Smart Molding International 3-2021

hot runner technology 36 smart_molding international 3/2021 H u s k y I n j e c t i on Mo l d i ng Systems, Ltd., a leading indus - trial technology provider to the plastics processing community this summer announced its collaboration with Chem-Trend on a system solution that creates repeatability during the critical color change process to offer a faster, more accurate, and optimized approach for operators. The team de - vised a new guided procedure made easily accessible to operators within the Husky Altanium® Mold Controller operator interface. The instructions outline a simple, yet highly effective approach to setting up and performing the color change process explicitly for molds with hot runner systems. The joint approach is based on the process for using Chem-Trend’s Ultra Purge™ brand of purge compounds, which is designed specifically to reduce color-change time and carbon forma - tion in hot runner systems. “Fast and effective color change pro - cesses are essential for our customers, and we are continuing to see an up - ward trend in color change applica - tions,” said Mike Ellis, global business manager for Husky® Hot Runners and Controllers division. “Our collaboration with Chem-Trend and the integration with our Altanium® Mold Controllers addresses this critical market require - ment and enables our customers to achieve more efficient and effective color change performance.” Together, Chem-Trend and Husky aim to significantly enhance their custom - ers’ operational margins by increasing equipment and labor uptime. Trial re - sults showed up to an 85% reduction in scrap and an 80% increase in mold cleaning efficiency when following the recommended process. “We know a lot is at stake for proces - sors if the right purge compound and process are not used in color change - overs amounting to significant time and cost,” said Graziano Pestarino, global account manager for thermo - plastics solutions at Chem-Trend. “By combining our years of expertise in the field and our latest advancements in purging technology with that of Husky, one of the leading producers of hot runner systems in the industry, plastics manufacturers stand to reap immense benefits of productivity and control previously unachievable.” A System Approach to Color Change: – Integrated Ultra Purge™ color change instructions set - tings. such as Shot Weight, Conversion Ratio, and Ultra Purge™ Quantity, used by the Altanium® Mold Controller throughout the color change process. – A Purge Booster feature automati - cally adjusts the hot runner tempera - tures to ensure the fastest color change time is achieved. – An automated soak timer is used to enhance the performance of Ultra Purge™ by altering the user of the op - timal time to add new production resin to the hot runner system. – A digital Cycle Count input from the injection molding machine can be con - figured to further automate the color change process by signaling when the correct amount of Ultra Purge™ com - pound has been used before moving to the next step. – All Ultra Purge™ color change process settings are saved to a mold setup file for easy recall on the Altanium® Mold Controller based on the mold and color change process to be performed. A highly integrated control platform for all hot runner and mold control needs Altanium® mold controllers offer the industry's most integrated platform for single point access to the highly ac - curate and straightforward operation of temperature, servo and valve gate control. They also feature best in class diagnostic and fault recovery solutions and are available in various configura - tions for implementation in any injec - tion molding equipment. Husky www.husky.co Husky & Chem-Trend create a simple and effective color change feature for Altanium® hot runner temperature controllers. Collaboration brings forth an all-new guided process designed to drive competitive advantages for processors. Creating repeatability for the critical color change process Picture: Husky