The AX, Kraussmaffei's new all-electric injection moulding machine

Kraussmaffei to show electric AX moulding machine

The AX, Kraussmaffei's new all-electric injection moulding machine, will be in action in the UK on 30 June and 1 July as part of the company's European roadshow.

Kraussmaffei will be focusing on cost-efficient production with a compact production cell in operation on the company premises in Warrington (Europa Boulevard, Gemini Business Park) from 09.30 on both days.

The complete production cell featuring an AX 100-380 and an integrated robot will be producing mobile-phone covers.

This complete solution can reduce unit manufacturing costs in injection moulding through higher energy efficiency, greater repeatability, shorter cycle times and a smaller footprint.

All-electric AX machines reduce power consumption, usually by more than 50 per cent and often by as much as 60 per cent, according to the company.

They also consume up to 70 per cent less water than comparable hydraulic machines.

Highly dynamic drive technology and servomotors are said to cut cycle time.

They also boost repeatability, thanks to precision movement control.

The total cost of ownership is also improved by the 25 per cent-smaller footprint of the production cell (including the LRX part removal robot and safety housing).

The AX series will eventually cover the range from 500kN to 35mN (50tonf to 3,500tonf).

It is targeted at standard applications in the automotive, electronics and life-sciences industries, to name a few.

Completing the demonstrations will be a programme of talks on the advantages of electric injection moulding machines, their potential applications and approaches to optimising energy efficiency.

The Kraussmaffei roadshow will give processors in the UK the opportunity to find out more about the prospect of immediate efficiency gains but without travelling far or losing a lot of time.

Arburg exhibits multi-component injection moulding

At the International Rubber Conference (IRC) trade fair, Arburg demonstrated multi-component injection moulding.

An elastomer/thermoplastics application was presented for this purpose.

The exhibit comprised an automation solution built around an energy-efficient electric Allrounder 470 A with two horizontal injection units in an L-configuration and a vertically operating Multilift V robotic system.

The Arburg team welcomed a broad range of visitors to its exhibition stan, which came from a variety of industries, from companies of different sizes.

The visitors were interested in machine technology for elastomer processing and in automation solutions.

The electric Allrounder 470 A, with a clamping force of 1,000kN, offered a demonstration of how two-component moulded parts made from thermoplastic and elastomer can be produced in a precise, energy-efficient manner.

High reproducibility and part quality are ensured by the positioning accuracy of the electric movement axes of the Allrounder A.

Thanks to the precision of the axis movements, synchronous entry into the mould can be performed quickly and precisely, optimising cycle times.

The electric Alldrive machines also have low energy consumption.

In addition to the two size 400 and 170 injection units in an L-configuration, the exhibit was also equipped for elastomer processing and included a robotic system.

The Multilift V enters the mould vertically, sets down the pre-moulded parts in the one-plus-one cavity mould, removes the finished parts and sets them down on a conveyor belt.

The complete integration of the robotic system in the Selogica machine control system means that the entire process is easy to program.

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Cutting Tool Resharpening Decisions

Cutting tool resharpening is called for when your sharpened cutting tool grows dull. If the job the cutting tool is for is a high tolerance job, than resharpening may be more economical than reconditioning the cutting tool every time it grows dull. An example of high tolerance job where cutting tool resharpening would be more economical than reconditioning could be using a table saw to rip long pieces from stock for further manufacturing processes. In this case, the saw blade could be resharpened over and over again until sharpening is not a possibility because the teeth are all gone.

When a cutting tool grows dull, it may become dangerous to use. A dull cutting tool may bind up in the material that you are cutting. When a cutting tool binds in the material being cut, the possibility exists that the cutting tool may break. When a cutting tool breaks while spinning at the rate needed to perform it's cutting, it will become a dangerous flying piece of shrapnel with the potentiality of injuring one or more of your workers. If it does become a piece of shrapnel, it will cost you much more than resharpening it would. Between lost time from your worker having to receive medical attention and the production slowdown, Cutting tool resharpening is a much more cost effective process than using dull cutting tools with all the potentially dangerous things that can happen.

If your cutting tool is used for low tolerance applications, then cutting tool resharpening may not be feasible for that tool. In some cases, it may still be an option. For example, when the cutting tool is used for a simple part-off from stock already machined, then resharpening could be considered instead of sending the cutting tool out for reconditioning each time it grows dull. But if your use of the cutting tool is more complicated procedures that call for a specifically shaped cutter, then cutting tool resharpening should not be considered as a viable option at all. In this situation, the cutting tool should either be reconditioned at your work place or sent to a specialist each time the tool becomes dull, so that you retain the capabilities needed to manufacture the part within allowable tolerances.

Doing cutting tool resharpening at your facility might be more economical than sending your cutting tools to a specialist. If you are causing enough cutting tools to grow dull through use to keep one person busy sharpening them for a full day's work, than it might be less expensive for you to purchase a sharpening machine and train an employee to do the resharpening on your premises rather than sending out to a specialist. Machines that do cutting tool resharpening are not very large and relatively inexpensive. Training schools for cutting tool resharpening can be found in many places and once again, are relatively inexpensive. When taking all of this into consideration, and the amount of cutting tools that can be simply resharpened in your place of business, the decision to resharpen your cutting tools yourself might just be the most economical choice to make.

Logan is a published author of a popular online furniture making magazine. In his free time he enjoys refurnishing old furniture and remodeling his home. Needless to say, he is an expert on a large variety of power tools and he will share his list of essential tools needed for over 100 projects at http://www.mtakata.com. Visit the ridgid power tools website to learn more.

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