Injection Molding: PET Preform System Refined For Energy Savings, Easier Use

Husky Injection Molding Systems has just launched the next generation of its HyPET HPP5 system for molding PET preforms. The new HyPET HPP5e systems incorporates numerous significant technology improvements to create a “smarter, more intuitive, more productive system” that can tackle the most challenging preform applications while “delivering better energy savings, system reliability, preform quality and user friendliness,” according to Husky.

New “system intelligence” is a key feature said to further reduce energy consumption and thus operating costs. At the heart of the platform is adaptive control technology that uses feedback from pressure and actuator sensors to determine the optimum molding pressure required for each application. This system monitors and automatically adjusts for optimal energy consumption without affecting system capability, cycle time or part quality, Husky says.

Other refinements reportedly make the system more robust and reliable. New conveyor technology is said to significantly reduce “preform bounce” when parts are ejected from the CoolPik unit to the exit conveyor. Less bounce means improved part quality and reduced scrap. In addition, improved mold-alignment “wizard” software enables faster system setup and troubleshooting. Other enhancements include new robot linear bearings to maximize longevity, upgraded Altanium Inside circuit cards for more integrated temperature control with faster response, and a new nozzle shutoff cylinder designed to minimize maintenance by isolating components from external heat sources. Changes to flow sensors support more stable cooling flow to the mold and tooling plate.

User friendliness is said to be improved via controller screen updates and software updates such as a new automatic purge sequence and simplified fault diagnostics with a new color indicator to locate faults and a new diagnostics counter to record the occurrence of each fault.