Managing multi-component processes with LSR
ENGEL will also underline the efficiency potential of its tie-bar-less technology with its second trade fair exhibit. Over the four days of the event, ENGEL will use a victory 200H/200L/160 combi injection moulding machine with integrated viper 40 linear robot to produce two-component pressure accumulator membranes used in pressure compensation containers. In a single workstep, the machine will process PBT and LSR simultaneously in a two-component mould. The integrated injection process in this application makes it possible to bond thermoplastics and silicone in stable layers.Because the tie-bar-less clamping unit fully uses the mould mounting platen to the edge, the bulky two-component mould for the pressure accumulator membranes can be installed on a relatively compact 160-ton machine, thus keeping down both the investment costs and the operating expenses. Moreover, the linear robot can access the cavities directly from the side, without having to negotiate obstacles, and operate safely in that area. The third efficiency factor is the very high level of process consistency ensured by the tie-bar-less design of the clamping unit. The patented force divider enables the moving mould mounting platen to follow the mould in a precisely parallel manner while clamping force is building up and ensures that the clamping force is evenly distributed across the platen. This way, both the outer and inner cavities are kept closed with exactly the same force, which reduces mould wear and raises product quality. “To manufacture high-tech products of liquid silicone in a cost-effective way, you need burr-free, waste-free, fully automated processing of LSR with no reworking required,” says Topucar.
Keeping an eye on production
The two injection moulding machines at the ENGEL trade fair stand are linked to each other. Machine states and process data can be tracked in real time using a central computer. In this way, ENGEL will showcase further products from its inject 4.0 range at the Istanbul fair. For example, e-connect.24 enables remote maintenance of injection moulding machines and production cells, even at distant production locations. Qualified ENGEL service engineers can be contacted directly 24 hours a day, seven days a week. As soon as they receive a service request, they use a secure remote connection to start troubleshooting and providing specific online support. In many cases, the problem can be resolved directly via the internet, thus saving the user a time-consuming and expensive on-site call by a service engineer while increasing the production line's availability.One special highlight of the ENGEL trade fair stand will be the presentation of the new e connect customer portal, the future platform for communication between ENGEL and its customers. The fully revised version supports the optimum use of inject 4.0 products while providing an overview of the machine park, the processing status of service and support orders and the prices and availability of spare parts – any time and anywhere. "We are offering visitors to the trade fair an exclusive preview of the amazingly clear design, intuitive navigation and the new features of our customer portal," says Abdulkadir Topucar in the run-up to Plast Eurasia. As of April 2018, e-connect will be available in Turkey.
Source: ENGEL
