CAPS AND CLOSURES | INNOVATION
such as perfect 90-degree overhangs, embedded copper pins and embedded sensors, for example. Volume throughput of MFT is more than 100
times greater per machine than that of PBF/SLM powder bed printing. In addition, MFT produces a smooth (<5Ra) surface finish of internal channels that can be engineered, while 3D printing requires extensive post-process finishing and can leave interior passageways rough (>20Ra). According to HTS IC, the iTherm gate insert
offers several advantages over conventional gate inserts. “Gate cooling is improved,” says Maraž. “Stringing is reduced on the thermal and sprue gates and cold slugs are eliminated through hotter tip operating temperatures for the valve gates. Gate blush and other heat related cosmetic defects can also be prevented. Lack of quality defects means that cycle time improvements are also possi- ble. It also allows the operaton of the hot runner tip at a higher temperature without impacting part quality or inducing mould sticking. In several recent cases, using an iTherm gate insert, cycle times were shortened by up to 20%.” The iTherm hot runner manifold plate is also
produced from forged tool steel or billet steel using HTS additive manufacturing technology. It is a single body component with the same mechanical proper- ties as a tool steel monoblock, but plastic distribution channels can be designed freely, according to the requirements of the moulded part and not limited by the use of conventional drilling methods. The company adds that compared to traditional hot runners, iTherm hot runner manifolds offer advantages, such as uniform distribution and improved part filling through equivalent distance channels, shorter flow paths and uniform pressure drop. There are quicker colour and material changeovers because there are no plugs, dead zones and sharp corners. They also enable higher density of injection gates and a simplification of the manifold stack.
Hot runner manufacturer Heatlock, a Swedish- owned company based in China, reports that it is increasingly being asked for solutions that are more affordable for mass production without compromising performance and quality by large manufacturers of caps and closures. “We design our manufacturing process to ensure that flow channels are balanced and that the pressure drop and speed is controlled for each cycle,” says Calle Helldin, the company’s owner. “We have seen instances in Germany where customers using new electric injection moulding machines have found that whatever settings they tried, each cavity filled equally. Our design process keeps things as simple
www.injectionworld.com
as possible, which maintains production stability and life. All our hot-halves are manufactured from high quality P20 or long-lasting stainless steel. Every cap and closure hot-half has a number of standard elements. These include insulation plates, high tolerance location elements and built-in service tools. They also have a counter to monitor service times, built-in flash memory with complete mould details and a digital project book, which includes full project documentation with service information,” he says. “For particularly demanding projects requiring
pre-production simulation, we can arrange this through Heatlock’s global business cluster. Simula- tions can be conducted as a virtual mould trial if required. The key features of all Heatlock products are standardisation and modularity. Spare parts are available from stock. delivered from one of our service centres around the world, and in most circumstances the next day.” StackTeck Systems, the global manufacturer of multi-cavity, high-volume production moulds, has added stack mould applications to its FastTrack program, a new approach to fast mould deliveries, using automated design capabilities that work with a pre-set, optimised set of mould design rules. Stack moulds for round lids and containers are now available for moulds of up to 2 × 16 cavities, making them especially attractive to those compa- nies in need of increased productivity as a re- sponse to sudden market demands for food packaging applications. StackTeck says that it has achieved record lead times for round container and lid moulds, with deliveries in the range of six to nine weeks. Considering two examples from the FastTrack matrix, the lead time for a round container mould in a 2 × 2 configuration is six weeks from order until
April 2021 | INJECTION WORLD 43
Above:
Hot runner manufacturer Heatlock is developing affordable solutions for mass production of caps and closures
IMAGE: HEATLOCK
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50
