Stacking for advanced players – reopening with play corner
On July 3, 2025, Wittmann invited guests to the grand opening of its expanded technical center in Nuremberg. Numerous innovative applications were presented during the event, including a special highlight from SKZ: a component that not only impresses in research, but also makes the eyes of “big kids” light up.
Building block corner in Wittmann's newly opened technical center in Nuremberg (Image: Wittmann)
Foamed building blocks made from sustainable PCR materials and jeans!
The SKZ building block tool was used in injection molding trials with post-consumer recycled (PCR) materials from WildPlastic in combination with Wittmann's Cellmould foam injection molding process. Under the motto “Just do it,” the potential of sustainable materials was demonstrated. Plastic waste collected locally around the world was processed into building blocks on a Cellmould injection molding machine. No plastic waste was generated during the tests, as the building blocks are sought-after objects for all age groups.
A special experimental approach: in one material series, concentrates from recycled denim fabric were even used, which were added directly as a “masterbatch.”
The SKZ tool used was supplied by GHD-Präzisionsformenbau and has a long history – it celebrated its premiere at the Wittmann booth at K 2010. Even then, the quality of the building block was monitored using an inline thermography system (SKZ-TDI).
Thermoplastic foam injection molding has been a central research topic at SKZ for almost a decade and is firmly anchored in the research, education, and service offerings for industry.
“We are very pleased about our long-standing and close partnership with Wittmann in the field of thermoplastic foam injection molding,” emphasizes Bernhard Hennrich, Group Manager R&D Injection Molding at SKZ. “The expansion of the existing Cellmould system (SmartPower, 2400 kN clamping force) with gas injection technology (GIT) and the planned conversion to sandwich injection molding open up new opportunities for research.”
The first course on gas injection technology took place at SKZ this year in cooperation with Wittmann, covering both theoretical and practical aspects. The system and all testing and component tools are also available for customer trials.
An overview of the standard and special test specimens and component tools available can be found here.
