#Industry 4.0 / Digitalization

2025-10-16

Reifenhäuser wins German Design Award for new user interface

At K 2025 in Düsseldorf, the Reifenhäuser Group unveiled its new company-wide machine user interface, which offers a uniform design language for blown film, flat film, and nonwoven lines – and stands out for its particularly simple operation. The overall concept impressed not only customers, but also the jury of the German Design Awards, who honored the system with the prestigious design prize during the trade fair.

In times of a growing global shortage of skilled workers, simple and intuitive operation of production equipment is a decisive success factor. That is why Reifenhäuser has completely redesigned its human-machine interface (HMI) and introduced a visually appealing, responsive solution that sets new standards in usability.

The new interface combines the highly complex and heterogeneous requirements of different extrusion machines in a flexible and scalable system. Reifenhäuser presented the HMI at its open house during the K trade fair on its new EVO GEN3 and EVEREX blown film and flat film lines.

Operators can access every setting with a maximum of two clicks and, thanks to customizable dashboards and a clearly structured start-up page, retain full control over the entire extrusion process. The intelligent color concept and the intuitive, responsive touch interface significantly accelerate operation and reduce error potential.

The new development was carried out in collaboration with HMI Project, a renowned agency specializing in human-machine interfaces. Developed with a strong human-centered focus, the project aimed to simplify the daily operation of complex machines. Real-life usage scenarios were analyzed and validated through usability tests.

The result is a modular, scalable, and extremely flexible interface that combines technical sophistication with outstanding user-friendliness. Assistance systems, informative illustrations, and a clear visual hierarchy support operators in setting up, monitoring, and optimizing sensitive production processes.

The German Design Award is one of the most prestigious accolades in the international design landscape. Since 2012, it has identified and honored significant design trends in the fields of product design, communication design, and architecture.

Reifenhäuser NEXT: Tackling the skills shortage and achieving operational excellence with industrial AI

At K 2025, the Reifenhäuser Group will demonstrate Industrial AI's full potential for productivity in plastics processing. At the heart of the dedicated “Reifenhäuser NEXT” brand is a powerful AI chatbot that enables even inexperienced line operators to quickly solve complex tasks in their daily work, thereby maximizing availability, productivity, and quality.

Reifenhäuser strengthens field service operations in the Middle East and Africa

Reifenhäuser Group, a global leader in plastics extrusion technology, announces a significant expansion of its field service operations across the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region. Building on a longstanding presence in the region, which includes a sales office established in United Arab Emirates five years ago, Reifenhäuser is now taking a major step forward to enhance its local customer support and service capabilities.

Lenze at ITMA Asia 2025: Smart, Robust and Cost-Efficient Motor Drive System IE5/IE6 for the Textile Future

At the world's largest trade fair for textile and apparel technology, ITMA Asia (October 28-31, 2025 in Singapore), Lenze will be presenting innovative automation solutions for the textile value chain in Hall 7, Stand B201. The focus will be on energy-efficient drive packages, modular machine concepts and scalable software solutions - developed for mechanical engineers and end users who rely on sustainable technologies. Lenze has been a reliable partner to the textile industry for over 77 years.

Toray develops recycling technology that retains carbon fiber strength and surface quality

Toray Industries, Inc., announced today that it has developed a recycling technology that can decompose diverse carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP) made from thermosetting resins while retaining the strength and surface quality of those fibers. The company drew on this technology to create a nonwoven fabric employing recycled carbon fibers.

Panty liners prevent bacterial vaginosis

Worldwide, almost one third of women of childbearing age suffer from bacterial vaginosis. This is when the sensitive microbiome of the vagina becomes unbalanced. Such a disorder of the vaginal flora can cause urogenital infections, abscesses on the ovaries or fallopian tubes or premature births. This significantly increases the risk of infertility in women and of contracting a sexually transmitted disease or HIV.