The Flat-Line series of individually controllable, miniature nozzles from Heitec Heisskanaltechnik GmbH, Burgwald, Germany, has been expanded with a special T-Nozzle version that takes space-saving even further.
Heitec, represented in North America by Technoject Machinery Corp., Bolton, Ontario, developed the patented Flat-Line series of nozzles for direct gating of injection molded parts, according to Technoject owner and President Paul Boettger.
The Flat-Line series, offered in hot-tip and valve-gated versions, is designed for the production of a range of parts, including electronic products for reel-to-reel applications and medical parts such as syringe barrels. Flat-Line is also used for strip overmolding and similar applications. The design of the nozzle allows it to be placed close to a cavity detail or feature, said Boettger.
The smaller size of the T-Nozzle saves space in the mold, and that space can be used to accommodate functional components, such as ejectors or slides, close to the injection point. The nozzle is solidly supported on three points.
The individually controlled actuation of the valve gate can be accomplished with either an electric servo-motor-driven rack system or pneumatic/hydraulic type actuation that provides synchronous movement, said Boettger.
The Flat-Line series is designed with a very low mass nozzle that minimizes heat transfer into the mold during operation. The series features a removable tip, heater and thermocouple.
The T-Nozzle version of the Flat-Line nozzle is available with a gate diameter as small as 0.5mm. It is designed to handle a maximum shot weight of 6 grams in the small version and 10 grams in the larger version, said Boettger. Flat-Line is available in straight-drop and offset-nozzle versions.
Technoject also announced that Heitec is extending its product line by broadening the capabilities and features of the servomotors it uses to actuate the hot-runner nozzles. Larger servomotors will be used for molds requiring extra-large gate diameters and higher cavitation, said Boettger.
The servomotors are based on an integrated brushless design with a linear rod-style actuator in a single compact unit that provides accurate linear motion. A sealed housing is designed for extended life and minimum maintenance. The smallest motor carries a 920-watt power rating, while the larger units have a power rating of 2 kilowatts.
The driving rack and the attached servomotor of an actuation device can also be angled to create more space or to accommodate an angled gate location.
In addition to basic functions driven by a servomotor, such as speed and the timing of valve opening and closing, other functions were added, such as variable-speed, dual-stroke positions, visual representations of needle location, wireless software updates and intuitive error handling. Further control was added to allow for more processing flexibility and safety.
Mikell Knights, senior correspondent
Contact:
Technoject Machinery Corp., 905-951-7144, www.technoject.com
