The Wittmann Group presented its latest injection moulding technology, automation and peripheral equipment at the international trade fair Feiplastic in Sao Paolo, Brazil.
MacroPower 500/5100 was demonstrated producing stackable PP storage box from a single-cavity mould. (photos: Wittmann Group)
Brazil is the largest single country and economy in South America and has emerged as the most important and dynamic one as well. Feiplastic was identified by Wittmann Battenfeld as an interesting opportunity for the company to present its latest technology to plastics processors from Brazil and other South American countries. The company’s stand included examples from its entire range, as it sought to present itself as a single resource for cost-effective, energy-efficient and space-saving machinery.
Power play
The heart of Wittmann’s machinery range is the PowerSeries and a representative model from each sector was exhibited.
In the large machine sector, a MacroPower 500/5100 was shown producing a stackable PP storage box from a single-cavity mould supplied by Haidlmair. Parts were removed and stacked on a conveyor belt by a Wittmann W843 robot. The demonstration drew particular attention to the machine’s small footprint, uncomplicated rear-access lateral mould change and the Quicklock locking system, which is designed to do exactly what its name says – lock quickly.
An EcoPower 180 was demonstrated manufacturing PP insulin pen parts from a 48-cavity Hasco mould.
Electric touch
The all-electric EcoPower series was represented by an EcoPower 180. A 180t clamping force machine, Wittmann says it is distinguished by its high energy efficiency, which is partly achieved by the use of deceleration energy for barrel heating and control system power supply. The machine was shown manufacturing PP insulin pen parts with a 48-cavity mould from Hasco, Austria.
Small is beautiful
In the nano- and micro-injection moulding machinery, a MicroPower 15/10 demonstrated precision along with cost and energy efficiency with the production of a venous clamp made of POM, weighing just 0.003g. It used a four-cavity mould, supplied by Microsystems UK, with a cycle time of 4s. A Witmann W8VS2 robot removed the parts and presented them to a camera integrated in the production cell and the machine’s control system for quality inspection. The entire process was completed in a clean-room environment.
In addition to the PowerSeries equipment, an HM 110 ServoPower servo-hydraulic machine on the stand is claimed to achieve energy savings of up to 35%, compared to conventional drives with asynchronous three-phase motors.
HM110 ServoPower servo-hydraulic offers claimed energy savings of up to 35%.
On the periphery
Wittmann also presented a range of peripheral appliances as stand-alone solutions. The high-speed W821 UHS robot features a vertical axis driven directly by a planetary gear system engaging with a cog belt, in order to achieve constant minimal mould opening times over the longer term. In order to ensure effective absorption of torque on acceleration and deceleration, the vertical axis is mounted on an extremely rigid horizontal axis.
W821 UHS robot offers short mould opening times.
Other peripheral equipment exhibited included temperature controllers from the Tempro Basic, Tempro plus D and Tempro Direct series, flow controllers, Gravimax B34 and Dosimax blenders, Drymax Aton, Drymax E and Silmax dryers, Feedmax B material loaders and a central material conveying system with an M7.3 control system.
Feedmax B loaders
The Drymax Aton desiccant wheel dryer combines a constant dew point with high energy efficiency and lower maintenance costs. The Feedmax B material separators for central conveying systems are designed for ease of operation, the company says. Tempro plus D temperature controllers come with 5.7-inch LCD colour screen as standard. Various buttons on the display can be freely configured in order to retrieve data as desired. The Gravimax B34 can reach a throughput of up to 200kg/h.
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