Stroke Regulator for Hydraulically Driven Valve Gate Systems

Oerlikon HRSflow has developed a Mechanical Stroke Regulator (MSR) for hydraulically driven valve-gate systems that allows users to preset the opening positions of the pins in hot runner systems. Users can specify the individual oil volumes via a graduated scale adjustment. The valve-gate system can then bring the needles into their intended position. This allows the pressure drop for each nozzle to be set independently, and the pressure distribution during the packaging phase to be controlled.

The MSR is ready-to-install on all of the company’s existing hydraulic cylinder series equipped with electrovalves. Installation can be limited to individual nozzles to save costs, and the company says it only takes around 10 minutes and can be done without dismantling the mold. Modifications to the existing hot runner cutout are not required. If combined with Oerlikon HRSflow’s FLEXspeed system, the speed of the pin can also be adjusted.

Oerlikon HRSflow says that MSR units in the field have proven effective at balancing the melt flow in cascade molding and avoiding surface defects, with numerous trials also demonstrating success in family molds. In a release, the company said management and correct positioning of the pin can eliminate many part defects, with the new MSR making the pressure drop proportional to the opening stroke of the pin.