Caps & closures | packaging
As the caps and closures market grows, innovation in the sector is coming both from injection moulding machine manufacturers, and from cap and closure producers, writes Mark Holmes
Caps producers get more out of moulding technology
The plastic closure market in Europe grew from 220 billion units in 2010 to 225 billion units in 2014, according to analysis by Applied Market Information. The caps and closures market remains buoyant and OEMs are introducing new machines to allow cap and closure manufacturers to produce ever more sophisti- cated designs at lower cost and lighter weights. Caps producer Closure Systems
International (CSI) says technology trends in caps and closures include uptime and speed, as well as speciality closures. “Injection moulding machine OEMs are constantly optimising their offerings by decreasing cycle times and increasing uptime,” says Clint Rush, Director of Marketing and Business Development. “Most suppliers offer either hybrid or all-electric options that reduce the cycle time while using less energy. They are also turning their attention to interfac- ing with their machines via the internet so that machines can be monitored remotely. Speciality closures usually need slower cycles but may require a rotating platen or cube technology. Both tool makers and injection moulding machine manufacturers are finding creative solutions to do everything within the moulding process. Everything from multi material to assembly is being considered in this platform.” Injection moulding machinery manufacturer Arburg
still sees further potential for plastic closures replacing other materials, such as aluminium. “We see a general trend towards lightweight construction,” says Bertram Stern, Sales Manager Packaging. “End customers’ demands for greater convenience and functionality is also having a positive impact on the development of new closure designs. When it comes to the production
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of closures, the cycle time, and therefore the dynamics and productivity of the machine have the highest priority. Other important properties include reproducibility, reduced energy require- ments, process stability and a long service life.” Stern identifies an
increasing demand for improved functionality and convenience in closures. He
says one example is the new design of
two-colour, flip-top closures for washing-up liquid bottles, which can now be opened with one hand. “Our customers in the packaging industry place a
great deal of emphasis on fast, top-quality high-volume production,” he says. “Production and cost efficiency are the key words. Both can be enhanced through the use of moulds with a maximum number of cavities. In my opinion, the technology reaches its limits at approximately 96 cavities and a maximum clamping force of 4,500 kN. We see a trend towards cube technology, particularly with high volumes and multi-component applications.” In addition to the packaging versions for electric and hybrid high-performance Allrounders of the Alldrive and Hidrive series, Arburg has expanded its product range with the new Allrounder Cube machine series especially designed for high-speed applications in the packaging industry. The new machines with cube- mould technology are available with clamping forces of 290 and 460 tonnes and for moulds with a weight of up to 16 tonnes. Arburg adds that this development was done in co-operation with cube mould maker Foboha. Using Foboha’s experience of working with brand owners, Arburg says that it gathered input on what a cube-mould injection moulding machine should look
Main image: Bericap’s Hexalite 26 closure gives greater grip height for
easier handling
Bertram Stern, Sales Manager Packaging at Arburg
July/August 2017 | INJECTION WORLD 41
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