Leading light in the injection moulding segment Sumitomo (SHI) Demag aims to clear the way to Industry 4.0 by bringing its forward-looking expertise to K 2016 in October.
Sumitomo (SHI) Demag will illustrate how it is already helping manufacturers to embrace and plan for this sea change by putting Industry 4.0 into a practical context.
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Like the entire Sumitomo (SHI) Demag range, the interface of the Systec Servo 280 has been upgraded to OPC/UA making the machine Industry 4:0 and Euromap 77 compatible. |
Under the banner Electrified 4.0, five machines will be actively running on the stand, demonstrating the speed and precision already being deployed to produce quality packaging, caps and closures, pharmaceutical, automotive and in-mould decorated (IMD) plastic components.
In addition, K 2016 will host the world premier of a new IntElect platform, plus three injection moulding partnership installations developed in collaboration with Sepro, Yushin and ONI.
“There seems to be a general lack of clarity among the plastic moulding community about what Industry 4.0 means and where it is heading,” stated UK Managing Director Nigel Flowers. “It’s a bit of an unknown science with no clear end game, and this is holding manufacturers back in terms of defining their Industry 4:0 strategy, we aim to help clarify this.”
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Nigel Flowers, Managing Director of Sumitomo (SHI Demag UK helps put Industry 4.0 into context for injection moulders. |
Three key elements underpin the company’s ‘Smart Factory’ vision; Smart Machines equipped with an intelligent and future proof user interface, fully synchronized to external ERP systems, robots and the supply chain; Smart Service, integrating quality assurance and featuring remote diagnostics and maintenance to increase machine availability; and Smart Production, with fully connected systems and a host manufacturing execution system (MES) tracking real time production information.
“Industry 4.0 is about increasing productivity and profitability, reducing costs and waste, personalisation and traceability, factory connectivity and optimising energy usage,” explained Flowers. “So, in many respects, moulders that have invested in Sumitomo (SHI)
Demag machines in the past five years, particularly all-electric machines, are probably more Industry 4.0 advanced than they might perceive.”
Rather than a paradigm shift, the Sumitomo (SHI) Demag exhibits at K 2016 will illustrate how upgradable technologies, including automation, and robust process optimisation programmes are already adding value to businesses and putting customers ahead of the Industry 4.0 game.
Two El-Exis SP machines with a clamping force of 2,000 and 4,200 kN will appear on the stand, along with a Systec Servo (2,800 kN) and two all-electric IntElect machines (500kN and 4,500 kN). The machines are all equipped with an OPC Unified Architecture (OPC/UA) interface, offering broader scope for connectivity and enabling moulders to use data to optimise production, make operation decisions quickly, and generate reports. The OPC/UA interface is also Euromap 77 compliant.
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The most rapid IML exhibit at K-2016 the El-Exis SP 200 will produce four decorated cups in less than two seconds. |
Both El-Exis SP machines on show will demonstrate packaging applications. The El-Exis SP 200 is being plugged as the most rapid IML exhibit at K-2016, producing four high quality decorated cups in less than two seconds.
Demonstrating the production of thin-walled packaging is the El-Exis SP 420, producing four polypropylene trays in a 2+2 stack mould, featuring a high-speed Sepro side-extraction robot.
Showcasing sophisticated IMD techniques is the Systec Servo 280, which will simultaneously create and decorate a vehicle door trim. Rather than using a full-surface cohesive and printed plastic film, Sumitomo (SHI) Demag will demonstrate its advanced moulding and decoration capabilities, working with a porous wooden structure. For electronic monitoring of the mould temperature, the machine includes the activeMouldWater module. The machine also features activeMotionControl technology.
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The IntElect 450 will demonstrate the precision and dynamics of all-electric machines, producing clear vehicle headlight covers |
Representing the smallest and largest clamping force of the all-electric IntElect range, the company will unveil a 500kN model aimed at the automotive sector. Meanwhile, the largest model – the IntElect 450 - will produce crystal-clear headlight covers in a highly efficient electric production cell, harnessing the precision, dynamics and energy efficiency already widely used by pharmaceutical and caps and closures; closures injection moulders that have switched to all-electric for the production of intricate components.
“Electrified 4.0 at K-2016 is probably the most comprehensive exhibit we have staged to-date, covering all of the key applications,” Flowers remarked. “Instead of adding to the hype, we’re providing practical examples on how Sumitomo (SHI) Demag is already assisting moulders to optimise future production processes in the context of Industry 4.0.”
