Smart Molding International 1-2022

27 molding technologies www.smart-molding.com experience in metering technology to the table. Because all parties involved are based in Bavaria, it is even possible to obtain state-specific subsidies for re - search projects. As a result, SKZ can help its fellow network member, Toolcraft, with tar - geted analyses when implementing the new technology – while at the same time acquiring the expertise to provide customers with well-founded advice to spearhead innovative de - velopments. The launch took place at a two-day training session held by the Plastics Technology department at the University of Kassel. "Our col - leagues there are outstanding and being able to interact with them is extremely valuable to us," says Bas - tian. Schwalme adds, "Once we have mastered the process itself, we will be able to collaborate with others – just as we did with thermoplastics. This collaboration will include everything from basic research to practical as - pects on the shop floor." One all-electric PX for SKZ and one for Toolcraft The two all-electric KraussMaffei machines have now reached their destination: a PX 50-180 SilcoSet at SKZ and a PX 121-180 SilcoSet at Toolcraft. This is where being an own - er-managed medium-sized company is a great advantage. The company has the independence to make an invest - ment that might not yield an immedi - ate return. "Theoretically we are at 100 per - cent capability with silicone, but we are practically still at zero. We think it will take about two years for us to master the technology, but we are just going to go ahead and take this time to do just that." – Thomas Lender, Head of InjectionMolding at Toolcraft One of the reasons Toolcraft gave the nod to KraussMaffei as machine part - ner was the people involved. "From the beginning, you made us feel welcome and that we were being taken seriously. And the expert support from Cordula Wieland is priceless." Enclosed PX 121 for cleanroom applications Toolcraft's thorough approach to the project is evident in the fact that the PX 121 stands enclosed in a hall that will later be upgraded to a Class 7 cleanroom. The machine features a slight increase in clamping force and plasticizing volume as well as broader mold clamping platens for maximum flexibility. In LSR, the residence time in the plasticizing unit is not as critical as it is for thermoplastics. Therefore, a rel - atively large machine can produce very small products and the enlarged stroke of the clamping unit pays off because the molds have a deeper structure due to the cold runner and the insulating plates. The APC plus machine function will help to give the products a high weight consistency. It uses the melt Top team for venturing into the world of LSR (from left): Prof. Martin Bastian (Head of the SKZ Institute), Frank Burkhardt (Local Sales KraussMaffei), Georg Schwalme (Head of Injection Molding Area at SKZ), Markus Scheuerlein (Moldmaking Project Manager at Toolcraft), Thomas Lender (Head of Injection Molding at Toolcraft), Cordula Wieland (Expert Sales TEC at KraussMaffei) and Christian Rössler (Head of Sales - South at KraussMaffei) The three key figures (from left): Prof. Martin Bastian (Head of the SKZ Institute), Cordula Wieland (Expert Sales TEC KraussMaffei), Thomas Lender (Head of Injection Molding at Toolcraft)