New toggle-clamp hybrid injection molding machines debuting at NPE2018 offer greater versatility, faster speeds and new controls. While some companies have expanded their lines, others have introduced new series.

MILACRON INTRODUCES QUANTUM LINE

Making its North American debut, the Quantum servo-hydraulic toggle injection molding machine replaces Milacron's MTS toggle-clamp series. It features an updated toggle clamp for more uniform and optimal clamping. The standard Quantum model offers longer injection and mold opening strokes and generates greater clamping forces than comparably sized MTS machines.

The series has eight models, with clamping forces ranging from 125 tons to 610 tons. Features include a five-point, 10-pin, double-toggle mechanism. Milacron has improved the toggle kinematics for better positional control, allowing the mold to open and close quickly and smoothly. The upgraded toggle also allows the machine to operate 30 percent more quickly while reducing the machine footprint.

Compared with the prior design, the platen provides more uniform force distribution across the mold face. The standard configuration of the moving platen uses dual tubular sections that improve strength and reduce platen deflection. The moving platen travels on precision linear guides. Taken together, these developments help reduce deflection by up to 20 percent.

The tie-bar spacing and platen accommodate larger molds. With 125 tons of clamping force, the Quantum 125 has a platen measuring 690mm by 645mm with tie-bar spacing of 480mm by 435mm and a maximum daylight of 900mm. The Quantum 610 has a platen measuring 1,330mm by 1,300mm with tie-bar spacing of 1,000mm by 900mm and a maximum daylight of 1,820mm.

Other features of the Quantum machines include a twin-cylinder injection unit with improved routing of the hydraulic hose that helps to extend the life of the hose and minimizes the footprint of the machine. Precision linear guides support the injection unit's movement.

Quantum machines incorporate Milacron's new Endura controller. It has a 15-inch touch screen and new programs, including real-time energy monitoring and a new core-pull configurator for custom molding sequences. The controller graphically displays statistical process control data and can store the production and setup data of up to 80 molds.

At NPE, Milacron used a Quantum 260 machine and an E-Multi EM3 add-on secondary injection unit to produce an 83-gram double-walled cup every 35 seconds. The manufacturing cell also featured a single-cavity mold from JP Grosfilley, a hot-runner from Mold-Masters, mold components from DME and a six-axis robot from Sepro.

ARBURG ADVANCES ALLROUNDER

Arburg is adding two models to its Allrounder H series of injection molding machines, a series it originally launched with a prototype machine it exhibited at the K show in 2016.

The new Allrounder 920 H has 550 tons of clamping force and has been available to customers worldwide since March. In October, Arburg will introduce the Allrounder 820 H with 440 tons of clamping force. That model will have new features, including an updated Gestica control system.

The Allrounder 1120 H shown at NPE2018 delivers up to 730 tons of clamping force. This contrasts with the K show prototype, which had 715 tons of clamping force, Arburg President and CEO Friedrich Kanz said. The tie-bar spacing of 1,120mm and maximum clamp opening stroke of 1,050mm remain unchanged.

The latest version features an electric toggle clamp driven by twin servo motors. A hydraulic circuit and accumulator system driven by a servo-motor, which Arburg calls its Hidrive system, are responsible for injecting material. The electric, hydraulic, pneumatic, lubrication and temperature-control systems are enclosed within the machine frame.

Arburg developed a new standard machine controller, the Selogica ND, for the Allrounder H line. The Gestica controller will be available for the Allrounder H models as an option. Machine performance is the same regardless of which control system is selected, Arburg said. The Gestica controller has a different HMI with the look and feel of a mobile device. Users can operate the control through gestures, such as a finger swipe.

YIZUMI-HPM LINE TARGETS NORTH AMERICAN MARKET

Yizumi-HPM has extended its new A5-N line of servo-hydraulic toggle presses. Built in China by Yizumi, it is designed exclusively for the North American market and boasts mechanical and electronic features that are not available in Asia.

The A5-N line, unveiled last year at an event highlighting the opening of a technical center in Iberia, Ohio, replaces Yizumi-HPM's HST2 series of hybrid toggle machines, said Bill Duff, GM of sales and marketing.

The company offers 13 models in the A5-N series, with clamping forces ranging from 65 tons to 1,125 tons. The line is suited to a wide range of general-purpose applications, Duff said.

Key features included an updated hydraulic system and implementation of the company's third-generation servo-drive technology. The Inovance servo-drive technology replaces an imported, high-pressure gear-pump servo system.

Inovance is quieter than the previous technology. The special high-torque servo motor and high-pressure gear pump allow the unit to be used in low-speed molding and applications requiring continuous holding pressure.

At the same time, the fast response of the high-efficiency gear pump makes it suited for high-speed, high-precision applications. Yizumi-HPM said the new servo system uses 30 percent to 80 percent less energy than a conventional hydraulic machine. The company optimized the internal structure of the motor, developed new drive software and selected the oil pump and steel with the goal of achieving quiet operation, superior performance, stability, reliability, durability and energy efficiency, Duff said.

