Smart Molding International 4-2021

molding technologies 36 smart_molding international 4/2021 made from thick sheet semifinished products, this allows an individual and largely free choice of dimensions. In this specific case, the portal open - ing was selected in consultation with the customer and the mold maker to accommodate a rotary table with a turning diameter of 2720 mm, on which molds with a platen size of 2200 x 1600 mm or 2000 x 1800 mm can be clamped. This made it possible to align the machine to the clamping force re - quirement (maximum 12,000 kN) and not to the given size specifications of conventional horizontal machines. Advantages in every respect In addition to flexibility in dimension - ing, the VR-machine-system from LWB- Steinl also offers other advantages: the clamping unit, for example, which con - sists of two frame modules, offers the possibility of adjusting or balancing the clamping force to the twomoldcavities, if required, thanks to the four pressure modules positioned above both frame units. The horizontal rotary plane of the rotary table eliminates all weight influences on its rotary axis bearing and the rotary feedthroughs for the coolants and the electro supplies. The injection unit positions also differ from the usual ones. Instead of the piggyback configuration with close injection spacing through a central opening in the fixed machine platen, the two units are mounted separately on the top of the clamp - ing frame modules and are thus easily accessible. Another advantage of the VR-clamp - ing unit is its slim structure. This pro - vides good accessibility to the mold area by means of an industrial robot positioned next to the machine - and is thus also comparatively easier and more space-saving than with the hori - zontal machines. For the (infrequent) mold changes, a mold station with a mechanical tele - scopic cross transport is docked to the machine and the mold, which weighs up to 18 tons, is pulled out of the clamping unit. The in-house transport of the mold station and the mold is handled by the overhead crane. Two injection units are mounted separately on the top of the clamping frame modules and are thus easily accessible Tool changing station which, can be docked to the machine using an indoor crane