By Ron Shinn
Sumitomo (SHI) Demag debuted the all-electric PAC-E series aimed at packaging applications at K 2022. It will initially be available in mid-tonnage clamping forces of 250 tons, 300 tons, 350 tons and 420 tons.
The company described the new series as a cross between its successful El-Exis hybrid platform and IntElect all-electric series. It is suitable for thin-wall packaging and food packaging, including packaging with IML.
The PAC-E machine running at K 2022 was an all-electric 350-ton press with a 72-cavity mold and 2-second cycle time producing 2,100 HDPE beverage caps per minute.
PAC-E has a new injection unit developed specifically for beverage closures and thin-wall packaging.
The company said the overall machine design helps keep it clean and facilitates maintenance. Arnaud Nomblot, director of business development for packaging, said toggle levers, plates, tie bars and plasticizing elements, including the screws and cylinders, were developed in Germany. The group’s Japanese parent company designed the electric drives and injection unit.
A company official said the electric drives require about 50 percent less energy than hydraulic models and the toggle lever is part of a closed-circuit design that can prevent leaks during lubrication. Oil is extracted, filtered and recycled, eliminating the need to clean the toggle.
Energy savings can amount to more than $70,000 per year compared with other high-speed hybrid packaging molding machines, the company said.
Ron Shinn, editor
Contact:
Sumitomo (SHI) Demag, Suwanee, Ga., 678-892-7900, https://sumitomo-shi-demag.us
