Smart Molding International 1-2021

machinery 24 smart_molding international 1/2021 E ight years have gone by since the first SACMI IPS (injection preform system) for the manufacture of PET preforms made its debut. Thanks to its unique qualities of integration, performance, usability and low con - sumption, this 220 t, 48-cavity mould SACMI press has enjoyed worldwide success: for several reasons. First of all, SACMI is a truly global supplier both geographically (its Global Net - work consists of over 80 companies) and, above all, technologically, provid - ing solutions designed to meet every manufacturing need within the pack - aging-beverage industry. Supply chain quality, service quality Already a leader in the closures field, the SACMI Group has, in recent years, invested heavily in the development and expansion of its PET Solutions range. SACMI's strategy of supplying com - bined cap-preform solutions and act - ing as “sole technology provider" has proved to be highly successful, espe - cially where producers – for geographi - cal, technological or market reasons – need to cover as much of the supply chain as possible with a reliable sole partner who can ensure outstanding quality and service. Wherever in the world SACMI has marketed and started up IPS solu - tions, suitable levels of local service have been established so that highly specialised teams can act promptly to ensure maximum plant efficiency at all times. More efficient than ever One of the key advantages of the suc - cessful IPS 220 is its innovative mould- machine interface, designed to halve size changeover times with respect to alternative solutions. In other words: full machine-robot-mould-auxiliary unit integration, governed by SACMI- developed software that merges and simplifies machine control via a single user-friendly platform. Since the introduction of the first IPS model - which made SACMI one of just a handful of complete preform plant suppliers - the company has in - vested in extending the range, devel - oping two further 300 and 400 ton platforms (with up to 128 cavities per mould) that can house moulds by both SACMI and other approved suppliers such as MHT. Adaptive and versatile Expansion of the range has, in part, shifted the focus from integration to adaptivity. On the IPS 300 and 400mod - els, in fact, the machine-mould inter - face has been designed to host existing moulds with ease. This means custom - ers can enjoy unmatched versatility of use, starting with modular control and an investment that can be scaled up. Where properly maintained, preform moulds can, in fact, have an extremely long working life, often longer than that of the presses on which they're installed. That's why SACMI has, on its higher-tonnage models, focused on mould interchangeability while main - taining some of the fast changeover solutions that were tried and tested on the IPS220. Sustainability 'as standard' SACMI has always combined cutting- edge technology with extensive know- how on materials. Building on its lead - ership in the development of machines for the closures sector, SACMI has ex - panded its technological lab to provide advanced cap-preform design and test services in both the plastics and metal closures fields. Performance and flexibility continue to drive the growth that has taken SACMI machines to the top of the market. Latest innovative steps include the ability to process recycled PET with standard machines and integration with AI vision systems. SACMI IPS for sustainable PET packaging