In Mould Labelling in packaging and technical applications
K Show 2013 saw the world debut of Systec SP from Sumitomo Demag Plastics Machinery (SHI). This addition to the company’s existing El-Exis SP high speed series uses a hybrid drive and has a wide range of standard equipment. The Systec SP 280 is equipped with SHI’s new activeColourChange technology module, a flexible pigment dosing system that allows fast short colour changes.
Author: Waldemar Schmitke
Eching, Germany-based company Hekuma designs, manufactures and installs automation systems from a single source, for mass produced articles right through to system integration, including injection moulding machines and moulds. The vertical range of manufacture is 60% made in Europe. At the K fair I met Hekuma’s Managing Director, Mr Bernhard Rupke, who reported on how the company started in 1974 with just two members of staff and how the company managed to significantly increase its customer base spanning sectors as varied as medical technology, automotive and the consumer goods industry (including packaging, IML and TML).
Bernhard Rupke, Managing Director at Hekuma, at the K 2013 exhibition stand
An IML Competence collaboration demonstrated the possibilities of a high-performance system for IML technology (In-Mould Labelling).The collaboration provided information on simplified operation, QA measures and documentation options for IML in food and non-food applications. The presentation showcased the entire IML range as a reference manufacturing cell.
Glaroform showed a fast running injection mould with two cavities for a round-oval 500ml food container. The mould has an on-site hot runner system with pneumatically operated needle valves. Beck Automation added a dynamic automated IML system to the manufacturing cell. The application cycle time is said to be less than 3.0s. Beck's system is equipped with the latest in control and drive technology and is operated via touch screen. An integrated remote access provides the option to log into the system from outside in order to provide customer assistance when required. A camera inspection system from Omron is used for quality control of the manufactured containers. Any parts determined to be flawed are rejected by the Q-Sort Line after inspection, and collected in a Nok parts box. The good products are then stacked and removed from the system via a conveyor belt.
Ernst H. Furrer is supporting the application with temperature-controlled cooling water using its newest cooler technology. "Free cooling" can be deployed optionally. This means that cooling is achieved with cold outside air, as long as the difference is sufficient to permit the desired medium temperature. The use of compressors is unnecessary in this phase, enabling power cost savings of up to 60%. Viappiani Printing produced labels for this exhibit based on a 60µm EUP orange peel film made by Treofan. The container's round-oval shape requires labels to be stamped with precision and to guarantee the fast cycle time with a good electrostatic charge.
BFA Solutions presented the production data capture for a closed cell (MDE) in packaging for IML Competence. The product information system PiSolutions jointly captures, displays and chronologically logs the process data, data sets, orders, error messages and status information. In the case of the exhibited application, the injection moulding machine data was recorded by the machine's standardised Euromap 63 interface and combined with the automation data received from an OPC interface. This data was then stored and visualised in a central database.
www.beck-automation.com
High-performance IML manufacturing cell IML Competence at K 2013 (photo: Beck)
At Franz Henke in Lohne efficiency is an item that occupies a top position on the agenda and has done so ever since the plastics processors reinvented themselves a year ago. The aspect of efficiency is of equal importance, whether we are talking in terms of production or resources – one reason why the company has since invested in 25 new injection moulding machines from Sumitomo (SHI) Demag.
Plant Manager Matthias Völker (right) and an employee from Production with a typical product from Franz Henke: ice cream containers. (photo: Sumitomo (SHI) Demag)
For the first time, Sumitomo Demag presented at K a fully automated in-mould labelling (IML)/in-mould decoration (IMD) production cell, producing a 5‘‘ multi-touch display in one single step. Also for the first time, the SL plasticising assembly that operates without a traditional compression zone was presented in Europe.
Compact production cell combining IML and IMD technology, producing a multi-touch-capable display in one shot (photos: Sumitomo Demag)
Leonhard Kurz Stiftung will be giving a live demonstration of a process for decorating 3D geometries under technically demanding conditions. A special highlight of the display will be the combined application of inmould decoration (IMD) and inmould labelling (IML) on the same injection moulding machine. This machine will be used to produce a curved automotive centre console panel, which will be both decorated and equipped with special functions during the injection moulding process.
The patented 3DHS finishing process, which, in contrast to conventional hot stamping, is capable of decorating three-dimensional components, will also be demonstrated. Kurz developed the 3DHS process as a cost-effective decoration option for slight to moderate 3D geometries. Visitors to the trade fair booth will be able to see a vertical stamping machine developed by the Kurz subsidiary Baier being used to apply a true chrome finish to an automotive air vent cover.
Besides these live demonstrations, numerous new foil design ranges and trends for a variety of industries, such as consumer electronics, home appliances, automotive and cosmetics, will be presented. These include metallic and wood designs with tactile structures for automotive interiors, brushed designs with novel patterns for home appliance products, as well as trendy colours with shimmering effects for mobile devices.
www.kurz.de
Automotive air vent covers decorated by means of the 3DHS process (photo: Leonhard Kurz)
Verstraete IML, one of the leading manufacturers of IML labels, has partnered up with 34 companies to show 16 IML systems at the upcoming K Show and has released an app to provide details of each running IML machine using their labels. In addition to machine details and location at the K 2013, the app also provides an insight into multiple IML innovations. During the show there will a continuous update on IML news, pictures and interesting IML sessions.
For the first time Verstraete IML will have its own booth at the K show (Hall 5, stand B27). There will be a strong focus on IML innovations such as oxygen and light barrier, mock-up digital printed IML, DoubleSided IML, metallic IML, laminated IML and peelable IML.
The app can be downloaded here
www.verstraete-iml.com
Hall 15 | Booth C6
Ferromatik Milacron will presents four system designs featuring flexible injection moulding machines in the modular F-Series along with two all-electric machines from the Elektron series. The modular F-Series is focused on packaging technologies, including In-Mould-Labelling, barrier injection and cube technology. A new small machine is the latest addition to the all-electric Elektron series.
All-electric cube moulding machine with a clamping force of 2,700kN (photos: Ferromatik Milacron)
Wittmann Battenfeld: Hall 16 | Booth D22
Wittmann Robot Systems: Hall 10 | Booth A4
Wittmann Battenfeld is presenting its range of new developments, with the main focus lying on the machines from the PowerSeries. The company will be exhibiting large-scale machines such as the new MacroPower 1500 and the MacroPower E 450 in a hybrid version, with an electric injection unit and a servo-hydraulic clamping unit. A production cell consisting of two MicroPower 15 machines, representing the smaller compact machines, will demonstrate a state-of-the-art example of "lab on a chip" production for the medical industry.
Engel recently announced a record turnover of €950 million. 19% was generated in Asia which is considered as the fastest growing market with packaging and medical applications the fastest growing segments. To show its expertise in this field, the company hosted the Packaging Days 2013 in Bangkok, Thailand. More than 120 visitors from Thailand and South East Asia took part in the two-day packaging event on July 8 to 9, 2013, amongst them Plastics' roving reporter, Michael Maruschke. The event was a combination of lectures, presentations, discussions and live demonstrations.
Before the storm: the Engel E Motion 160t injection moulding machine surrounded by Frigel cooling equipment