With the help of EU funds, international plastic welding machine manufacturer FIAB has established a large research and development centre (RDC) at its headquarters in Wroclaw, Poland. The centre has significantly increased the company’s know-how, competitiveness, its staff complement and level of innovation. New designs, solutions and procedures have allowed the company to keep up with important markets such as the automotive and medical industries.
FIAB: Combining R&D efforts in the plastic welding industry
- 26 September 2019
I am proud to manage such an institution. As part of the signed cooperation agreement with the Wrocław Technical University, we organise student internships and we edit the topics of BA and MA theses, providing all possible help to graduates and possible future employees of FIAB.
The centre is carrying out several projects in its new laboratories, ranging from developing energy-saving power devices and analysing and modifying existing machines, to developing and testing new automated production technologies in collaboration with science institutes.
Intensifying R&D activities
The RDC has several laboratories involved in the production of welding machines and their functionalities.
One of them focuses on the electromagnetic fields and compatibility of welding machines in their construction stage. In this laboratory, FIAB carries out specialised tests and measurements, aimed at expanding its market potential. For instance, the lab contains a temperature chamber, where strength tests can be carried out in the range of -70°C to +270°C. This allows the company to reach potential customers who operate in different climate zones and extreme temperatures.
The RDC houses a laboratory dedicated to the production of prototype machines. FIAB is using its own designs to come up with new production technologies for welding machines.One of its designs has led to the production of a machine that welds PVC reinforcements for velour car mats of various car brands. The construction of the prototype machine lab has led to the expansion of the company’s staff.
Decreasing energy usage
A third laboratory in the RDC focuses on optimising the energy efficiency of power devices. One of the projects aims to develop a power device compatible with high-frequency welding machines, to improve the latter’s energy efficiency. Another project focused on development of a measuring station to test the power adjustment, arcing protection system and temperature control of welding tools. The energy efficiency lab has hired new staff and is expected to further expand its workforce as the lab’s potential increases.
Founded in the early 1950s, FIAB has evolved from a local Swedish company to a large manufacturer of high frequency welding equipment, providing services to sectors including transportation, architecture, automotive, medical and printing. In 2010, the company moved its management and manufacture plants from Sweden to Poland, where the RDC is located. Thanks to the centre’s activities, FIAB was given the Polish Smart Growth Award in 2018.Four women and 13 men were hired during the course of the project.
Total investment and EU funding
Total investment for the project “FIAB – Creation of R&D centre for machine welding of plastics” is EUR 5 921 123, with the EU’s European Regional Development Fund contributing EUR 1 452 739 through the “Smart Growth” Operational Programme for the 2014-2020 programming period. The investment falls under the priority “Internal Market”.