Further, the SM3600-TP was more than just a stand-alone injection machine. It came together with a state-of-the-art large KUKA six-axis robot and other peripheral equipment, all of which in combination completed a total turnkey production cell for non-automotive parts and components.

The space thus created can be utilized for mounting of the injection mold via side entry rather than the conventional method of lifting the heavy mold using a large overhead crane high over the injection machine and lowering it in from above for subsequent bolting to the mold platens. With side entry, the mold can be installed via overhead crane from a much lower height. This was one of the requirements at the processor due to height restrictions within its plant.

Through its affiliate Chen Hsong Europe, Hong Kong-based injection molding machine builder Chen Hsong has successfully delivered and installed a large two-platen press with 3,600 tonnes of clamping force at a customer in Germany. The Supermaster SM3600-TP features numerous optional specifications that fulfill the exacting demands of the customer.

Now known as Beacon Engineered Solutions, Acromatic Plastics will continue to provide its customers with the high-quality products, components, services, and support that they have come to expect from this mixed-use facility. Customers will benefit from expanded molding capabilities and engineering services, as well as Beacon Engineered Solutions’ track record of success in launching custom, complex, precision-molded products and component assemblies for use across a broad range of industries and end-use applications, said Beacon in its press release.

Plans are underway to add cleanroom capacity and build out Beacon’s tooling and liquid silicone rubber (LSR) molding capabilities at the facility in Leominster, MA. This will enable Beacon MedTech to meet demand for its contract manufacturing services and precision molded products, components, and sub-assemblies for single-use and Class II medical devices and other life science applications.

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 is a proud dachshund owner.

Beacon Manufacturing Group has acquired precision molder Acromatic Plastics and will make the 110,000-square-foot facility available to its Beacon MedTech Solutions business to support future growth plans. The company has also entered into a partnership agreement with Sumitomo Demag to purchase several injection molding machines, with the first two expected to be delivered in the fourth quarter of 2021.

A key selling point of the Supermaster SM3600-TP is reportedly its “extractable platen technology” that was implemented to enable easy mold changes. In this concept, the machine has three tie-bars of extended length and one of standard length (the upper tie-bar on the operator side). During normal operation, the moving platen moves within the range as limited by the length of the shorter tie-bar. However, when a mold change is required, the moving platen can be retracted back as far as the extremities of the three longer tie bars, thereby leaving one corner of the moving platen detached from the shorter tie bar.

In close and open cooperation with the customer, Chen Hsong was able to deliver a competitive solution to the customer aligned with its needs. Chen Hsong technical personnel worked together with the customer’s staff onsite during installation and start up. This successful delivery of a large machine will most probably will result in more orders in the near future according to Chen Hsong.

“We’re committed to expanding our footprint, scale, and capabilities to support our customers’ growth and are enthused that capacity upgrades, leasehold improvements, and new equipment installations are scheduled to be completed during the first half of 2022,” said Bob May, CEO of Beacon Manufacturing Group. “At the same time, we are pleased to offer Acromatic’s customers greater access to expanded capabilities, engineering resources, and services.”

The injection machine and all associated peripheral equipment are directly connected to a central control system that displays an overview of all critical process- and equipment-related parameters. A linkup to a central computer is also provided to ensure traceability of materials, process data, and other product information.

Needless to say, with such an impressive item of processing machinery as part of its molding assets, the German customer wishes to remain anonymous so as to not give up any of its competitive advantages derived through operating the injection press. But it seems certain that this won’t be the last Chen Hsong injection press to find its way to Germany. At the recent K Show in Düsseldorf, Chen Hsong received positive feedback from plastic processors who visited the company’s booth. All signs point to further success in Europe and beyond.

Chen Hsong’s delivery of the large tonnage machine to an end user in Europe also represents a coup in that the machine is made-in-China. Normally, European molders might be expected to shun such equipment. In this case, however, the German processor initially installed a 178-tonnes clamping force JM178-ai-SVP/2 eight months’ prior to taking delivery of the SM3600-TP machine. Through this initiative, the molder’s machine operators were able to get accustomed to Chen Hsong machines and became receptive to wider deployment within the organization.