PET Preform Molding Advances on Display
At K 2022, SACMI exhibited its latest PET preform injection molding machine, as well as quality control via integrated vision and rPET molding specialization.
SACMI presented the IPS 300 at K 2022, stressing low energy consumption and fast, flexible changeovers, completing the IPS range that’s been on the market for 10 years. The machine is designed to work with 24-cavity molds for 48-mm necks and up to 96 cavities for 30-mm necks, with a potential 128-cavity configuration for 26/22 mm necks. Here the company partners with hot runner supplier MHT and utilizes its patented Nano Pitch technology.
The IPS 300 has a lock-to-lock time of just 1.9 sec, and fast cycle times, thanks to the COOL+ after-cooler inside-cooling system. The IPS 300 can run a wide range of plasticizing units—from 625 to 1220 kg/hr—and at just 0.2 kWh/kg, SACMI says the IPS 300 has among the lowest energy consumption rates on the market.
This efficiency is achieved via a combination of a KERS (kinetic energy recovery system) and adaptive self tuning. Based on a Bekhoff TwinCAT architecture with EtherCAT fieldbus, the press infrastructure is opens to IoT capabilities.
Integrated Vision Inspection
The IPS 300 incorporates the PVS 156 from the SACMI Preform Vision System range directly on the machine, with the unit able to complete inspection of a 96-cavity preform tool in 5 minutes or less. SACMI’s Classy AI inspection systems are part of this system.
Classy AI is a smart feature that lets manufacturers immediately classify defect types via a dashboard. It covers everything from the most common defects to those that would be extremely difficult to spot minus the expert eye of a highly trained technician. As an integral part of the PVS 156 preform control system, Classy AI is built into all SACMI CVS vision systems as part of a new approach that puts the human factor back at the center of the operator-machine-software ecosystem.
rPET: Extended Range and Products
For several years, SACMI says all standard IPS models have been able to process up to 100% rPET and up to 50% recycled flake PET. The in-press hopper presented at the K allows for boosts this by increasing the flake share to 70-75%. SACMI says this is because this single hopper optimizes the flake-granule mix without the complexities that stem from having to manage two distinct processing hoppers (SACMI introduced this initially at Drinktec).
SACMI’s IPS 300 PET preform injection molding system rounds out the suite of machines initially launched 10 years ago.
Photo Credit: SACMI
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