Cost benefits of quick mould change systems

Quick tool change solutions for blowmoulding, rotomoulding and other applications are providing much-needed support in the bid towards cutting costs and ensuring high quality. Changing moulds quickly and easily to ensure continuous manufacturing operations has been a major concern for all plastics processors. Depending on the production set-up and structure, the mould change method used can vary from simple solutions to more advanced installations.
 For over 20 years, EAS has been leading innovator in the design and manufacture of automation solutions. The company offers complete single-source system solutions that include quick mould change (QMC) and quick die change (QDC) systems for the plastic injection moulding industry and for metal stamping applications; magnetic clamping systems (MCS) for injection moulds and dies; mono couplers, manual/automatic multi coupler systems for general industry use; mould and die rotation units, die splitters and other tool handling and storage equipment.
 Building on the company's extensive experience with QMC applications in the plastic injection moulding industry, EAS applies the same state-of-the-art technology to QDC solutions to match the operating conditions of presses and stamping machines in the sheet-metal and related industries. The larger variety of product designs, wider use of interchangeable parts, and greater flexibility during the manufacturing process for various industry types have all put more demands on man and machine. Fully automated moulding machines, metal presses and stamping installations are a frequent site in manufacturing plants. And whilst the reduction of production costs helps to make products more competitive, machines and applications have also become safer and easier for employees to operate.

Clamping solutions for injection moulding
EAS provides a simple adaptive clamping solution for new or existing injection moulding machines and other applications.
The manual bayonet clamping systems consists of a clamping adapter plate that is bolted to each platen using existing Euromap threaded holes. On the stationary side of the mould, the existing locating ring is replaced by one of bayonet centering adapters. The moveable side of the mould will also require a bayonet centering adapter. When loading the mould into the machine the stationary side bayonet adapter is pushed into the stationary clamping plate. The mould is located on the machine platen locating ring. The mould is locked in place by a simple 53 degrees rotation of the lever. The machine is closed and the process is repeated on the moving side. The systems are suitable for moulds that weight up to 2 tonnes and injection moulding or rubber moulding machines up to 250-tonne capacity. The clamping adapter plates are 17 or 22 mm thick with centering ring sizes of 100, 110, 125 and 160 mm. The manual system does not require mould standardisation other then mounting of the bayonet adapter rings. Bayonet adapter rings are also available for tools with insulating plates. EAS manual clamping solutions for SPI Platen Standards or SPI machines with multiple ejector bar holes are also available. These systems utilise a rack and pinion to rotate the lock ring to clamp the mould in place. The SPI manual clamp systems are equipped with removable handles. SPI clamping plates have a thickness of 1" inch. Bayonet adapter rings are available in a variety of configurations.
Hydraulic clamping is the ideal solution for more automated QMAir Max 95 Invigor Print