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The grand opening of the new KraussMaffei injection molding system in the MERGE Technology Center (from left): Georg P. Holzinger, Dr. Eric J. Amis, Prof. Lothar Kroll, Eberhard Alles, Dr. Micaela Schönherr, Samuel D. DeShazior and Stephen Kidder. |
The Free State of Saxony is investing in the lightweight construction technology of the future as part of the Federal Government's Cluster of Excellence MERGE "Technology Fusion for Multifunctional Lightweight Structures" with the Chemnitz University of Technology. At the heart of the new MERGE Lightweight Technology Center is an MXW 2500 injection molding machine from KraussMaffei that, thanks to a wide variety of technical options, offers maximum flexibility for researching and prototype manufacturing close-to-production in their original size. The ceremonial launch of the new plant took place in October 2015 as part of the 2nd International MERGE Technologies Conference.
One-of-a-kind in the German research landscape
"The KraussMaffei MXW 2500 injection molding machine is a true all-round talent in the area of lightweight construction with its numerous options in material, mold or process selection and it is certainly unique in the German research landscape in this design and size," explains Georg Holzinger, Vice-President of Technologies at KraussMaffei. Above all, this machine is to be used for conducting research for the automotive industry. The aim is to produce parts of a vehicle with a lightweight design, in an energy-saving way and in serial production. These prototype components can be produced in their original sizes. This is particularly important for industry clients who can test the properties of the parts at a 1:1 scale.
The MXW 2500 is a very compact, high-performance production system that is characterized by short machining times, fast cycles and a high output. The series has a modular design and offers a wide range of configuration options. "We were deliberate in choosing a large machine with a clamping force range of 25,000 kN to be able to represent large components with measurements of up to 1.5 m x 1.5 m at a close-to-production 1:1 scale," says Prof. Dr.-Ing. Lothar Kroll, Director of the Institute of Lightweight Structures (IST) at the Chemnitz University of Technology and Coordinator of the MERGE Cluster of Excellence.
Custom-made multi-component injection molding
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Components for cars of the future are currently developed on a MXW 2500 injection molding from KraussMaffei at the new MERGE Lightweight Technology Center at the Chemnitz University of Technology. |
The "W" in the MXW 2500 machine designation stands for "Wendeplattentechnik" (swivel plate technology). A significant increase in cost-effectiveness in multi-component injection molding can be achieved using the SpinForm design from KraussMaffei. This allows you to double your output of multi-component parts compared to turntable molds at the same clamping force. Even new components with particularly large dimensions can be functionalized this way. With the TwinForm variant, KraussMaffei created an additional solution with a special multi-daylight mold that also ensures noticeably higher production. An additional bolt-on unit in an L-design enables the flexible, additional metering and processing of thermoplastics as well as thermoset matrix materials.
An additional mixing and metering system also enables the processing of polyurethanes with fillers and other reactive matrix materials. The 40-15/29 hybrid is equipped with a color-metering unit directly on the mixing head and an additional gas charging unit. This offers maximum flexibility during prototype manufacturing.
Even more lightweight foaming with MuCell
The new MERGE research system is also designed for what is called the MuCell process. The MuCell process is a physical foaming process with nitrogen or carbon dioxide. The primary advantages of the foamed components are their light weight, decreased warpage, higher dimensional stability and short manufacturing times. "The MuCell process has become an established technology, particularly in vehicle manufacturing and for technical components. The trend is moving towards also using this procedure for premium quality surfaces in visible components," explains Holzinger outlining opportunities for possible future research focuses.
Prototype manufacturing close-to-production in the field of thermoplastic lightweight construction with fiber-reinforced plastic is possible thanks to the FiberForm process developed by KraussMaffei. New fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composite components can be manufactured with particularly high strengths using material-based and design-based lightweight construction. In this process, impregnated fabric or roving made out of continuous fiber, what are called fiber components, are heated, shaped in the injection mold and subsequently back-injected with a thermoplastic matrix. Like injection molding, the FiberForm process is easy to automate and can be used in fully automated production with compact manufacturing cells.
Sophisticated automation solutions
The streamlined automation solution conceptualized by KraussMaffei for this system offers a high degree of flexibility and support for this process. Four LRX robots have been replaced by two LRX500-TwinZ robots. This type of robot (TwinZ) couples two x/y kinematic units each to the z-axis mechanically. Both robots can be programmed and operated using the multiple kinematics control concept. Integration of up to 24 axes is possible.
Despite the size and complexity, this automation solution has been implemented in a way that optimizes the available space and enables a high degree of operating convenience. This enables the robots to discharge the parts on the operator rearside and the injection molding machine remains completely accessible on the operator side. The sophisticated solution also required the additional injection molding machine bolt-on unit (in the L-design) on the operator rearside. The workstations for feeding insertion parts and the deposit of the finished parts take place on a platform above the bolt-on unit. This spatial separation enables both systems to be operated optimally.
All processes – whether SpinForm, TwinForm, MuCell, FiberForm or automation - as well as the MXW 2500 can be operated centrally via the MC6 control system. "This also eases the operation of complex processes tremendously," says Prof. Lothar Kroll.
