Smart Molding International 2-2024

31 www.smart-molding.com molding technologies for high pressure injection, with thermal profiled nozzles and incorporating a balanced thermal management approach. The IML automation system had also been supplied by StackTeck for this show system, including high speed side entry robotics, in addition to downstream 100% vision system inspection by IMDVISTA, and downstream stacking. The IML automation for this show system was limited to part stacking only, due to limited floor space at the tradeshow. Wil Meevis, StackTeck’s VP Sales commented, “Almost everything we quote now has to include automated loading of stacked parts into a box or tote. We see an increasing demand for customized part inspection using vision systems, as well as special steps in handling of parts before they are ultimately stacked and loaded into the final shipping unit. For many of our projects, we are setting up the automation with the customer’s machine and mold at StackTeck to do the final FAT with hot parts before shipping.” StackTeck was pleased to have NETSTAL MACHINERY as a partner for this show system, as both companies have experience working together in both thinwall packaging, as well as PET applications. The IML labels for this part had been supplied by MCC VERSTRAETE, using a PET substrate to achieve 100% PET content in this show part. PET resin had been supplied by EASTMAN, including Eastar EN001 resin that has an Intrinsic Viscosity (IV) level of 0.80 dL/g as well as EN058 that has an easier filling IV level of 0.58 dL/g. At the StackTeck booth, part samples were on display that had been molded using a blend with 30% rPET supplied by VERDECO using material with an IV level of 0.72 dL/g. StackTeck Showcased its Unique Stack Mold and TRIM Technologies At the NPE2024, StackTeck was also displaying a thinwall 2X8 stack mold with TRIM™ design running in the BMB booth. Thinwall parts were being molded with StackTeck’s proprietary TRIM™ ultra-thin panels covering a large proportion of the bottom panel of this round 16 oz. container. Pushed to the limit, TRIM™ technology was demonstrated to lightweight conventional thinwall designs by 10-40% of part weight by applying the TRIM panels all over the part, however container strength can be adversely affected. An alternative approach is to apply bottom TRIM™ panels only, while the sidewall and bottom corner wall thicknesses are not affected, and hence 5% light weighting can be achieved without affecting top load and some other key performance criteria. This mold combines the advantages of using the stack mold technology for increased productivity, while offering a sustainable solution bringing weight savings with the use of the TRIM™ technology. According to Jordan Robertson, StackTeck’s VP Business Development and Marketing “The TRIM technology is a unique approach to lightweighting that has been gaining acceptance over time. We have now built large stack molds with this technology for thinwall containers, as well as expanding the range of applications to include rectangular, tamper evident, and ice cream applications. As compared to other lightweighting approaches, it has proven to be simple and reliable, while also working well with other technologies such as multi-gating.” This high-volume system was running in BMB’s booth with a high speed side entry robot supplied by MULLER Technology. Jordan Robertson stated: “We are very pleased to have the opportunity to be back at the NPE Show and continue a dialogue with our customers about our latest developments. We are constantly pushing the envelope to add more to our portfolio of mold technologies, which are driven by our desire to offer more sustainable options and real advantages for our customers.” About StackTeck Systems Limited StackTeck, with over five decades of mold building innovation, is a leading source of high productivity system solutions for the injection molding industry. StackTeck supplies a wide range of injection molds and IML automation used to produce plastic parts in applications such as caps, closures, medical, PET preforms, and thinwall packaging; as well as complete system integrations including IML. StackTeck has dedicated R&D, testing, and part sampling facilities, in addition to plastic part design, prototyping, engineering, and manufacturing capabilities. StackTeck Systems Ltd. is located 8 km north of Toronto’s Pearson International Airport. StackTeck www.stackteck.com 16 ounce round container with bottom TRIM panels (all pictures source: StackTeck)