- Switchover point and injection profile are adapted to current conditions
- Rejects to be significantly reduced, productivity increased
- Advantages also for thick-walled components
Producing moulded parts of a consistently high quality shot by shot is the aim of every injection moulder. Simply using a precise injection moulding machine will not achieve this, however. Even minor changes in ambient conditions or in raw materials and wear have an affect and can mean that parameters need to be readjusted. The IQ weight control software of Engel makes it possible to automatically recognise deviations and compensate for them in the same shot. As a result, rejects can be significantly reduced and productivity increased.
Switchover point and injection profile are adapted to current conditions
To achieve this, the software analyses the pressure profile at the screw position in real time during the injection process and compares the measured values with a reference cycle online. Based on these results, the switchover point and the injection profile are adapted to the current conditions which keeps the injected volume constant during the entire production run. Thus the effects of fluctuations in viscosity on the filling of the mould, especially in applications with switchover points that depend on the injection pressure, can also be compensated. Moreover,?the automatic holding pressure correction now makes it possible to compensate for fluctuations in viscosity even after the injection phase has been completed by adjusting the holding pressure profile.
Advantages also for thick-walled components
The new feature opens up a wider range of applications. While the automatic readjustment of the injection parameters increases weight consistency, especially in the fabrication of thin-walled components, it is the holding pressure phase that has a crucial impact on quality in the production of thick-walled parts.
Demonstration during symposium
During its symposium, Engel will demonstrate the potential of the software in the production of housing parts for medical use made of polypropylene on an all-electric Engel e-motion 170/110 T injection moulding machine. Adding small amounts of a material that flows more easily (wax) simulates realistic fluctuations in viscosity. Without corrections to the holding pressure, the weight of the components increases with sinking viscosity by up to 0.29g. This corresponds to almost one percent of the component weight and leads to unacceptable deviations. However, when the automatic holding pressure correction is activated, the component weight remains consistently within the tolerances with fluctuations of 0.07g, and no rejects are produced.
IQ weight control is available for all ENGEL machines with electric injection units. The software does not require any additional hardware: instead, it is integrated into the CC300 control unit of the injection moulding machines.