Smart Molding International 4-2021

newsfeed smart_molding international 4/2021 WITTMANN BATTENFELD has developed an easy-to-un - derstand and robust perfor - mance indicator that shows the health of hydraulic driven units and pumps at a glance. Among other benefits, it en - ables required maintenance work to be scheduled more effectively. The servo-pumps in injec - tion molding machines are what drive the movement of the main hydraulic units. These include the clamp - ing unit, ejector, injection unit, and the injection and metering systems. Reliably manufacturing components to a high quality depends on the pumps operating properly. "Health Factor" developed by WITTMANN BATTENFELD indicates the health status of the main hydraulic units, from which the condition of the pumps can be deduced. The unit related perfor - mance indicators computed from the "Health Factor" not only take into account a multitude of internal pro - cess parameters of the re - spective drivetrain in real time, but draw on histori - cal trend values too. If the performance indicator falls for just one unit, it means that only this unit is show - ing wear. If the performance indicators decrease for all units, it indicates a general pump or wear issue. The information not only allows repair and maintenance work to be planned more effectively, but to target the unit or pump in question. The operator can order the required parts in good time and schedule downtime for the repair work so as to min - imize disruption to the ongo - ing production operation. The company's current developments are focused on the health status of elec - trically driven units. WITTMANN BATTENFELD www.wittmann-group.com WITTMANN BATTENFELD machine Health Factor The Wilmington HE Series (horizontal elevated) have been completely rede - signed to incorporate all of the features and more that are currently available on the company’s’ low profile models. The new machines have an elevated press that provides for both robotic and beneath the press molded product removal. This same space below the press also pro- vides the clearance necessary for large molds with vertical core movements. Presses are available in 750, 1000, and 1500 tons clamping forces. The injection unit of the new ma - chines are also elevated which provides for a raised deck for ease of setup of nozzle/manifold components when the machines are being used for classic low pressure structural foam molding, gas assist or gas counter pressure molding. Both single and dual two-stage (ex - truder/accumulator) or reciprocating injection with capacities of 75 – 300 lb. shot capacity and 1500 – 6000 lb./hr. melting capacity are available. The Versafil controls of the new ma - chines in addition to controlling basic temperature, press motion and injec - tion velocity/pressure also provide for remote troubleshooting, SPC charting, trend analysis, graphing, integrated auxiliary control, all on a large “smart” flat colored panel display. The Versafil control injection feature is standard for classic multi-nozzle structural foam molding and adaptable to hot runner molding. The new HE Series models join the 9 otherlow-profilehorizontalmachinesand the vertical machines that Wilmington builds in clamping capacities of 350 – 2000 tons and shot capaci - ties of 25 – 300 lbs. Wilmington www.wilmingtonmachinery.com New Wilmington HE Series low pressure injection molding machines Picture: WITTMANN BATTENFELD 14 Picture: Wilmington