Insights
A brilliant exhibition of injection molding technology
| Petra Rehmet
Eighteen live demonstrations and three world-firsts
In the area of injection molding technology, the KraussMaffei Competence Forum on June 6 and 7 in Munich is fully centered on its main theme "Processing intelligent materials with intelligent machines". KraussMaffei will use a total of 18 injection molding machines, including three world-firsts, to demonstrate its leading expertise in a variety of applications and industries.
For example, visitors will be able to catch the premieres of the PX 25 and PX 320, which expand the clamping force range both upwards and downwards for the all-electric machine series. For the first time in Europe, the new GX Speed will be on view, demonstrating its strengths in the area of large packaging and logistics solutions. The GX 650 Speed will produce a 400-ml popcorn flower cup with a wrinkled surface look. An additional GX 400 will be producing fittings made from polypropylene in a 10-cavity mold. Other highlights are the demolding process with an innovative link guide, the 6-axis robot with high-tech gripper and the integrated sprue disposal.
DCIM, a worldwide innovation
The CX series comes with the world-first DCIM. DCIM stands for "Direct Compounding Injection Molding" and refers to compounding using a single-screw extruder right on a machine with a smaller clamping unit. DCIM will thus enhance the already tried-and-tested IMC compounder, which is primarily suited for larger shot weights. Customers can combine or compound their material with additives, fillers or fibers themselves and save significant costs.
Injection molding with integrated hollow glass microspheres
An additional must-see at the Competence Forum is the processing of 3M hollow glass microspheres on the MX 1600-12000. This material allows precise cavities to be made in the compounds, reducing the density. This minimizes weight and offers a great deal of potential for lightweight automotive construction or for insulating properties in construction. The FlexFlow hot runner control from KraussMaffei's Partner, HRS Flow, has been integrated into the MC6 control system to ensure perfectly balanced cascade calibration. This results in components free of joint lines, which can then be painted or electroplated directly.
New fiberglass direct feeder
The new GFE fiberglass direct feeder highlights new options for fiberglass-reinforced lightweight construction. In this process, the screw itself pulls in the rovings and breaks them to the desired length. As a result, the mechanical strength is higher than with conventional LGF granulates. Guests at the Competence Forum will be able to test this themselves using manufactured test bodies for tensile strength, weld line strength as well as notched impact strength.
Additional highlights of KraussMaffei injection molding technology at the Competence Forum include silicone processing (liquid and solid silicone), thermoplastic lightweight construction with FiberForm technology and ColorForm applications featuring piano black.