To deliver more power, the company upgraded the machine's hydraulic system, which is 15 percent larger than that used by HST2 models, he said. The dual-servo-pump system has the power needed for operations such as part ejection or a core-pull movement. And, unlike the fixed-volume hydraulic system used by the HST2, the A5-N uses a servo-pump system that allows for variation in oil volume, making it more energy-efficient.

The machine's base is constructed with tubular steel beams, rather than I-beams, for greater rigidity, Duff said. The company also redesigned the mechanical structure of the clamping unit for improved operation compared with the HST2 line. The five-point toggle clamp has improved platen parallelism, positioning and uniform force distribution. The parallel, double-cylinder injection unit moves on an integrated linear guide rail support.

Yizumi-HPM replaced the Barber-Colman control used on the HST2 models with the i2000 machine controller from Keba, which will be used on all models of the company's injection molding machines.

ABSOLUTE HAITIAN UPDATING MARS LINE

Absolute Haitian previewed the next generation of its Mars servo-hydraulic series of toggle presses, which it is designing to respond more quickly, with shorter cycle times. According to Mike Ortolano, CTO and a co-owner of Absolute Haitian, the Mars III will become available in the Americas next year.

At the show, the company demonstrated the first iteration of the new series, a model with 192 tons of clamping force. It produced 180-gram drinking tumblers in a two-cavity mold in 70-second cycles. Generous tie-bar spacing coupled with a more robust clamp enabled it to handle the mold, which would have required 300 tons of clamping force on other machines.

Mars III machines will feature a 30 percent larger user interface with membrane keyboard for most navigational tasks, keeping buttons only for the cycle start and safety stop functions, Ortolano said.

The company is optimizing the platen for high rigidity, stability and faster clamp movement. A bushing-less platen and linear rail system that ensures platen parallelism will be part of the upgraded design. Injection and screw movements will take place more smoothly, thanks to the dual-cylinder injection unit. The injection unit also pivots to make it easier to access the screw and barrel for maintenance.

The company is enhancing the servo-hydraulic system to deliver 20 percent to 70 percent energy savings compared with a fully hydraulic model. The Mars III line will use a control system from Keba. Absolute Haitian also is developing software for machine connectivity that will operate on the Keba platform.

FCS HYBRID TOGGLE LINE MORE VERSATILE

Fu Chun Shin Machinery Manufacture Co. Ltd. (FCS), Tainan, Taiwan, introduced the next generation in its FA series of servo-hydraulic toggle presses, which provide faster cycle times and greater versatility. Maruka represents FCS in the U.S.

The new GenII FA servo-hydraulic series comes in 18 sizes with clamping forces ranging from 35 tons to 1,565 tons. However, updates to the series have begun with models of up to 550 tons, said Hank Wu, a deputy manager based in Taiwan.

Features include a new slant-toggle-clamping system designed via finite element analysis. The five-point toggle clamp reduces platen deflection compared with the previous version and supports more precise transmission of clamping forces across the entire platen.

FCS increased the capacity of the servo pump driving the hydraulic system by 25 percent, allowing the press to deliver higher injection pressures and quicker clamping. To accommodate larger molds, the spacing between the tie bars is about 10 percent bigger.

To make positioning more repeatable and precise, the press employs linear guides for the movement of both the injection unit and the clamping mechanism. Three to five different injection units will be available for each model in the FA series.

GenII machines feature a user-friendly touch-screen Keba i2880 controller that allows for remote access.

Wu said the machines reduce power usage by as much as 70 percent compared with a conventional hydraulic machine, yet are designed to respond twice as fast.

TWO-SHOT MODEL FROM FORTUNE

Victor Taichung Machinery Works Co. Ltd., Taichung, Taiwan, has introduced a series of servo-hydraulic toggle presses that each have dual injection units for the production of parts that are made with two resins or two colors.

The Rc series has been in development for five years and is available exclusively through Fortune International in North America.

The new Rc series comes in four models, with clamping forces of 198 tons, 242 tons, 385 tons and 495 tons. They can be specified with the second injection unit positioned at a perpendicular angle (V-type) to the main injection unit or on the non-operator side (L-type).

Features include a Bosch Rexroth servo motor and pump technologies combined with the hydraulic system to generate and control injection pressures, injection rates and nozzle contact force. Designed by the company, the second injection unit also is driven servo-hydraulically. The company said the high-precision injection unit has a Barbette-type design, while the clamping unit features a special mechanism for more efficient operation.

The Rc line has a standard rotary table. The company's V8800 controller monitors all parameters.

Mikell Knights, senior staff reporter

[email protected]

Contact:

Absolute Haitian, Parma, Ohio, 216-452-1000, www.absolutehaitian.com

Arburg Inc.,

Rocky Hill, Conn., 860-667-6500,www.arburg.com

Fortune International Inc.,

Somerset, N.J., 732-214-0700,www.fortune-imm.com

Maruka USA Inc., Lee's Summit, Mo., 816-524-1811, www.marukausa.com

Milacron LLC,

Batavia, Ohio, 513-536-2000,www.milacron.com

Yizumi-HPM Corp.,

Iberia, Ohio, 740-382-5600,www.yizumi-hpm.com