New Engel e-motion LIM Electric Tiebarless,
for Liquid Silicone Rubber (LSR) injection molding
GUELPH, ONTARIO - Engel has introduced the world's first all-electric tiebarless LIM molding machine at the recent Cleveland Rubber Expo and at K 2001 in Duesseldorf. The new Engel e-motion not only offers the combined benefits of tiebarless and electric - such as the highest precision, improved molding economics, greater power efficiency and superior molding versatility - but now is also available in Engel's industry-proven LIM configuration for injection molding LSR.
"Engel was one of the first machine manufacturers to be involved in LSR injection molding. In fact, we worked closely with the market from very early on to help develop the technology. The precision, versatility and cost advantages of our Tiebarless machine made it a natural for LIM," says John Timmerman, Manager for Engel North America's Elastomer Machinery Division. "With the introduction of the e-motion Electric Tiebarless, we're about to take LSR molding to a whole new level. The expertise we've gained from putting thousands of Tiebarless machines into operation has enabled us to combine these leading technologies, to offer productivity you can't get with any other machine."
The new e-motion LIM is arguably the ultimate LSR injection molding machine, incorporating state-of-the-art Engel Tiebarless technology, electric servo drive and numerous features unique to Engel machines:
- LSR Injection Unit Design: With new servo drive technology, Engel was able to develop an LSR-specific injection system that requires one less servo drive. This development reduces the costs of an electric LIM machine compared to all others, while simultaneously improving injection unit responsiveness and repeatability. A traditional electric reciprocating screw drive remains available for those still requiring the ability to switch back and forth between thermoplastic and LSR molding.
- LSR Processing: In addition to the new injection system, Engel has also added closed-loop feed control. This technology is only possible with Engel's e-motion LIM electric machine
- Tiebarless Design: With over 16,000 applications installed globally, the advantages of Engel's Tiebarless machine over conventional tiebar technology are well documented - a larger mold-clamping area that can accommodate a larger mold in a smaller machine, to save on machine cost as well as plant floor space; faster mold changes and connections for mold water or air; and simpler, faster automation with easily integrated side-entry robots that eliminate movement along the vertical axis for cycle-time savings.
- Automatic Mold Protection: This standard feature on the e-motion makes mold protection both easy and reliable. Via a piezoelectric sensor mounted on the toggle lever, the Engel machine control automatically determines the required pressure profile during the closing stroke. A selectable maximum permissible tolerance is compared to the actual pressure, and the profile is overridden to stop the machine immediately if the permissible tolerance is exceeded.
The new Engel e-motion LIM machine is available with clamp forces of 60, 110 and 165 US tons.
Engel designs and manufactures injection molding machines from 28 to
6000 US tons, and a complete line of part-handling automation. The company combines its unique machine technology with leading processing expertise to deliver Engineered Molding Solutions™ for Rubber and Plastic processors worldwide. Engel global molding solutions are backed by seven manufacturing facilities throughout Europe, North America and the Pacific Rim, and customer support in virtually every industrialized country