At K 2022, which will take place in Düsseldorf from 19 to 26 October, Oerlikon HRSflow will focus on an extensive range of hot runners tailored to small shot weights and the new Xp nozzle series for use in thin-wall injection moulding. Both support the trend towards greater sustainability by helping to reduce energy consumption in plastics processing. Applications of Oerlikon FLEXflow's hot runner technology and other advanced hot runner solutions specifically designed for PCR materials and biopolymers will be on display on the stands of several partner companies. In addition, the company, together with ENGEL and Borealis, will show in a presentation that a lot of time can be saved if all partners involved in a development proceed simultaneously and make full use of the possibilities of simulation.
Reduced dimensions for low shot weights
Hot runner specialist Oerlikon HRSflow has expanded its portfolio to include components for injection molding of demanding parts with small shot weights in stable and reliable processes. The manufacturer now offers complete systems for this market segment, which require tight nozzle pitch solutions. These include nozzles with small dimensions in all designs, from thermal gate to valve gate, as well as the associated manifolds and actuation mechanisms. For multi-cavity applications, a multi-valve plate (MVP) provides perfectly synchronized control of the injection channel across all cavities for high part-to-part weight consistency. Oerlikon HRSflow systems offer optimal colour change performance and easy system restart, reducing waste and increasing efficiency and sustainability.
With unique solutions, the new low shot weight system line covers market segments such as medical technology, thin-walled packaging, beverages, and home goods, e.g. caps produced in multi-cavity moulds, as well as beauty and personal care and technical applications. The latest version of the system is highly reliable for processing even biopolymers and PCR compounds. A version with a specially coated nozzle tip is available for processing highly corrosive polymers including flame retardant compounds.
For demanding applications, Oerlikon HRSflow uses its in-house additive manufacturing process SLM (Selective Laser Melting) technology to produce cooling circuits for all market segments. Thanks to the joint experience with sister brand Oerlikon Balzers, Oerlikon HRSflow also offers innovative surface protection for all moulded part surfaces to increase their corrosion resistance.
For thin-wall injection moulding and stack moulds
The new Xp series of valve gate nozzles from Oerlikon HRSflow is designed to withstand high filling pressures up to 2200 bar and enables fast injection and cycle times in a stable process with high part weight consistency. An innovative, patent-pending solution for stack systems in thin-wall injection moulding has been developed. Assembly is extremely simplified and highly efficient thanks to a plug-and-play installation. This hot runner system, which enables the use of smaller injection moulding machines, fits a maximum plate thickness of 240 mm. This allows perfectly symmetrical systems with up to 8 plus 8 drops to be supplied, with a minimum pitch between cavities of 65 mm and between nozzle and inlet of 120 mm.
Trendsetting for automotive applications
A trend in automotive interiors are interactive panels controlled by touch sensors, whose elements and information only become visible when there is activity. For their production in the IMD process (In-Mold-Decoration), the FLEXflow hot runner technology from Oerlikon HRSflow with its servo-electric needle positioning is increasingly proving to be the tool of choice, because it enables precisely controlled, gentle and low-warpage overmoulding of the sensitive electronic components with high-quality surfaces at the same time.
The cost- and energy-efficient applicability of FLEXflow for perfectly balanced family moulds, even with extremely different part volumes, ensures additional acceptance in this industry. This also applies to HRScool, Oerlikon HRSflow’s solution for hot runner injection moulding, which eliminates the need for water cooling of the associated actuators.
