KraussMaffei shows off latest injection molding technologies at Fakuma

Better injection molding productivity can often only be achieved with lots of small steps which add up to create a great effect. Under the exhibition motto "Productivity PLUS", KraussMaffei is exhibiting small and medium-sized injection molding machines at the Fakuma (Hall A7/Booth 7303), illustrating how intelligent plasticizing, control and automation solutions can improve productivity. The focus of the exhibition is applications using the new hydraulic CX series and the all-electric AX SilcoSet for processing liquid silicone rubber.

With resources now limited and raw materials are becoming ever more expensive, reducing the amount of energy, oil and material used in production will be  worthwhile in the long run. That is why, for example, the drive concept of the new CX has been energy-optimized, giving the machine an intelligent memory management system needing ten percent less power, according to Dr. Hans Ulrich Golz, Managing Director of KraussMaffei and President of the Injection Molding Machinery segment of the KraussMaffei Group.

Further significant savings potential can be found in the new machine function APC (adaptive process control), which allows the injection molding machine to restart quickly and to process even difficult batches of material with high proportions of recycled materials into premium quality components. Savings potential can be found in the excellent homogenization of the HPS screw, which enables, for example, the color master batch proportion to be reduced by up to 30 percent.

Exciting surface effects with laser and hologram look are being created at the Fakuma on a CX 160. This is made possible, for example by a dynamically inductive mold temperature control system (Dynamic Mold Heating – DMH) from RocTool and with the tooling expertise of Roctooling. The molds have special surfaces with different effects (matt, high-gloss, with punched holes), impressively demonstrating the design options for premium quality visible components. DMH is an excellent example of production efficiency. There is no need for additional film technology, said  Jochen Mitzler, head of Strategic Product Management at KraussMaffei.

Like all KraussMaffei exhibits, the CX 160 is equipped with the new, intuitively operated MC6 multitouch control system, which enables all injection molding machines and automation components to be centrally controlled. With a 24-inch monitor, even complex processes can be executed with gestures and swipes. The SlideX guide track ground into the glass enables the operator to control the movements of the machine without having to look.

The FiberForm process developed by KraussMaffei combines injection molding with thermoforming of composite sheets to further improve the strength of fiber-reinforced plastics. As a result, the combination of lightweight materials and design in the construction enables new fiber-reinforced thermoplastic components to be manufactured with particularly high strengths. At the Fakuma, a CX 300 will be producing airbag housings in cycle times of 42 seconds.

Another exhibit is the production of a nasal ventilator made of liquid silicone rubber. The product runs on an all-electric AX with 500 kN clamping force in a four-piece mold. The SPX 10 sprue picker with extended function takes the parts, separates them and deposits them. The Elmet metering and mixing unit provides for optimum draining of residual fluids, ensuring that no material goes to waste. The AX SilcoSet is suitable for use in cleanrooms and is approved for medical use. All-electric AX series injection molding machines from KraussMaffei feature resource-efficient manufacturing with high repeatability. They earn a rating of Class 9+ on energy efficiency tests.