Injection Molding Machine has 3.5 sec total cycle time.
Press Release Summary:
Model K-TEC 155 S, with hybrid drive and 1550 kN clamping force, is equipped with hydraulics and electric plasticizing drive. Automation system utilizes Heli-U 1700 clean-room robot, which inserts labels into 4-cavity mold that is directly injected over with thin-walled PP container. Extraction of container and insertion of new label occur in parallel during mold opening time of 0.9 sec. Compact design provides unobstructed access on three sides of clamp.
Original Press Release:
First time demonstrated in the U.S.: High-Speed In-Mould Package-Labelling Cell Features 3.5 Sec. Cycle on Hybrid Machine from Ferromatik Milacron Europe
March 2003 - Ferromatik Milacron Europe, in conjunction with robotics manufacturer Hekuma, has developed a dazzlingly fast automatic manufacturing cell for containers based on an in-mould labelling process running on a K-TEC 155 S injection moulding machine. This system can be seen in the U.S. for the first time at the NPE 2003 on the Hekuma exhibition stand in South Hall, Level 3, Booth 291.
The K-TEC 155 S is a high performance injection moulding machine with hybrid drive and 1550 kN clamping force. This variation of the K-TEC 155 S is equipped with newly developed hydraulics for high-speed clamp movements for short cycle times. A special screw and a high-performance electric plasticizing drive complement the fast clamp with short plasticizing times, energy-saving operation and overlapped functions. These innovations are trendsetting milestones for packaging applications which have been in use for some time on other machines from Ferromatik Milacron Europe.
The automation system for the cell was conceived and built by Hekuma, and utilizes the company's Heli-U 1700 clean-room robot. Placement of the labels in the mould is designed for extreme efficiency and ensures fast sequences of movement.
The sophisticated robot system from Hekuma inserts a label into a 4-cavity mould which is then directly injected over with a thin-walled PP container. Extraction of the container and the insertion of a new label occur in parallel during the short mould opening time of 0.9 seconds. Total cycle time amounts to a mere 3.5 seconds, which makes extreme demands on the peripheral equipment as well as the injection moulding machine.
A number of structural characteristics make the K-TEC 155 S ideal for this manufacturing cell. The overall compact design with an extremely short injection unit saves space which can be utilized for peripheral equipment, which includes an impulse cooling system from Wieder. Its precise control of the coolant allows a reduction of both cooling and overall cycle times. Generous space around the clamping unit and the large open area around the parts drop-out chute ensure a jam-free flow of ejected parts. The clamp's unobstructed access on three sides gives Hekuma's precision robotic system sufficient elbow room to fully display its capabilities for insertion and extraction.
Ferromatik Milacron Europe and Hekuma stress the high availability of the complete system and its ability to economically produce parts in an integrated process with an extremely short cycle time.
To learn more about this and other plastics processing solutions from Milacron, visit the web site: plastics.milacron.com
Inquiries in the U.S. should be directed to:
Mr. Robert B. Hare
General Manager
Ferromatik Milacron Europe, USA
4165 Halfacre Rd.
Batavia, OH 45103 USA
Tel: 513-536-2000
Fax: 513-536-2441
