MATERIALS HANDLING | MATERIALS
Greater automation in movement of materials
Injection moulders are demanding more from their materials handling equipment to meet productivity, quality and digital goals. Mark Holmes reports
Moving materials efficiently and accurately to where they are needed is essential for the produc- tivity of a modern plastics injection moulding facility. Ancillary equipment manufacturers are developing systems and devices to facilitate these objectives with increasingly sophisticated solutions. These include high efficiency and trouble-free conveying and control, with high accuracy, greater automation and reporting structures that can interface with an Industry 4.0 compliant operation. According to Conair, the market for materials handling equipment in injection moulding is moving towards more sophisticated controls, better user interfaces and higher degrees of automation. “Compared to five years ago, when controls were relatively simple, with limited i/o capabilities, customers now are asking for controls that are much more sophisticated and can auto- mate, report on, and manage more aspects of the conveying process,” says Nick Paradiso, Conveying Products Manager. “Conair introduced its latest conveying control, called SmartFLX, in January. The SmartFLX platform supports intelligent features including system self-configuration to aid installa-
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tion, system simulations and modelling to manage system growth, and self-diagnostic and trouble- shooting capabilities that eliminate most on-site service calls. The SmartFLX platform also provides a foundation for a wide range of new product additions, such as the AutoWave feature and material proofing.” Paradiso adds that pressure from government, consumers, and industry is definitely driving greater emphasis on recycling and a wider use of recycled materials. As a result, there is a greater need than ever for systems that are capable of handling recycled materials, which include a wide range of regrind, flaky, and dusty materials that are more difficult to handle and do not flow freely through conveying systems, typically requiring new ways of assisting flow. There are also other trends and influences driving development in materials handling. “From a development standpoint, there is the need for more sophisticated controls and reporting, and the desire by customers to read and write to the control with manufacturing planning and execution systems,” says Paradiso. “In addition, though, there
Main image: Handling recycled materials is a new challenge for which technology suppliers are offering solutions
September 2021 | INJECTION WORLD 43
IMAGE: BRABENDER TECHNOLOGIE
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