Injection Molding Machines provide mold protection software.

Press Release Summary:




Mold Guard and Ejector Guard software, for Powerline injection molding machines, compare measured clamp and ejector forces to established force reference curves padded with alarm band. Programs stop component forward movement if measured force exceeds alarm band limits, preventing mold damage and premature mold wear. Both programs are ON/OFF selectable, and automatically compensate for force increases due to changes over time from friction or temperature.



Original Press Release:



Milacron Takes Mold and Ejector Protection to a Higher Level for All-Electric IMMs with New Safety Software for Powerline Models



February 2003 - Milacron has enhanced the mold protection capabilities of its all-electric Powerline injection molding machines with new Mold Guard and Ejector Guard protection software. New features in the Powerline's patented XTREEM PC-based control, Mold Guard and Ejector Guard compare measured clamp and ejector forces to established force reference curves padded with an alarm band. According to Milacron, this allows a much higher level of sensitivity than the machine's standard mold protection system, while simultaneously accounting for normal force variations in the clamp/ejector stroke, without false triggers. The programs stop component forward movement if the measured force exceeds alarm band limits. This prevents mold damage, premature mold wear and maintenance cost/downtime to extend tooling life and maximize profit.

The software can be programmed to monitor the clamp's entire stroke or just a portion of the stroke. The ejector's entire stroke is always monitored. Both software programs are ON/OFF selectable, and automatically compensate for force increases due to changes over time from friction or temperature. Actual force and maximum force deviation are displayed on-screen to allow for troubleshooting of mold problems.

Mold Guard tracks the force required to close the clamp, using the previous cycle as the force reference curve. The clamp retracts if the force exceeds the alarm band limit. Though Mold Guard is not active when establishing the initial reference curve, tooling is still protected with the Powerline's standard Mold Protect feature, which monitors pressure and time. Standard Mold Protect also serves as a high limit when Mold Guard is active.

Ejector Guard operates in the same manner. When excessive force is detected, Ejector Guard immediately stops forward movement of the ejector bar. After any setpoint change (except alarm band), Ejector Guard is inactive for one cycle to determine a new reference curve.

Mold Guard and Ejector Guard are the two newest features on Milacron's powerful XTREEM control, which offers Windows® NT user-friendliness, Internet/Intranet connectivity, touchscreen operation, advanced audio/video capabilities, and a host of other features that PC users take for granted.

For more information, phone Milacron, Inc. at 1-888-MILACRON (645-2276) or fax 1-800-282-8082. Visit Milacron's home page at www.milacron.com for a detailed look at solutions that build productivity through advanced technology.

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