SLIDESHOW: Technology Showcase, After K

Foboha showcased its patented cube technology with which molds do not rotate horizontally but vertically around the axis. The cube system excels in mass-produced parts, but also in parts with additional integrated assembly steps, such as in-mold-assembly.

Ecodry from Frigel is a unique central cooler broke new ground in plastics process cooling. It serves as the primary component of an integrated, closed-loop intelligent cooling system that uses ambient air to deliver clean water at the right temperature year round. Ecodry is proven to dramatically reduce water and energy use to help processors achieve optimal operational efficiencies and maximize sustainability. Proven in thousands of installations, it provides advantages that have long been accepted as unavoidable with traditional cooling systems like cooling towers.

Mold monitoring from Haidlmair enables the mold user to always keep an eye on their mold regardless of location. You can monitor, record and analyze many different production specific data in real time just with the installation of a simple data logger. It is possible to detect deviations from the ideal data. A fast and adequate intervention in the production process prevents any problems which could be caused otherwise.

Long service life and minimal outlay on maintenance is the goal of Hasco’s new Z14/... guide bushes with its self-lubricating properties. It has a highly wear-resistant sliding surface in sintered metal, with fine-pored solid lubricant and embedded oil in the integrated solid lubricant reservoirs.

Under the name Plastics 4.0, the KraussMaffei Group bundles its solutions into three categories: Intelligent Machines, Integrated Production, and Interactive Services. Intelligent Machines represents intelligent, selfoptimizing machines, which improve productivity and quality. Integrated Production symbolizes seamlessly networked production, in which the individual machines and components communicate with each other and autonomously control the processes accordingly. Interactive Services must in turn be equated with systems and services based on state-of-the-art communication technologies in the environment of fast and globally active service.

RocTool did live demonstrations on a KraussMaffei CX 160-750 with a double cavity tool machined in collaboration with GF Machining Solutions. Laser texturing solutions allow end product value effects—with incomparable quality and high-definition surfaces due to texturing at a sub-micron scale.

Ultra Helix™ valve gate technology from Husky makes it possible to direct gate parts with gate vestige so clean it is often unmeasurable, according to the company. Ultra Helix also simplifies cold half machining requirements to integrate the hot runner with the mold.

The DF 12 nozzle with a MultiPower heater and the HEM hydraulic miniature valve gate cylinder with a rear-adjustable valve pin through the tooling plate are new from Incoe.

Meusburger showed off new slide technology, locks, hydraulics and sprues, but also pushed its multifunctional H 1000 clamping system, which enables precise clamping of the plates with repeatable accuracy in the µ-range. The H 4062 assembly table facilitates repair and assembly work on molds. Air cushions on the underside of the moveable plates enable a light and easy movement of the mold halves. Both mold halves are freely accessible without having to reposition or turn them around, enabling efficient operating.

Since no melt channel can be drilled around the corner, the new PSG Plastic Service manifold was divided in length in order to perfectly mill out the melt channel from the two halves. The two halves are then hard soldered together. This new manifold was created to meet strict medical requirements and the highest demands for color changes.

RJG’s newly developed 6-mm cavity pressure sensor is ideal for high cavitation molds with small, tightly packed ejector pins. It allows customers to measure cavity pressure in order to improve quality and reduce costs.

StackTeck Systems made the cold half prototype for Milacron’s Klear Can with in-mold labeling using Milacron’s multi-layer co-injection technology. The first production system for Klear Cans is expected to hit the market in first quarter 2017.

The DL-1B nozzle from Thermoplay is provided with extended tip and it is suggested when the injection point is located in critical positions and when the application requires the use of a very small tip. It is possible to personalize the tip inclination, depending on the position of injection point. This nozzle can be used both for internal and external injection of the molding parts. The available diameters are 18,22, 30, 44 mm and the tip can be tilted up to 55 degrees. They are generally used to inject materials, such as PP, PE, TPE, PS, ABS and, with caution, POM.

Toshiba Machine did live demos with its EC180SXII, a 1760-kN (200 US ton) all-electric injection molding machine, showing attendees how they can mold and assemble complex, multi-material parts with precision and ease in an integrated automation cell requiring minimal floor space.

After completing the market launch of the servo-hydraulic SmartPower series, Wittmann Battenfeld introduced the first multi-component model from this machine series under the Combimould brand name. The machines of the SmartPower series stand out by their energy-saving servo drive technology as standard equipment. This technology is also installed in the multi-component machines, which means that every single injection unit of the SmartPower Combimould comes with its own servo-hydraulic drive. The resulting enormous advantages for users are extreme energy efficiency and separate, parallel operation of all injection aggregates. This enables the realization of extremely short cycle times with low energy consumption.

The major attraction at the Arburg booth was the new hybrid Allrounder 1120 H with a clamping force of 6,500 kN and the Gestica control system. A popular giveaway at the show was Arburg's silicone wristwatches.