Smart Mold, a company in which Sirmax Group holds a 50 percent stake and which specializes in optimizing the plastics injection molding process, will present a new solution called Aria at Plast 2026. It is software using an artificial intelligence-based system designed to support processors in managing process adjustments so that they are faster and more repeatable. The debut will take place at the international plastics and rubber trade fair in Milan, which will run from June 9 to 12. The system was developed to address one of the industry's typical production problems. Any change in manufacturing conditions, such as a mold change, machine downtime, a material change or the occurrence of defects, requires the process to be retuned, which often depends on the individual operator's experience. Ineffective adjustments, in turn, mean waste, unproductive machine time and energy losses.
Smart Mold's software is intended to support the operator precisely at this stage, helping restore optimal process conditions more quickly through recommendations based on part defect analysis. In practice, Aria measures part quality, identifies defects and indicates the most effective corrective actions to achieve the required quality level faster. The solution therefore goes beyond inspection alone and also serves as a decision-support tool. The system uses computer vision and artificial intelligence algorithms to continuously measure defect severity. This makes it possible to assess whether the process is improving, deteriorating or requires targeted adjustment. At the same time, the experience gained during mold trials and process fine-tuning is transformed into a shared knowledge base that can also be used over time by less experienced operators.
Presentation at the Sirmax stand and demonstration with Wittmann Group
During Plast 2026, Aria will be presented on Wednesday, June 10 at 11:30 a.m. at the Sirmax Group stand, C102 in hall 9, during a live stream dedicated to a detailed presentation of the technology. The solution will also be shown at the Wittmann Group stand, B121 in hall 22, where visitors will be able to see it operating on an injection molding machine.
As Giovanni Lucchetta, founder and CEO of Smart Mold, explains, "In an industrial context where specialized skills are becoming increasingly difficult to find, Aria helps companies standardize the process, reduce dependence on individual expert knowledge and make quality management more accessible. The goal is to bring process intelligence directly to the press, making molding more efficient, stable and repeatable. We are proud to have achieved this result, the outcome of years of research and experimentation, and to now be able to offer our customers such a high level of innovation."
Test results and integration method
According to the company, the solution has already been successfully tested and delivered measurable results. The average number of trials needed to achieve the required quality was reduced from 25 to 3, and the number of rejected parts from 128 to 8. This is said to correspond to an 88 percent reduction in the number of setup trials and a 94 percent reduction in scrap during process restart. In practice, this means a faster return to the required quality and improved production continuity.
Aria can be integrated with any injection molding machine, including older models or machines not connected to a network. Where digital interfaces are not available, the system can retrieve data directly from the machine monitor. The installation includes a vision system consisting of industrial cameras, controlled lighting and a local processing unit, without the need to modify the press.
Sirmax portfolio at Plast 2026
In addition to the new Smart Mold software, Sirmax will present in Milan a broad portfolio of six main compound families developed in cooperation with customers through co-design processes. This includes polypropylene, whether unfilled, filled, fiber-reinforced or modified, as well as high-performance engineering plastics based on styrene, specialty plastics and blends offered under the Iso and Dafne brands.
The materials on display will also include Xelter thermoplastic elastomers, positioned as an alternative to vulcanized rubber and providing a soft-touch effect, as well as biocompounds and green versions of all product lines with varying shares of post-consumer or post-industrial recycled content. Circular products include Green Iso, covering PP and EPC, and Green Xelter for TPE, while Biocomp is a group of compostable and biodegradable materials.
According to the company, these materials are designed to deliver high performance, versatility and a sustainable approach, with applications covering automotive, household appliances, construction, electronics, packaging, and sport and leisure. In the electrical and electronics sector, which according to Sirmax is growing particularly fast and requires high-performance materials and rigorous certification, the company has established a dedicated business unit, allocating resources to new facilities, laboratories and specialized staff.
