SMART FUNCTIONS | TECHNOLOGY


Smart machines offer multiple dividends


Deploying the full array of smart functions now available on injection moulding machines boosts condition monitoring, process optimisation, trouble shooting and more. Mark Holmes finds out what suppliers have to offer


Smart functions can now provide essential assis- tance across the injection moulding process, through plasticising, injection, cooling and de- moulding functions, for increased manufacturing efficiency and product quality. In addition, ad- vanced means for predictive maintenance are now minimising downtime and reducing labour costs, while data collection, evaluation and analysis can be shared throughout the value chain to meet quality and traceability requirements. Injection moulders are now also finding that this increased functionality on systems is proving invaluable during the current global pandemic, where restrictions on movement are likely to persist for some time to come. With increasing digitalisation and networking,


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the entire injection moulding process is becoming “smarter”, according to Arburg. “A smart machine recognises the part that it produces and adaptively monitors and controls its processes,” says Jürgen Peters, Head of Software Development. “It actively supports the person at the controls in every operating situation. Our control technology is consistently geared to these requirements. One example of support directly at the machine are the six assistance packages from Arburg for set-up (4. set-up), production start-up (4.start-stop), process optimisation (4.optimisation), programming (4. production), monitoring (4.monitoring) and service (4.service) for Allrounders. For standardised networking with higher-level software tools and


Main image: With Arburg’s Control FillAssist, the filling pattern of the part being produced is displayed on the machine’s Gestica control system interface


October 2020 | INJECTION WORLD 31


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