MATERIALS HANDLING | MATERIALS
system are based on feedback from customers active in the micro extrusion and injection mould- ing market. The adjustments to the design ensure that an even larger part of the dosing system can be manufactured using 3D printing. This results in a higher vacuum level and better intake of the masterbatch by the dosing disc. Improvements in the material flow have also been made. All product codes for the MCNexus remain unchanged, and the improved components are backward-compati- ble with previous versions. Wittmann has developed
IMAGE: WITTMANN
monitored Codemax cou- pling stations to ensure that the implementation and results of material changes meet the most stringent quality standards. The com- pany says that a mould change on processing machines is often accompanied by a change of material as well. The latter should proceed as quickly, easily and safely as possible. A single mistake can lead to serious problems, which in most cases are not instantly detected and cause high extra costs in terms of faulty parts. The mechanical design of material distribution systems can vary greatly and may be planned individually. Moreover, these systems can be made from a wide range of different materials, such as entirely from stainless steel, but also from a combina- tion of hardened stainless steels with glass elements, depending on the requirements. Wittmann dispens- es with welding in producing its material distributors. Codemax coupling stations offer a pluggable version with sealed pipe clamps, which permits subsequent exchange of pipe elements and the use of wear-resistant parts where necessary. Special fast camlock couplings for material
transport pipes are manufactured exclusively for use on Wittmann Codemax coupling stations. They are aluminium and fully sealed, produced without sensitive threading and mounted on stainless steel pipes. This is the only way to ensure that any individual requirements specified by customers can actually be met, such as exclusively stainless steel for parts coming into contact with products. Their extremely sturdy design also copes with rough handling of the couplings in operation. Material hoses and couplings that are dropped must still be able to withstand such incidents without any deformation or other kinds of damage. The camlock couplings ensure safe connections without leakages and can be re-plugged quickly.
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RFID antennas and tags on every coupling make
sure that correct connections are established between material feeding pipelines and processing machines. The connections are monitored via the Wittmann network control for material handling systems and checked against the input from the system’s operator. If a coupling process is triggered on the network control system without operator input, this immediately generates an error signal, and the material transport affected is stopped. This reliably prevents feeding of the wrong material to a processing machine. The same procedure is followed if a material change has been triggered via the control system and the wrong material is connected to the coupling station. Before a coupling process is carried out, the system operator is shown which material hose must be connected to which distributor unit. Both
incorrect and open connections are
visualised on the control system’s graphic display. All of this ensures in every single case that the processing machines are always supplied with only the required material, and leakages caused by open connections are eliminated. Mounted inside an aluminium housing and overmoulded with a shock-absorbing layer of plastic, the RFID antennas are protected against shocks. Existing material distributors can also be retrofitted with RFID antennas, and subsequent extension of monitored coupling stations present no problems. The company adds that Codemax is easy to
operate, and all currently available coupling options can be retrieved from a central point. With the help of such a system, fast material changes can be achieved, material sources such as dryers, roller containers or external silos can be used by several customers and RFID monitoring ensures a faultless production process. Colortronic has relocated its headquarters from
Friedrichsdorf to Isny in Germany as part of further consolidation within the Motan Group. The merger of Motan and Colortronic started in 2006 in order to exploit synergy in products and know-how. Over the past 15 years, the companies have grown together culturally and organisationally to form a corporate group. “However, the integration of the products into the Motan portfolio led to declining sales of Colortronic products in recent years. The Covid crisis accelerated this trend,” says Sandra
September 2021 | INJECTION WORLD 51
Left: The M8 control network manages Wittmann’s Codemax RFID coupling stations
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