temp temperature control unit at a long-standing RAFO customer. Digital Connectivity between Temperature Control Unit and Injection Moulding Machine
At the RAFO Oktoberfest, Fabio demonstrated how Tool-Temp addresses these requirements in practice. In addition to the new energy-efficient pump technology, the MATIC series and IRIS were key topics.
In a live demonstration, he showed how an OPC UA connection can be established and how the IO01 module enables older ARBURG machines to be integrated into a modern communication structure. Standardised M2M communication via OPC UA in accordance with EUROMAP 82.1 enables the direct exchange of relevant process and operating data between the injection moulding machine and the temperature control unit, providing greater process transparency.
Especially in existing production environments, this combination of proven technology and new digital capabilities is particularly relevant.
ARBURG injection moulding machine with a connected Tool-Temp MATIC temperature control unit. The MATIC solution with its standardised M2M communication attracted particular interest among the attendees. The discussions at the event showed that precision and reliability remain the foundation, while energy efficiency and digital connectivity are becoming increasingly important for the further development of the injection moulding process.
The relaxed Oktoberfest atmosphere also provided plenty of opportunity to discuss these and other topics in more detail with customers and industry professionals.
We would like to thank RAFO AB for the invitation and congratulate RAFO and ARBURG on 50 years of successful cooperation!
The RAFO Oktoberfest provided an opportunity for technical exchange and personal discussions with customers and industry professionals. 
Fabio Soares Pellosi from Tool-Temp and Anders Jungert from RAFO at the RAFO Oktoberfest in Sweden.