Engel at Plastpol 2018: Process expertise with iQ

With two challenging applications on a servo-hydraulic and an all-electric injection moulding machine, Engel will clearly demonstrate how process consistency and quality can be combined with efficiency and economy at Plastpol 2018 from May 22nd to 25th in Kielce, Poland.

The focus is on high-performance machines and automation as well as intelligent control technology that opens up additional optimisation potential for processors.

Power package on a small footprint

Maximum force on a comparatively small footprint - this is what Engel duo dual-platen injection moulding machines stand for. In terms of footprint, the Engel duo 500 is one of the smallest machines in this series and, with a dry cycle time of 2.6 seconds and an opening stroke of 600 mm, the fastest dual-platen machine on the market.

At Plastpol, an Engel duo 3550/500 will be manufacturing engine covers from glass-fibre and mineral-fibre reinforced polypropylene in combination with an Engel viper 20 linear robot.

Equipped with a new-generation injection unit, the servo-hydraulic duo 500 achieves particularly high precision. Intelligent assistance systems from Engel’s inject 4.0 range are deployed to compensate for additional fluctuations in environmental conditions and the raw material. iQ weight control analyses the pressure profile during the injection process and compares the measured values with a reference cycle in order to adapt the injection profile, the switching point and the holding pressure profile to the current conditions for each shot. "This means that we can keep the injected melt volume constant over the entire production period and reliably prevent rejects," says Piotr Nachilo, Managing Director of EngelPolska based in Warsaw. "iQ weight control is already widely used by our customers and has proven itself in a wide variety of applications."

iQ for consistent processes and more efficiency

While iQ clamp control was initially only available for injection moulding machines with electrical clamping units, Engel is presenting the new release for use in hydraulic machines of the duo series at PLASTPOL. The software calculates mould breathing in order to determine the ideal clamping force and adapt it automatically. In the production of large-area injection moulded parts, such as engine covers, iQ clamp control opens up a great deal of potential for higher production quality. If the clamping force is too low or too high, this can lead to burn marks or flashes.