ENGEL at Plast 2018 in Milan

Technical Moulding: LSR and PBT precisely combined in a tie-bar-less machine

Multi-component processes with liquid silicone (LSR) and thermoplastic resins are continuing to gain ground. In many applications, only the integrated ENGEL combimelt process makes it possible to bond thermoplastics and silicone together in stable layers. One example of this are coupling cushions that serve as windshield fasteners for rain sensors. During the trade fair, the two-component parts will be produced using PBT and LSR on an ENGEL victory 200H/200L/160 combi injection moulding machine with an integrated ENGEL viper 40 linear robot. The 4+4 cavity mould for these applications is made by Rico (Thalheim, Austria).

Manufacturing two-component parts optimally leverages the efficiency potential of the victory machine's tie-bar-less clamping unit, which allows large, bulky moulds to be mounted on relatively small machines. For many applications, that makes it possible to invest in smaller injection moulding machines than the mould dimensions would traditionally require. Automation is a second efficiency factor. The ENGEL linear robot can reach the cavities directly from the side and operate safely without having to circumvent any protruding edges. Thirdly, the extremely high process consistency constructively ensured by the tie-bar-less clamping unit factors significantly into the high degree of overall efficiency. The patented force divider enables the moving mould mounting platen to follow the mould exactly while clamping force is building up and ensures that the clamping force is evenly distributed across the platen face. Both the outer and inner cavities are therefore kept closed with exactly the same force, reducing mould wear and raising product quality. The burr-free, zero-waste, rework-free, and fully automatic processing of LSR is the key element in the economic manufacturing of high-tech products from liquid silicone.

Inject 4.0: Self-optimising injection moulding machine

When it comes to pushing the envelope of what is technically possible, digitalisation and networking are leading injection moulding processing into the future – this once again becomes apparent at the exhibition booth of ENGEL at the Plast 2018. In its machine exhibits and in multiple Expert Corners, ENGEL will present repeatedly proven as well as new products from its inject 4.0 programme. The modularity of the inject 4.0 approach makes it especially easy for plastics processors to take advantage of the opportunities offered by Industry 4.0. With the production of inject 4.0 logos on an ENGEL emotion 80 TL injection moulding machine, ENGEL will demonstrate how individual solutions can already provide a great deal of benefit. The CC300 machine control is capable of simulating process fluctuations; the automatic readjustments by the intelligent assistance systems can then be tracked on the display of the machine. While iQ weight control maintains consistent injected melt volume throughout the entire injection moulding process, iQ clamp control monitors the mould breathing in order to calculate and automatically adjust the optimal clamping force.