After the successful start of the EXIST research transfer in March 2020, the founding team around Dr. Michael Krahl has received awards in several innovation competitions with its idea of mobile injection molding. By using carbon fibers in a composite C-frame of an injection molding machine, it was possible for the first time to build the machine with a weight of less than 140 kilograms. This means that it can be attached to a robot, for example, and moved freely in space. This mobility and flexibility in system technology will revolutionize injection molding in the production of hybrid components. In addition to the silver award at the IQ Innovation Award Central Germany in the automotive category, the idea of "Robotised Injection Moulding" (ROBIN) was able to convince the jury of the AVK Innovation Award in the Processes and Procedures category, which is why it awarded the founding team first place. In the evaluation criteria of the AVK Innovation Award, special emphasis is placed on the sustainability of the submissions. "We see the award as confirmation and further incentive on our way to bring the new way of thinking of mobile injection moulding to the market", Dr. Michael Krahl emphasizes in his acknowledgement.
The founders can currently rely on the ideal conditions for start-ups at the Institute for Lightweight Structures and Plastics Technology (ILK) at TU Dresden. In the context of this close partnership between StartUp and university, Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Maik Gude confirms "With our strategy at the ILK we want to promote technology transfer in Saxony through spin-offs with high-tech lightweight construction solutions and sustainable business models". Thus the latest company foundation from the ILK environment is imminent.
The multitude of possibilities to produce components with a unique variability and to integrate them into existing production lines is the big advantage and the biggest challenge at the same time. After all, this procedure turns production upside down to such an extent that completely new ways of thinking are required. In order to master this, the founding team accompanies the first customers in the product development process from the early stages of pre-development. Ultimately, it is the declared goal of the founding team to integrate ROBIN systems technology into modern production lines in such a way that the comprehensive advantages can be exploited to the maximum.