Smart Molding International 1-2021

43 www.smart-molding.com sensors bling parts with suspect (defective) plas - tic components. For example, we have a commercial inkjet cartridge that we have completely automated the assembly. The cell incorporates two molding machines, six robots, and two 4-cavity molds. We have placed a Kistler sensor in each one of those cavities so if there is a suspect or questionable shot, it seg - regates it so that those parts don't enter the assembly process. This has proven very beneficial and valuable to our au - tomated assembly application needs.” Process monitoring systems of Kistler save valuable time, reduce costs, and increase ROI Kistler's process monitoring systems have been saving time, reducing costs, and increasing the Return on Invest - ment (ROI). Burhop says, “From my perspective: reducing re-validations was key. For instance, if we need to validate a tool in another press, either for capacity reasons or for risk mitiga - tion for a customer, Kistler's technolo - gy has made the process of duplicating a process much more straightforward and scientific in terms of the acquisi - tion of data and the actual pressure curve data from the cavity.” Bob Hendricks, Product Sales Man - ager with Kistler, who worked closely with Burhop, further explains this time- saving benefit of incorporating Kistler's process monitoring systems and sen - sors: “When you have a reference curve that represents the part quality, and you need to move it from one machine to another, the benefit is you no longer have to revalidate thewhole process ev - ery time because that reference curve remains valid on any machine.” Shorter set-up times ensure optimized production According to Burhop, the set-up was quick and easy to learn and use. Kis - tler's contact elements for injection molds have also proven to be highly beneficial. Burhop says, “The use of Kistler's contact elements has greatly simplified our mold disassembly and maintenance process. At Polyfab Corp., we focus on lean production, set-up re - duction and quick-change. By utilizing Kistler's multi-channel connectors, it's just one quick connection.” This allows Burhop and his team to save a lot of time and reduce costs by greatly de - creasing the molding defect rate. “Kistler's piezoelectric sensor tech - nology, in my opinion, is much more straightforward and easier to use than a lot of the other sensors currently on the market. The installation of Kistler's monitoring systems with our molding machines couldn't be any easier. We can pick up just one signal and that's really all we need because it is so streamlined, and we are able to start collecting data quickly,” Burhop adds. Customer satisfaction is key at Kistler Hendricks is also enthusiastic about the long, successful cooperation and emphasizes: “At Kistler, we are fo - cused on fulfilling our customer's needs with the goal of ensuring that they are completely satisfied. Our aim is to help our customers achieve zero- defect in series production, offering specialized, expert advice and onsite technical support including calibration services no matter where you are in the world.” “We are very satisfied with Kistler's services and support,” Burhop elates. “If an issue does arise, which is not often, Kistler's support team responds very quickly and their services are fantastic. With regard to the implementation and installation of Kistler's piezoelectric sen - sors, our tool shops have had no issues installing the sensors in the molds. The implementation is very streamlined and almost transparent.” Kistler Group www.kistler.com Polyfab’s cutting-edge production facility operates the ComoNeo and CoMo Injection process monitoring systems as well as cavity pressure sensors from Kistler The technicians receive detailed real-time information about the cavity pressure profile thanks to ComoNeo (All photos: Kistler) Process monitoring systems from Kistler were deployed to automate production of a dispenser lid with a living hinge