At NPE in Orlando, KraussMaffei is reinforcing its leading market position in North America as a system provider for premium quality injection molding machines, automation and intelligent Industry 4.0 solutions from a single source. The GX 900 with the new speed option is an efficient and cost-effective solution for the large packaging market. The GXW 450 FiberForm system with multicomponent technology is also premiering at NPE. It offers new areas of potential for thermoplastic fiber-reinforced lightweight construction. Other highlights at the KraussMaffei trade show booth include the all-electric PX 51, which offers high-precision in LSR processing, and the hydraulic CX 200 with inductive mold heat-balancing.Working with the customer to achieve success
"We are using the slogan 'our people help shape your success' to showcase groundbreaking injection molding and automation solutions at NPE. We help our customers achieve more efficiency and cost-effectiveness over the long term using our flexible standard machines and customized system solutions. The primary target group of our exhibits at NPE consists of the automotive, packaging, construction, medical and electronics industries," explains Paul Caprio, President of US subsidiary Krauss-Maffei Corporation in Florence, KY. You will be able to see a total of seven KraussMaffei injection molding machines with automation technology live in production at the KraussMaffei trade show booth and at partner booths.The GX speed makes packaging faster
In addition to high injection speeds, the primary requirement for thin wall articles for packaging and logistics solutions are short cycles. For this reason, KraussMaffei has added a new speed option to its proven 2-platen GX series which offers customers an optional choice of different injection speeds of up to 700 mm/s depending on the injection unit. The GX 900-12000 at NPE also includes faster clamping speeds of up to 0.45 s according to EUROMAP. "The GX with the speed option features an efficient, cost-effective and attractive alternative to manufacturing large components for the packaging and logistics industries – a market that has undergone continuous growth in the USA in recent years," says Caprio.The speed option really showcases its advantages at opening widths of 350 to 400 mm. In this way, the kinematic unit is similar to comparable toggle machines that also do not reach their maximum acceleration until the opening strokes are large. Enhanced parallel movements on the plasticizing side with the electrically driven plasticizing unit (E-Plast) support the short cycle times. PowerPack III features additional speed options such as a faster clamping force build-up, screw decompression or injection unit movement.
At NPE, the GX 900-12000 produces large 20 L buckets in a 2-cavity mold in an in-mold labeling process (IML). Thanks to the speed design, this occurs in short cycle times of less than 14 seconds. The GX 900 also features the proven KraussMaffei HPS high-performance barrier screw, which enables extremely fast melting and high shot weights. Overall, the throughput can be increased by up to 12 percent. "The IML application at NPE is the market debut for the GX series speed option. At the same time, a 20 L bucket is being produced in a 2-cavity mold using the IML process," says Caprio. Until now, these large buckets had mostly been printed. The speed option now enables these buckets to be produced cost-effectively in the IML process.
