Page 39 - Plastics News June - 2020

HRS flow designs new FLEX flow Evo Henkel expands gasketing portfolio with its
technology Loctite AA 5884

RS flow has introduced its FLEX flow Evo technology for
Hfacilitating use of servo-controlled valve gate systems H enkel has recently introduced Loctite AA 5884
Introduced in early 2020, FLEX flow Evo is an advancement of expanding its gasketing product portfolio for Auto
the FLEX flow technology for servo-electrically driven valve industry. Loctite AA 5884 is a new polyacrylate
gate systems which had revolutionized sequential injection gasketing technology that enables customers to
molding. With actuators directly fixed on the manifold, the enhance the performance and reliability of their
result is a ready-to-install system for quick and safe
installation on the mold. The updated software simplifies products, all while achieving productivity goals and
the operator's work and can be easily retrofitted to all reducing overall costs. The product has higher oil
existing control units. The new controller is even more resistance and proven lower gas permeability,
responsive with its optimization of the data transfer. FLEX according to Henkel. The new polyacrylate gasket
flow Evo is complemented by the FLEX flow Evo One valve material has an excellent resistance against oil and
gate system, which is also servo-motor driven. Instead of the ATF fluids and dose not promote oil foaming. The new
usual control system, a simply designed driver module Loctite AA 5884 product marks a milestone in chemical
coupled to each individual nozzle takes over the task of
controlling the melt flow in order to produce molded parts and process development within the automotive
with reproducibly high quality. Currently, the most industry. It delivers true benefits for the fast and
promising application trends for the FLEX flow Evo efficient manufacturing of compression gaskets with a
technology include family molds and back-injection of films sustainability edge. Engine covers, transmission
that helps significant cost savings compared to separate covers and electronic components are being
production of the individual components. What's more, FLEX
flow Evo also allows for producing parts with significant integrated into a growing number of plastic parts such
differences in geometry and weight in one mold. Film back- as covers or header tanks, which need to be sealed to
injection with capacitive films is a forward-looking the core component unit. The most commonly used
technology that is only just beginning to develop. It enables, plastic-to-metal substrate sealing method is the press-
for example, the integration of functional elements with a in-place (PIP) process. With the introduction of a new
low thickness, such as lights, sensors or touch switches, and polyacrylate gasketing technology, Henkel has made
thus provides a previously unknown level of design flexibility,
especially for automotive applications with grained or high- the direct dispensation of a liquid gasket onto the
gloss Class A surfaces. customers' part possible. These static gasket materials
are positioned between two flanges which are held
together by fasteners to prevent the leakage of fluids
and/or gases, by closing the gaps between these
surfaces. The liquid gasket is cured by ultra-violet
light within seconds and becomes a solid compression
gasket with no knit line. This reduces the risk of re-
work and leakages, while improving the productivity.
It also lowers the overall cost by automating the
gasketing process and eliminates the inventory and
the complexity of the PIP solid gaskets.

June 2020 39 Plastics News