Smart Molding International 3-2022

8 newsfeed smart_molding international 3/2022 Purity and quality are the keywords for production of sensitive products in medical technology. However, efficien- cy and cost-efficiency are also increas- ingly critical. At K 2022 in Düsseldorf, KraussMaffei is demonstrating how both can work, using an all-electric PX 200-1400 in cleanroom design as an example. Caps for insulin pens are manufactured with maximumprecision under cleanroom conditions, in short cycle times andwithminimumuse of re- sources such as energy and materials. "Our medical technology customers are in a highly competitive market and face the challenge of increasing their productivity and minimizing costs per produced part," says Xiaojun Cui, Executive Vice-President New Ma- chines Business at KraussMaffei. The all-electric PX series in a Medical design is ideal because it combines precision and performance with maximum effi- ciency and cost-efficiency. The modular concept with integrated hydraulic unit enables solutions customized to meet customer requirements. Medical design in cleanrooms The PX 200-1400 with a clamping force of 2,000 kN at the KraussMaffei trade show booth features a high-gloss machine paint finish. This ensures max- imum purity and easy surface clean- ing. The automatic central lubrication of the knee lever joints using certified oils and lubricants is in a closed circuit. This, in turn, minimizes maintenance expenses while keeping the production environment impeccably clean. At the same time, it enables cleanroom- and GMP-compliant production. Short cycle times and lower article costs The all-electric PX with Performance equipment package ensures short cycle times. The process gets a speed boost from a plasticizing unit drive with in- creased drive power. This ensures faster plasticizing and thus high throughput. The high-performance screw with spe- cial design for throughput-intensive ap- plications also permits high melt qual- ity with short cycle times. Additionally, the boost in injection speed enables fast and accurate filling of the 96 cavities An electric ejector drive with greatly increased performance permits clean demolding at the highest speed. All cavities are always the same, shot after shot. At the KraussMaffei trade show booth, each shot yields 96 caps for poly- propylene in a cycle time of 6 seconds and a shot weight of 105 g. PX 200: Part of the circular economy circuit live at K The PX 200 is part of a complete circular economy circuit at the KraussMaffei trade show booth. After being shredded, the manufactured insulin pen caps serve as the basis for an upcycling process with a ZE 28 BluePower twin-screw extruder. Here, a variety of additives, such as bond- ing agent and liquid dye, are added, blended and homogenized. The re- compound this yields reaches the next injection molding machine, the new powerMolding 1300-11900 with a clamping force of 13,000 kN. This ma- chine turns it into an automotive front- end carrier made of 100 percent recy- cled material. The complete material cycle also integrates many new digital solutions with which maximum savings can be achieved for both energy con- sumption and the CO 2 footprint. KraussMaffei www.kraussmaffei.com Maximum efficiency in the cleanroom: All-electric PX 200-1400 produces caps for insulin pens live at K The all-electric PX 200-1400 in Medical design (all pictures: KraussMaffei) At K, the PX 200-1400 produces caps for insulin pens with maximum efficiency and cost-efficiency