Wintec will be using two machine exhibits to demonstrate how high profitability can be combined with quality and energy efficiency for a wide range of standard machine application requirements at Chinaplas 2017, which takes place from May 16th to 19th in Guangzhou, China. Through its t-win and e win series, the subsidiary of the Austrian injection moulding machine manufacturer Engel covers a broad spectrum of standard high-volume applications.
By focusing on productivity, quality and energy efficiency, Wintec, which is based in Changzhou, China, builds injection moulding machines tailored to meet the demands of standard applications. Wintec machines are particularly popular for applications that do not require specialist technology but nonetheless place high demands on quality and process stability.
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All-electric e-win for high precision and process stability
In addition to its large-scale hydraulic t-win machines, Wintec has been offering a new series, e-win, which consists of all-electric injection moulding machines, for a year now. "The e-win machines have been very well received on the markets in China," says Mark Feng, Sales and Service President at Wintec. "The e-win injection moulding machines guarantee our customers a very fast return on investment. We are therefore enabling processing businesses to get involved in all-electric injection moulding technology at no risk and keep pace with the trend towards ever higher production quality."
All movements performed by the e-win machines are servo-electric. The high precision of the movements ensures stable processes and the highest possible number of good parts. The machines also reduce cycle times through the synchronous movements of the drive axles and the outstanding acceleration of the injection axis, which can be up to 22 m/s². The new machines are not only economical when it comes to energy consumption, but also floor space. Their compact dimensions enhance surface area productivity, a key efficiency indicator for many businesses.
At Chinaplas, an e-win 1000-170 with a clamping force of 1,000 kN will be used to produce windscreen wiper adaptors for cars. The delicate components made of glass-fibre-reinforced polyamide – the shot weight for each component will be 20.56 grams – require extremely precise machine movements and high process stability – and the e-win guarantees both of these.
An automated process will be used to produce the adaptors. An Engel e-pic robot will remove the components from the mould and deposit them on a conveyor belt. The pick-and-place robot combines linear movements with a jib arm, and therefore requires very little space. The jib arm comprises a composite material which additionally raises energy efficiency and dynamism.
The C2 control unit used in Wintec machines offers ample flexibility in terms of connecting robots of various types and brands. The C2 is characterised by intuitive operation, which reduces the risk of operator error. The entire machine status is displayed clearly on a single screen. A quick adjustment page summarises the most important setting parameters in a compact way. To ensure an ergonomic workflow, the 15" touchscreen can be swivelled out forward and is height adjustable. In terms of processing power, the C2 control unit outperforms control units made by other machine producers in this market segment by 33 per cent.
t-win: high energy efficiency and sensitive mould protection
The hydraulic injection moulding machines in the t-win series are available with clamping forces from 4,500 to 17,500 kN, meaning they are ideal for manufacturing large or three-dimensionally complex components. At Engel's Chinaplas stand, a t-win 10500-7000 will be demonstrating the efficiency of the series by producing car door interior panels made from polypropylene. An Engel viper 20 linear robot will remove the components from the mould and place them on the conveyor belt.
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The t-win machines are fitted with servowin servo hydraulics as standard. This cuts energy consumption by more than 60 percent in comparison with conventional hydraulic injection moulding machines. Other factors that contribute to the high energy efficiency include operating point optimisation and the dual-platen design of the clamping unit with low moving masses and exposed tie-bars. The linear guidance of the moving mould mounting platen reduces friction and keeps the mould area free of lubricating oil.
The dual-platen clamping unit was developed in Europe and guarantees maximum platen parallelism throughout the machine’s service life, which results in sensitive mould protection, excellent dynamics and short dry cycle times. Parallel auxiliary movements, such as those of the ejectors, the core pulls or the nozzles are also optionally supported.
Fast on-site service for high machine availability
The Wintec plant in Changzhou, which opened in 2014, is included in the Engel Group's global quality management system. As a result, the same high quality standards used at the Austrian plants apply there, so that high-quality, reliable and durable injection moulding machines can be built. Besides quality, machine availability is dictated primarily by the service at customers' disposal, and for that reason, Wintec has expanded its sales and service network continually since it was founded. "In China especially, service demands are continuing to increase," says Mark Feng. “Many suppliers in Asia are failing to keep pace with this trend.”
