World’s fastest system producing HDPE caps with tamper-evident band

• 1.3g HDPE screw caps, 96-cavity hot-runner mould
• Cycle time: 1.9s

With 190,000 caps per hour and 1.5 billion per year, Sumitomo (SHI) Demag together with Total and Plastisud, has set a new world record in the production of HDPE caps with tamper-evident band without post-moulding operations, according to the company.

The El-Exis SP 420-3000 packaging machine produces 1.3g HDPE screw caps on a 96-cavity hot-runner mould (29/25 design) with a production cycle of only 1.9s. This machine is equipped with a 25:1 L/D ratio barrier screw and has been designed with a special backflow barrier aiming to improve reproducibility. Total High Density Polyethylene HD6081 (d = 0.960 g/cm³, MI2 = 8 g/10min), dedicated to still water application, has proved at Sumitomo (SHI) Demag to be the best HDPE resin capable of achieving fastest crystallisation, thus reducing demoulding time between shots.

According to Arnaud Nomblot, Business Development Manager Packaging at Sumitomo (SHI) Demag, “The technical breakthrough was made possible thanks to the excellent flow characteristics of the HD6081 material. A cycle time of 1.9s and perfect injection point quality are the result of optimum combined material, machine and mould performance.”