Smart Molding International 4-2021

15 newsfeed www.smart-molding.com Sumitomo (SHI) Demag Plastics Machinery GmbH, Schwaig, Germany, unveiled a state-of-the-art elastomer injection moulding system at Fakuma 2021. For its inaugu - ral presentation on the global stage, the LSR package fea - tured a fully automatedNexus metering system on an all- electric IntElect 130/520-450. All was integrated seamlessly with the company’s newown- branded SAM-C kinematic ro - botic systemandmeeting the new 2021 OPC-UA 40082-3 standard for LSR dosing sys - tems to optimise and control and processing stability on automotive applications. Demonstrating the produc - tion of a complex freeform automotive axial seal on Sumitomo (SHI) Demag’s LSR exhibit, the seal is designed to be moulded using a 'direct gate' without material clo - sure. Describing the process - ing challenges a high spec component like this presents, Henrik Langwald, Director Automotive & Electronics ex - plains: “The sealing lip must be completely pronounced to offer full functionality. We are setting a new benchmark to re - peatably mould the tightest tolerances in 16 cavities, burr-free, with no conversion,” he succinctly sums up. Produced using a Nexus two-plate tool, a retainer keeps the seal component stable on the ejector side. The newly launched SAM-C ‘handle & place’ cartesian robot developed in-house by Sumitomo (SHI) Demag then removes and stores the part. This involves working with a cold runner needle closure system and direct injection. The tool concept includes interchangeable inserts, en - suring the highest product flexibility. As a result of the high precision processing, stability is maintained to deliver the optimal sealing requirements so critical for automotive safety. Aligned in efficiency and processing stability An important component of the innovative production solution is the ServoMix Z200 metering system fromNexus. "The system is un - supported and the barrel can be swift - ly and safe - ly changed in less than five minutes from an angle of up to 104 de - grees," reports Lang - wald. This provides easy and faster access for cleaning and maintenance, as well as help - ing to eliminate human errors. Additionally, the new gen - eration meter - ing system also features numer - ous interfaces, including the TrueFlow Nano colour con - trol to ensure precise dosing of colour additives, as well as a calibration function. Mate - rial flows are measured in microlitres for major compo - nents, with additives mea - sured in nanolitres. OPC-UA-ready, the flow- meter design features a quick-change pump body with measuring cells located directly on the pump body. Another advantage of this design is faster cleaning of the injectionmoulding screw. Additionally, all new dos - ing devices now feature the newly-released OPC-UA inter - face, directly linking metering measurement data of with the IntElect 130/520-450 pro - cessing data, ensuring a fully traceable and stable produc - tion process. “The timeshot or balancing system in the mould can bemirrored by the injection moulding machine via VNC,” adds Langwald. Compared to hydraulic sys - tems, the newest ServoMix models report low energy consumption. They work more sustainably, and there is much less waste and mate - rial consumption. By regulat - ing the flow rate according to actual requirements, users can save up to 70 percent in energy. The material loss due to residual quantities in the barrel amounts to less than 0.3%. “Overall, the systems are more environmentally friendly,” states Langwald, referencing the company’s “Act! Sustainably” corporate mission and CSR statement which underpins Sumitomo (SHI) Demag‘s efforts and future machinery and equip - ment innovations. Sumitomo (SHI) Demag presents a fully optimised LSR production cell All pictures: Sumitomo (SHI) Demag Sumitomo (SHI) Demag www.sumitomo-shi-demag.eu