Safe: Face mask on Allrounder 570 E Golden Electric
A face mask will be injection moulded in a 4-cavity mould from Polarform Werkzeugbau GmbH. The sample part will run on a 570 E Golden Electric Allrounder during Chinaplas. The high-end system with this machine for LSR processing is a novelty in Asia. The Allrounder 570 E Golden Electric is defined here as an entry-level machine with maximum precision for the special application of LSR injection moulding. It has a clamping force of 2,000 kN and a 800 injection unit with a 45-millimetre LSR screw and no mixing or compression zone. A special non-return valve is also used for low-viscosity material. A Wacker Chemie AG LSR optimised for medical technology is processed. The moulded part weight is around 42 grams and the cycle time some 60 seconds. The extreme undercut of the mask and different wall thicknesses with the very thin lip make the injection moulding of these parts highly complex. The gripper on the Multilift Select robotic system with a 15-kilogram load capacity in transverse design ensures precise, smooth removal. It comes from Barth Mechanik GmbH, and the dosing system from Chinese manufacturer Mucomac in Shenzhen. The system is completed by a CoolShot cold runner system from Ewikon with electrically needle-type shut-off system and a cooling unit from Shini in Taipei. For medical technology, which is also one of the most important industries in this region, clean production with maximum process control is indispensable. Arburg can fully guarantee this with this configuration.
Large: Allrounder 820 S with equipment for FDC processing
The largest Arburg machine at Chinaplas will be a hydraulic Allrounder 820 S optimised for fibre direct compounding (FDC). The machine has a clamping force of 4,000 kN and a 3200 injection unit equipped with a 70-millimetre special screw for long glass fibre processing. The aXw Control ScrewPilot, which allows reproducible mould filling via the control of injection pressure and speed is also included as necessary basic equipment. A platform will produced with a PP as base material. The single-cavity mould has a hot runner with needle-type shut-off nozzles. The moulded part weight is 700 grams and the cycle time some 80 seconds.
The FDC lightweight construction process is characterised by high material availability and up to 40 per cent lower costs compared to special long-fibre granules. FDC moulded parts are used in all innovative sectors of plastics processing, such as automotive construction or the aerospace industry. The physical properties that can be achieved are due to the individually adaptable long fibres. The FDC unit directly on the injection unit is integrated into the Selogica control system, as is the entire process, and includes a servo-electric lateral feeder with built-in cutting device, an adapted cylinder, and special screw geometry.
The moulded parts are removed from the single mould via a Multilift Select robotic system with a load capacity of 15 kilograms. Downstream, the items are weighed inline via a scale automation system for quality assurance, entered into the process documentation, and then deposited on a conveyor belt.
Arburg will also be demonstrating the potential of freeformers for additive manufacturing on two exhibits at Chinaplas 2022. Photo: Arburg
Business potential in China and Asia remains high
According to Zhao Tong, the exhibits at Chinaplas 2022 are a perfect match for the current market requirements in China: "The automotive industry is becoming increasingly energised by developments and applications in the field of e-mobility. In medical technology, Arburg can make an important contribution to more stable supply chains thanks to its central production, its on-time delivery, and the high reliability of its Allrounders. More and more companies are also looking to IT solutions such as the arburgXworld customer portal and the ALS host computer system to increase their production efficiency. With our products and technologies that are "Made in Germany", we are in the right place at the right time. Because - and this is also demonstrated by our involvement in Chinaplas - we can offer our customers regionalised services to fully support them in increasing quality, efficiency and resource conservation in their companies."
