In addition, automation and applications experts at Arburg’s ATF in Pinghu develop turnkey and tailored complete solutions in cooperation with local partners. An example exhibited at Chinaplas was for liquid silicone rubber (LSR) processing.

Another product designed for the Asian market is the Flexlift, a cost-effective reliable, rapid, and precise robotic system. Its minimal height and telescopic design make it suitable for confined spaces. Powerful servo motors ensure highly dynamic and precise performance of the vertical mold-entry axes. This enables fast removal, accurate and vibration-free movements, and short cycle times.

The proprietary technology developed by Polyplastics captures and evaluates the gases and identifies the mechanism by which pyrolysis gas forms during the injection molding process.

Assembly in the ATF ensures quick availability of the entry-level electric machines. The portfolio includes machine designations 370, 470, 520, and 570, which cover clamping forces ranging from 600 to 2,000 kN. The injection units range from size 100 to 800 for shot weights up to around 430 grams of polystyrene (PS).

An electric Allrounder 470 E Golden Electric EVO with 1,000 kN of clamping force, LSR cylinder, and vacuum equipment was used to mold LSR-based valves for automotive applications at Chinaplas. The material from Wacker — Elastosil at Shore hardness 50 A — is resistant to heat and media and offers good resilience and consistently high performance. Using an eight-cavity mold from Chinese partner Gaoyuan, LSR components weighing 0.8 grams are produced in a cycle time of around 55 seconds. Injection is sprue-less and performed directly via a pneumatic cold runner system. The LSR dosing unit is supplied by Arburg partner 2KM. A Flexlift 10 linear robotic system gently removed the molded parts from the tool and placed them on a conveyor belt.

Arburg set the initial course for its "local-to-local" activities back in 2020, with the opening of the Arburg Technology Factory (ATF) in Pinghu, China, near Shanghai. Initially, activities focused on adapting Allrounder machines to customer-specific requirements and implementing turnkey systems in cooperation with local suppliers of molds and peripheral equipment. This was followed in 2023 by the Flexlift linear robotic system and now the Allrounder Golden Electric EVO. Both product series are specifically tailored to the requirements of customers in Asia, where they are exclusively marketed

Arburg said that the Allrounder Golden Electric EVO is extremely precise, thanks to its high-quality injection units. The servo-electric drives for inject, dose, and open and close mold deliver fast acceleration, high speeds, and simultaneous movements, all of which add up to short cycle times. Dry cycle times are up to two seconds shorter than standard hydraulic machines, according to Arburg. What's more, energy use can be reduced by up to 50% with the toggle-type clamping unit, the high efficiency of the servo-electric drive, and recovery of braking energy, said Arburg.

The company’s proprietary technology captures and evaluates the gases formed during molding and identifies the mechanism by which pyrolysis gas forms during injection molding. It traps gases according to mold-based methods, and uses gas chromatography mass spectrometers (GC/MS) to qualitatively and quantitatively analyze their composition, identify the gases that are formed, and make fundamental improvements to the sources of their formation.

A new testing method that identifies gas formation during the injection molding process helps to reduce mold deposits, according to engineering thermoplastics supplier Polyplastics Co. Ltd. The Tokyo-based company’s Gas Investigation Method in Injection Molding (GIMIM) reportedly facilitates continuous molding and improves production efficiency.

During the injection molding process, high temperatures and speeds along with the deterioration of plastic additives can release high volumes of decomposition gases. Mold deposits, gas burns, and short shots caused by pyrolysis gas can lead to quality problems. These may include undesirable effects on the dimensions and appearance of molded parts, resulting in high defect rates. Maintaining efficient production operations is important as manufacturers work to meet challenging applications such as automotive electrification and automation, said Polyplastics in its announcement.

Stephen has been with PlasticsToday and its preceding publications Modern Plastics and Injection Molding since 1992, throughout this time based in the Asia Pacific region, including stints in Japan, Australia, and his current location Singapore. His current beat focuses on automotive. Stephen is an avid folding bicycle rider, often taking his bike on overseas business trips, and a proud dachshund owner.

GIMIM makes it possible to measure high-molecular-weight substances that can cause mold deposits. Since this method directly analyzes gases that are formed inside the mold during filling, it yields results that are closest to real-world conditions, according to Polyplastics. In further research, Polyplastics plans to examine other problems caused by pyrolysis gas, such as short shots and gas burn defects as well as mold deposits.

The system’s configuration is divided into the three stages of plasticization, metering, and injection, and each unit is fitted with traps to segregate the gases that form within each part of the process.