The high-speed El-Exis SP 420 machine produces four polypropylene trays in a 2+2 stack mould. The machine uses an injection compression process that involves depositing plasticised material in the cavity prior to complete mould closure. The closing movement supports the even distribution of the plasticised material in the cavity, reduces the injection pressure requirement and the required clamping force, ensures that the pressure is distributed evenly and, as a consequence, reduces the residual stress in the finished part. Warping due to shrinkage is less pronounced as a result, reducing the wall thicknesses as well as the weight of the moulded part. Compression at the highest mould and injection movement velocity, termed speed compression, is a particular challenge for the injection moulding machine and its sensors, control and drive technology. A high-speed extraction robot supplied by Sepro, La Roche sur Yon/France, intervenes from the side in both parting levels of the stack mould from Plastisud, Castelnaudary/France to remove the four containers.
As a consequence, the two El-Exis SP machines are most likely the fastest machines for the production of decorated containers and also the fastest exhibits with an injection compression function. They underline the market leadership of Sumitomo (SHI) Demag with a share of over 20 % when it comes to injection moulding machines for the manufacture of plastic packaging.
Systec Servo: Modular hybrid technology for complex process technologies
With its activeMotionControl technology, the Systec Servo possess a hybrid drive concept optimised for maximum performance and the highest energy efficiency where cycle times exceeding around 10 seconds are involved, as is the case with moulded parts for the automotive and household appliance industry and consumer goods. It is available in the Sumitomo (SHI) Demag product portfolio in nine clamping forces between 500 and 4,200 kN.Sumitomo (SHI) Demag has already demonstrated combination IMD surface decoration and the integration of further functions in complete installations at the last trade shows in Friedrichshafen and Shanghai. The company will present a new highlight in this process technology at K 2016. The result is a production unit with a Systec Servo 280 machine at its centre, which, with the aid of in-mould decoration (IMD), creates decorated and, simultaneously, backlit door trim as an application that demonstrates the utmost sophistication in process and application technology. Contrary to standard applications, the decoration does not involve a full-surface cohesive and printed plastic film, but rather a porous wooden structure, which, in addition to the surface print for the daytime design, also enables ambient lighting as a night design.
