Engel at Fakuma 2015

The raw material for the brass carrier plates is fed directly from a reel and pre-punched including creating a thread. The thread is servo-electrically tapped before the carrier plates – still on the line – are overmoulded with fibreglass filled polyamide. Quality inspection occurs directly after the injection moulding process. In addition to camera-based checks, high voltage testing has been integrated into the progressive mould for the first time, thus ensuring a 100% short-circuit test during production. The OK parts are laser marked to ensure complete traceability before the sprue and sub-gates are removed in the second press module and the finished parts are taken off the line. Eight ready to install parts leave the production cell every 20 seconds. Thanks to the modular design of the MMS systems, additional processing modules can be easily integrated, for example, for resistance or laser welding, riveting, assembly or cleaning of the parts.

Where Engel delivers the production line as system solution from a single source, the entire process is visualised and controlled via the CC300 control unit on the Engel injection moulding machine. This substantially reduces complexity and simplifies operation. At the same time, consistent integration of the controls ensures complete process documentation and traceability.

Packaging: IML with maximum flexibility

Flexibility is the focus of Engel's Packaging exhibition area at Fakuma 2015. An Engel e‑motion 440/160 will be producing 155-ml round containers with an integrated tamper-proof seal using a 4-cavity mould by Otto Hofstetter (Uznach, Switzerland). Thanks to in-mould labelling the production cell will be outputting ready-to-fill packaging. IML automation was implemented by Beck Automation (Oberengstringen, Switzerland). The new BECK-FLEX system will be celebrating its global premiere at the Engel trade fair stand.

The partner companies are collaborating to demonstrate how IML packaging can be produced with maximum economic efficiency despite small batch sizes. BECK-FLEX supports flexible use with various moulds – for both containers and caps –, labels and injection moulding machines with a clamping force of up to 420 tonnes.

As cycle times, in addition to flexibility, are decisive for a packing manufacturer's ability to compete, Engel has designed its all-electric Engel e-motion injection moulding machine for high-performance operation throughout. Cycle times of well below 3 seconds and injection speeds of more than 500 mm per second are achieved. Engel e-motion machines combine best-in-class performance with maximum energy efficiency and hygiene. The closed system for toggle levers and spindles guarantees optimal, clean lubrication of all moving machine components at all times, thus complying with the strict cleanliness requirements of the food industry.