Injection Molding: Hybrid Line Targeting Packaging Adds Lower Tonnage

Injection molding and automation supplier Engel (U.S. headquarters in York, Pa.) has expanded the lower range of its hybrid packaging-focused injection molding machines—e-speed—to include a 280-ton model. The series ranges up to 650 tons of clamp force.

Engel will debut the machine at its live e-xperience 2020 (Oct. 13-16),  molding thin-wall, 1-liter, round, polypropylene containers for yoghurt. The e-speed 280/70 running the containers features in-mold labelling (IML) capabilities, including equipment from partners Brink (Harskamp, Netherlands), which supplied the mold and high-speed automation, and Verstraete (Maldegem, Belgium), which provided the labels.

The hybrid e-speed, which pairs an electric clamping unit with hydraulic injection, offers injection speeds of between 800 and 1200 mm/sec. On the clamp side, the e‑speed machines are now equipped with hydraulic ejectors as standard, with electric ejectors available as an option.

Engel says the machine bed and mold-mounting platens have also been geared even more closely to the requirements of thin-wall packaging, including high-cavitation tooling.

Energy Efficiency Via Energy Recovery

To boost the system’s energy efficiency, the e-speed’s feature an energy recovery system wherein braking energy from the platen movements is absorbed, with stored energy released back to the motor as needed. The toggle lever is encapsulated to reduce oil consumption and maximize cleanliness, helping the machines meet the sanitary requirements of the food industry.

Scannable Label Promotes End-of-Life Recovery

The labels provided by Verstraete are “interactive”, featuring a code technology supplied by Digimarc (Beaverton, Ore.), which can be scanned by a smartphone camera. Invisible to the nake eye, the codes don’t interfere with the packaging design or decoration, but can provide consumers with information from the product’s ingredients and information on the recycling process.