Smart Molding International 2-2025

14 smart_molding international 2/2025 newsfeed 35 years of ENGEL tie-bar-less technology When ENGEL first unveiled a tie-bar- less injection moulding machine at the K trade fair in Düsseldorf in 1989, the reaction was mixed: technical fascination on one hand, open scepticism on the other. At that time, few would have predicted that this “revolutionary” design would evolve into one of the most successful technologies in injection moulding machinery. Today, 35 years later, ENGEL looks back on more than 85,000 tie-bar-less machines delivered worldwide – and continues to drive this innovation forward with a consistent focus on customer needs. At this year’s K 2025, ENGEL is presenting a world première: a new electric tie-bar-less IMM. The impetus for developing a tie- bar-less machine came from practical experience: A customer told ENGEL how much the four tie-bars interfered with mould set-up and how much easier mould changes would be without them in the way. The development department at ENGEL picked up on this idea and examined whether it would be possible to design the clamping unit of an injection moulding machine entirely without tie-bars. A simple idea – yet a major leap in design. Up until that point, it was regarded as an unshakeable principle in mechanical engineering that an injection moulding machine had to have four tie-bars, regardless of size or application. The tie-bar-less clamping unit marked a radical new beginning in engineering. The breakthrough was achieved with a novel joint principle that compensates for the asymmetry of force application in the C-frame. Instead of guiding the platen over tie-bars as previously done, the mould is clamped via a solid frame – with a freely movable bending-bar joint between the moving platen and the clamping piston. This Flex-Link element, now patented and further developed under the name Force Divider, ensures that the mould halves remain absolutely parallel. It also provides for an even distribution of clamping force across all cavities of the platen and thus over the entire mould surface. This marked the birth of a new generation of machines that not only impressed technically but also opened up new freedoms in mould design. The first complete series went into production in 1990 – the name victory became the official product name in 2000. What began with a lever pin in the prototype has been systematically developed over several generations. ENGEL has continuously refined the joint system of its tie-bar-less machines, evolving from manually lubricated slide bearings to today’s Flex-Link with decentralised force application. At the same time, the machine series has been progressively expanded and enhanced with new drive technologies. ENGEL’s continued unique position in the field of tie-bar-less technology is not only due to its early lead in technology. The company has also secured its position through continuous development and comprehensive patent protection. It became clear early on that the benefits go far beyond simplified mould changes. Especially for high- cavity moulds with a small projected area, the tie-bar-less design allows for the use of smaller machines with significantly lower energy consumption and reduced investment costs. A milestone in the development was the introduction of the ecodrive servo-hydraulic drive technology, which reduces the energy consumption of hydraulic machines to the level of all- electric ones. In combination with the tie-bar-less clamping unit, this results in an ideal solution for demanding applications with high requirements for energy efficiency. Today, ENGEL equips all hydraulic and hybrid injection moulding machines with ecodrive as standard. The fact that the tie-bar-less machine technology remains as relevant today as it was 35 years ago is evident above all in its adaptability. Whether for cleanroom applications, multi- component technology, or highly automated production cells – ENGEL’s tie-bar-less injection moulding machines can be configured in a modular and needs-based way. ENGEL www.engelglobal.com Picture: ENGEL