Heavy-duty all-electric machines boost productivity

Injection moulding machine is considered one of the most important plastic processing machinery, accounting for 60%-85% in developed countries, and it finds application mainly in fields like automobile, household appliances, food & beverage packaging, plastic building materials, and electronic communications, according to a report by Research and Markets. Thus, many recent developments in plastic production point towards the use of injection moulding machines. In this aspect, the use of all-electric systems have gained popularity among manufacturers of various types of plastic products.  

Sumitomo (SHI) Demag's SE-EV-HD high-duty all-electric injection moulding machine, for instance, has been designed for thicker-walled parts and parts with a combination of thick and thin walls. Ideally suited for parts with cycle times 15 seconds and up, this high-duty series provides longer and higher pack and hold pressures — including full pressure for up to 40% of the moulding cycle — while maintaining exceptional moulding stability.
Available in 112, 146 and 202 U.S. tonne models (1000, 1300 and 1800 kN), the SE-EV-HD combines the high-pressure capabilities of a hybrid/hydraulic with all the advantages of an all-electric: energy efficiency, clean/quiet operation, less maintenance and operating costs, and improved precision and repeatability. The high-power, injection servo system enables longer hold times and prevents sink marks and cosmetic issues with thick-walled parts.

Other advanced features of the SE-EV-HD include: high-contact nozzle force with selectable settings; high-speed direct-drive motor for clamping; field-proven high-precision clamping unit; plated, bush-less tie bars for a clean moulding area; toggle linkage lock-up mechanism that uses no electricity to hold clamp closed; wider tie bar spacing and improved platen support system (linear guidance) for large, complex and heavier moulds; and standard 4x16 in. ejector pattern (SE180EV-HD).

Full injection moulding capabilities
Key to the precision and moulding stability of the SE-EV-HD are the full Z-moulding capabilities and the ISC II servo controller.

Sumitomo (SHI) Demag’s Z Control is the easy-to-use PC-based control that provides a new level of injection moulding precision with low-pressure filling and reduced clamp force. The user-friendly Z Control combines the advantages of the popular N-Series controls with new systems and capabilities to help moulders achieve zero-defect moulding and optimum machine performance.

Designed to help moulders achieve zero-defect moulding and optimum machine performance, Z-moulding combines three unique systems. The Z-Moulding's Flow Front Control (FFC) System takes advantage of the energy in the flow front of the resin to complete filling in an even fashion as opposed to forcing material into open areas and thus flashing or over-packing the areas that were already filled. The Z-Moulding's Minimum Clamping Moulding (MCM) System works together with the machine's Clamp Force Correcting System to compensate for the thermal expansion of the mould. Using a high precision rotary encoder and tie-bar-mounted strain gauge sensor, this feedback system keeps clamping force constantly stable, even at low clamp force settings. The Z-Moulding's Simple Process Setting (SPS) System allows easy setup and operation while helping the operator avoid oversights and mistakes

SE-EV-HD customers also get the benefits of attractive financing options and Sumitomo (SHI) Demag's extensive service and support network. The comprehensive 24/48 Warranty comes with all SE Series machines.  
Higher injection moulding precision

The all-electric injection moulding machine from Milacron, Roboshot, is the next generation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in injection moulding machines. The machine feature higher precision and reliable moulding capabilities than ever before. Engineered for greater rigidity, Roboshot’s proven performance makes it the perfect solution for cleanrooms and other injection moulding environments that demand precise process control, high speed injection and consistent repeatability.

Roboshot’s AI, mould and eject protection, and injection moulding preventative maintenance features keep plastics processors running smoothly. Roboshot can alert the operator before problems occur, providing more effective maintenance, fewer repairs and less down-time for both the machine and the mould itself, and its user-friendly functionality enables operator to take advantage of these features with minimal training.
High Response (HR) Control provides selection from eight different modes for the pressure transfer from injection to pack for optimum moulding of the part. For thick wall parts, HR Control excels in the prevention of sink marks. For thin wall parts, it prevents warping and improves the uniformity of wall thickness.

With no oil supply, filtration or disposal, Roboshot is the energy-saving “green” machine that will help reduce operational costs. It is engineered to reduce energy consumption by as much as 50% to 80% with repeatable and precise cycles that are 5 to 50% faster compared with hydraulic machines.

Roboshot’s moving platen now incorporates a new 2-piece structure designed to reduce platen deflection. The 2-piece design suppresses even the slightest deformation of the platen by concentrating the clamping force of the toggle mechanism into the centre of the platen. Uniform clamping force applied to the center of the mould assures quality part production. Increased tonnage and maximum mould height are available as options.
The horizontal distance between the tie bars has been extended to accommodate wider, multi-cavity moulds as well as larger, more complex moulds. The wider platens also make mould setup easier.

The S2000i-B Series injection units have been engineered for greater rigidity. A new high precision, high resolution digital load cell ensures quality moulding through precision pressure control without influence by outside noise. The highly rigid and low friction injection unit combined with the precise, high resolution digital load cell results in fast injection response and precise pressure control required in precision moulding.

Roboshot’s 31-iB Control incorporates high-speed parallel processors with 64-bit technology. With a sampling time of 1/16,000 second in combination with the latest servo technology. The 31-iB Control is equipped with Windows CE™ display operating system. storage for 300 mould files, Ethernet connection for LINKi and printing to memory card, and PCMCIA memory card slot for printing to memory card and screenshot capture.

The MOULD 24i Option includes a quality radar for 40 items or more, moulding parameter change log, run hour analysis, process monitor, and alarm log. By using the Roboshot as a measuring instrument and the MOULD 24i Option as a data collection and analysis unit, it is possible to measure the viscosity of the resin with the Resin Characteristic Evaluation Option. Measurement is automatically conducted merely by setting the measurement conditions in the Roboshot Control. It is possible to accurately analyse moulding problems attributable to resin, such as variations between resin lots and the difference in viscosity between recycled and virgin materials. The results can be used as indexes for problem solving. Analysis results can be stored in the resin database of the MOULD 24i.