DKT to unveil innovations in injection moulding

Developments in the field of injection moulding will be a key feature of the DKT / IRC event in Nuremburg – as evidenced by information supplied by machinery and technology companies ahead of the show.

Target applications are corner moulding, the manufacture of small moulded parts and/or small batch sizes and there is also a version with an injection unit for manufacturing TPE products.

The C-frame design features a fully hydraulic clamping unit with a fixed lower plate. This, said Maplan, makes it easier to automate the insertion and removal process of profiles with corner moulding.

Displacement of the profiles out of the tool is said to be effectively prevented, while the C-frame design allows easy access to the mould area on all three sides, added a company statement.

The energy efficiency of the Top-Top machine range can be enhanced by an optional CoolDrive servo-controlled hydraulic pump. This reduces energy consumption by up to 50 percent, by offering extra power for rapid dry cycle times.

Maplan will also present a horizontal machine range at DKT: a 2000kN MHF model demonstrating automated zero-defect production of HTV silicone pen holders in partnership with Elasmo Systems and Robotix.

Engel has developed a new compact hydraulic machine that can process all common rubber compounds and produce O-rings with a 102-cavity mould.

The horizontal machine, with optimised heating plate dimensions and a screw injection unit, delivers “very high” precision for production with small and mid-sized shot volumes, said Engel.

At DKT, the machine will be equipped with an electrically powered brushing device by Berger Bürstmaschinen of Wyhl am Kaiserstuhl, Germany.

Engel will also showcase applications to highlight the suitability of its technology for processing liquid silicone rubber.

Automation technology will, meanwhile, be a focus for Desma which will be marking its 50th anniversary during DKT: the company will demonstrate how robotics automation can enable flexible changes in process sequence or article design, and raise the productivity of multiple-machine operations.

In the area of energy-saving, Desma will present its new EcoSilence temperature-control technology, which can deliver reductions of up to 50 percent depending on article and production cycle.

Desma will also highlight the savings in materials costs that can be achieved via the use of its cold runner systems. Its offerings include the patented FlowControl cold runner block and the ITM-pot ZeroWaste, which earned the company a German Rubber Society award.

Another Desma feature will be its PropterLight system for the optimisation and control of machines and processes. The service is recommened, for example, when a customer is launching new articles or optimising existing processes.

Also highlighted on the Desma stand will be a recently developed “automation technology“ e-training module, which is designed to provide “holistic access” to expertise in the control of modern manufacturing systems.