At PLASTPOL 2019, from 28th to 31st May in Kielce, Poland, ENGEL AUSTRIA will be showing how the smallest batch sizes can be efficiently and economically realised in injection moulding with two applications. The system expert, headquartered in Austria, is presenting a highly integrated, assistance-supported production cell, a fully automated solution for the very fast switch of mould inserts.
In a second live presentation, ENGEL will be demonstrating how economical IML concepts can also be implemented for smaller numbers with one-shot production of ready-for-sale bucket lids. A third exhibit is a particularly compact servohydraulic injection moulding machine, which proves that ENGEL can combine top efficiency with performance and precision in multi-component processes using elastomers and thermoplastics.
“Poland is currently Europe’s growth champion,” as Piotr Nachilo, Managing Director of Warsaw-based ENGEL Polska explains. According to the Polish Statistics Office, economic output rose by 5.1 percent in real terms last year. “The country is at the forefront of an economic boom that has reached all of Eastern Central Europe in the past two years,” Nachilo continues. The economic boom in the country is ensuring a good mood in the run-up to the fair.
Variant production with fully automated switch-over
With its focus on small batch sizes, ENGEL is picking up an important trend at PLASTPOL 2019. In many areas, the number of variants is increasing while batch sizes are falling. Examples include consumer goods such as writing instruments, technical parts in the automotive and electrical sectors, but also a range of medical technology products. Moulds with interchangeable inserts are often used in injection moulding in order to be able to cover a high number of variants in a cost-effective way. With this trade fair exhibit, ENGEL is taking the principle a step even further in collaboration with Braunform (Bahlingen, Germany) and other system partners. The system solution presented here supports the fully automated exchange of mould inserts in just one minute. Therefore the ENGEL e-motion 170/120 TL injection moulding machine is equipped with a mould featuring the fast-switch mechanism patented by Braunform.
To make the potential of the new solution more tangible, the two geometrically different components of a calliper will be produced in rapid succession with a fast switch-over. After just ten shots, the injection moulding machine reports to the integrated ENGEL easix articulated robot that the batch is complete and unlocks the mould inserts. The robot first removes the last component that was produced, then changes the gripper and replaces the mould inserts. A complete changeover process from good part to good part production takes just one minute. authentig, the MES by ENGEL subsidiary T.I.G., ensures fast communication between the injection moulding machine and peripherals.
One of the challenges of this application is that the two components have different shot weights. However, in order to produce a good part with the first shot after the change, the injection moulding machine continuously self-optimises with the aid of three intelligent assistance systems from ENGEL’s inject 4.0 programme. While iQ weight control readjusts the melt volume for each individual shot, iQ clamp control determines the optimum clamping force and adjusts to it automatically. iQ flow control automatically adjusts temperature differences in the cooling water manifold circuit based on the measured values determined by e flomo and adjusts the pump capacity at the e-temp temperature control units to match the current process conditions.
The extremely compact design of the production cell at PLASTPOL is particularly eye-catching. The easix robot at the centre is responsible for the complete handling of the mould inserts and component parts, marking and assembling the injection moulded parts, and ejecting the callipers. The injection moulding machine, the station for the grippers and mould inserts, the laser printer, the assembly device and the conveyor unit are arranged in a star shape around the robot. Among other things, the tie-bar-less clamping unit of the e motion TL injection moulding machine contributes to the space-saving arrangement of the individual components. Barrier-free access to the mould area makes it possible for the robot to move in very close to the clamping unit without restricting its motion.
You can download the full document here: ENGEL_Press_release_Plastpol_2019_text
Why Should Be “A Paid-Subscriber” and “Advertiser”
Keeping an independent media in countries that impose limitations on self supporting media, will help to support the humankind’s freedom. If you believe it, please act to be a PRO-MEMBER by clicking “HERE“, or:
Please send your PR’s directly to the email address of the Chief-Editor in order to be published at once in the world via ” https://pimi.ir ” The address is: aasaatnia@live.com.
