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Thermoplastic composites represent a new class of structural parts for automotive and a new opportunity for injection and compression molders. Machinery systems are still evolving, but the latest advances in automation, speed, energy efficiency, and materials efficiency will be presented at the first-ever Thermoplastic Composites Conference for Automotive next month in Novi, Mich.

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Organized by the editors of Plastics Technology and sister publications Composites Technology, High-Performance Composites, and Automotive Design and Production, this event will present 17 speakers in a day and a half of technical presentations, co-located with the amerimold 2014 expo, also sponsored by Gardner Business Media, parent of Plastics Technology. The conference will comprise four sessions on Materials and Applications, Machinery Systems, Processes, and Long-Fiber Thermoplastic Composites. Thursday's blog by Senior Editor Lilli Sherman previewed Session I on Materials and Applications. Today, I’ll give you a quick look at Session II on Machinery Systems.

Three injection machinery suppliers that have pioneered this new area of technology will discuss their latest developments, along with a major controls supplier developing sensors for this application:

“Integrating Injection Molding with Organic Sheet” by Stephen Beasley, regional sales manager for automotive, KraussMaffei Corp., will discuss complete integration of automation, turnkey solutions, and what’s next in this field.

“Thermoplastic RTM—Challenges and Opportunities” by Peter Egger, director of the Center for Lightweight Composite Technologies, Engel Austria, will present the latest developments in systems for reactive molding and in-situ polymerization of nylon 6 from caprolactam.

“Hybrid Components: Combining Long-Fiber Direct Injection Molding with Organic Sheets and Automated Insert Molding Using Turnkey Systems” by John Ward, v.p. of sales and marketing, Arburg Inc., will describe systems that overmold organic sheets with long-fiber compounds produced by chopping continuous-fiber rovings at the injection barrel.

“Sensing Technology for Thermoplastic Composites Injection Molding” by Paul Lagonegro, application manager-plastics, Kistler Instrument Co., will discuss pressure sensors tailored for the special needs of this process and the benefits they can offer.

Stay tuned for previews of Sessions III and IV in the next two days. For details on the conference, visit here. For details on the amerimold show and conference, visit .