Smart Molding International 1-2024

21 www.smart-molding.com molding outlook The complexity of processing recycled material is usually related to foreign particles, leading to obstructions in the hot runner channels. The use of software to conduct a rheological analysis helped to define optimal injection pressure and speed based on the special material features. The technological solution was a hydraulic 8-drop hot runner system equipped with conical valve gate (Wa nozzle series) from Oerlikon HRSflow. Special attention was given to the gate configuration, due to a 14 mm diameter and a hot runner bore diameter of 32 mm. Any issues related to channel clogs would be avoided. In addition, the gentle injection pressure combined with low speed allowed for better control of the melt flow. This prevents any streaking or flow marks that could jeopardize the cosmetic and functional result. Continuing, the lower injection pressure allowed for the use of LPIM (low pressure injection molding) technology, maximizing production efficiency. With this design approach, system maintenance can be significantly reduced, avoiding long and costly downtime. Oerlikon HRSflow: José Moreno, General Manager of Spain stated, “developing and producing high-performance hot runner systems for plastic injection molding is a complex process. It requires high expertise and continuous desire to face new challenges. The project carried out together with Ribawood is a clear example of great collaboration. Both parties put into play their own knowledge to get the best result: a 100% reusable and recyclable pallet which combines a strong attention to sustainability with a high structural result”. Several tests revealed that the balanced hot runner solution from Oerlikon HRSflow would guarantee the high structural result of the entire part. There would also be no internal stress, despite working with 100% recycled material. Beck Automation presented a high-precision IML solution for medical applications The new Beck Medical IML presented at the trade fair in Friedrichshafen was a high-precision manufacturing system specially designed for the production of medical components. The application is part of a joint project with partners ARBURG, Intravis, KEBO and MCC Verstraete. The partners set themselves the goal of developing a system that enables high-precision IML in large quantities using the latest technologies. A low-torsion, powder-coated steel profile frame forms the basis of the Beck Medical IML. The machine design is based on a modular structure, where each individual production step is assigned to a module. In this principle, production units for screwing, welding, printing or packaging can be added. All motion sequences are executed energy-efficiently by servo and stepper motors of the latest generation. The IML area includes the label magazines, the label transport, the placement of the labels on the insertion cores and, for products that require the highest accuracy, the label adjustment. Label adjustment, which compensates for the print-to-cut tolerance resulting from production, is performed by Beck's high-precision label adjustment head. The label adjustment head measures each individual label using laser sensors and compensates for inaccuracies. For this purpose, the label is moved in two axes and one angle. In the medical field, where labels can be very small, the label adjustment heads are arranged in a centering plate and not on the moving main arm. This avoids disturbing vibrations. The readjusted label is placed on the insertion core by means of a transfer gripper and electrostatically charged. The label, which is thus optimally positioned, is vacuum-assisted into the cavity of the injection mold. The adjustable head technology ensures that the cut edges do not determine the position of the decoration or functional elements. The processing area contains the central transport unit, around which various production modules can be arranged in modular ways. Label insertion and finished part removal can be performed in parallel or sequentially. The robot's intervention times of 1.0 - 1.4s (signal to signal) thus have no or only minimal influence on the cycle time. A fully integrated vision system ensures 100% quality control. All bad parts are automatically rejected. The good parts are then fed to further processing or the packaging unit. The new Beck Medical IML was on display at Fakuma 2023 (picture: Beck Automation)