Ferromatik Milacron: New High-Performance Hybrid and All-Electric Machines at Fakuma 2009

Injection molding machine maker Ferromatik Milacron (www.ferromatik.com) will present two exhibits at Fakuma 2009. The new high-performance hybrid VITESSE 300 shows just how fast an injection molding machine can be. The ELEKTRA evolution 230 is a study in energy efficiency.

Fast, Faster, VITESSE
The new VITESSE series was previewed in May 2009 for a select group of packaging industry experts. At Fakuma the machine will be unveiled to the public. "The VITESSE takes its name from the French word for "speed", the most remarkable feature of the new machine series", said Robert Trube, Director Sales & Marketing at Ferromatik Milacron. "They are the fastest injection molding machines available", he added .The electric screw drive of the VITESSE allows for parallel functions, resulting in extremely short cycle times. The stability required for the excellent machine dynamics is provided by a reinforced machine base with linear guides. The result is reliable performance at the highest speeds.

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The VITESSE series comes in clamping force sizes of 2,000, 3,000, 4,000 and 5,000 kN, and can be equipped with injection units of international sizes 1,000, 1,650, 2,650 and 4,400. In total ten combinations are available.

The VITESSE comes standard with Ferromatik Milacron´s GreenLine energy saving package, comprised of the three elements:
• Energy-efficient drive technology: the hydraulic pump comes with a high-efficiency motor
• Energy management: the hydraulic accumulator is only filled to the required level for each application - in addition, parallel movements are avoided where not needed, minimizing expensive energy peaks
• Energy measurement: detailed quantification of energy usage by cycle, hour, and shift

The new VITESSE series also includes Ferromatik Milacron´s Teleservice for remote-maintenance of machines and process optimization. Teleservice includes all the necessary hardware and software for connecting the machine to the internet. Machine data and parameters can be analyzed and modified from Ferromatik Milacron´s main facility in Malterdingen, Germany. Since no technician needs to travel to the customer´s facility to perform these services, both time and additional costs are saved.

Ferromatik Milacron provides a three-phase warranty package with the VITESSE:
• Full warranty up to 2 years, or 15,000 operating hours
• Warranty for electrical and electronic parts up to 3 years, or 22,500 operating hours
• Warranty for constructed parts of steel or cast materials up to 4 years, or 30,000 operating hours

Production of a 5.7 liter polypropylene bucket
At Fakuma a VITESSE 300 with a clamping force of 3,000 kN and an international size 2,650 injection unit will be demonstrated in a complete production cell with an in-mold labeling system from Star Automation. Using a single-cavity mold from Abate Basilio, the machine will demonstrate production of a 5.7 liter polypropylene bucket with in-mold labeling and a cycle time of 8.2 seconds. Standard equipment on this machine includes a high-performance barrier screw with a mixing head and an L/D of 25:1 for optimal melt quality and even color distribution.

ELEKTRA Stands for Energy Efficiency
The all-electric ELEKTRA series from Ferromatik Milacron uses 50-70% less energy and water than hydraulic injection molding machines. Thanks to parallel machine movements, the ELEKTRA offers molders remarkable dynamics and short cycle times. The machine axes are accurate within 0.01 mm for exceptional precision and superior part quality. Maximum machine availability and repeatability ensure high productivity and a low scrap rate. In addition, the all-electric ELEKTRA series run clean and quiet.

The ELEKTRA series comes in clamping force sizes of 300, 500, 750, 1,100, 1,550, 1,800, 2,300, and 3,000 kN and can be combined with injection units of international sizes from 55 to 1,540.

Production of plypropelene syringe housings
At Fakuma an ELEKTRA evolution 230 with a clamping force of 2,300 kN will demonstrate production of plypropelene syringe housings on a 48-cavity hotrunner mold from Schöttli and a cycle time of 9.7 seconds. This medical technology part will be removed by a robot from Sepro for quality control and then released. The ELEKTRA evolution 230 is equipped with the largest injection unit available for this machine, an international size 1,540 with a double motor for extremely high-speed injection. The ejector platen is supported by linear bearings for easy mold movement which ensures high precision parts.

Photo: VITESSE 300: new high-performance hybrid injection molding machine with a clamping force of 3,000 kN

FAKUMA 2009, Friedrichshafen, 13.-17.10.2009, Hall B3, St. 3203

Ferromatik Milacron Maschinenbau GmbH, Malterdingen, Germany

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