Page 56 - Plastics News November 2017

PRODUCT NEWS

Simple screw-in solution instead of complex geometry

t Fakuma 2017, HRS Flow presented the HP-Gate, a claims. The gate quality can additionally be optimised
Avalve gate solution that saves the mouldmaker money with combining the HP-gates with HRS Flow's Flex-Flow
and time. It is intended for manufacturing high-quality technology, the company states. The needle position
parts, HRS Flow reports. According to HRS-Flow, the main can be precisely controlled, reducing the influence
difference between of the process conditions. This results in high-quality
standard gates and reproducible parts with optimum gate aesthetics.
the company's HP- HRS Flow is an Italian specialist of development and
Gate is the metal production of innovative hot runner systems for the
insert. HRS Flow injection moulding industry. It is a division of INglass, a
says that a conical- group with more than 1,100 employees all over the globe.
cylindrical gate is
machined, in which
the insert is screwed. Comptek makes European debut
If the insert becomes
worn, the optimal closure can be restored without any of for PolyOne
the usual cost-intensive work on the mould.

Advantages of HRS Flow's HP-Gate: olyOne Corp.'s newly
Pacquired Comptek
• Eliminates the difficulties of complicated gate made its debut at Fakuma
geometries
2017. The Avon Lake,
• Hardness of the inserts enable mouldmakers to use a Ohio-based company
less hard steel for the mould plates produces a broad range
of colorants, additives
• Better thermal control because of special needle
geometry and formulations based
on high-temperature
• Additional option to control needle position with thermoplastics. Comptek employs 20 at its only
Flex-Flow technology production site. Comptek is "a very specialized

The mouldmakers mostly benefits from the design of the business using plastics that are at the top of the
insert, HRS Flow says. There is no need for time-consuming pyramid," Holger Kronimus, specialty engineered
and complex machining of the standard cylindrical materials general manager, said in an interview at
inserts with narrow tolerances, large and variable depths Fakuma. Applications for the Comptek materials
and providing coaxiality between needle and gate.The include dental grips in health care and aerospace
machining also becomes easier, as the mouldmaker is parts. Also at Fakuma, PolyOne highlighted uses of
able to chose a less hard steel, HRS Flow claims. Thanks thermoplastic elastomers in automotive applications
to the hardness of the insert, the mould plates can be where the materials can provide lightweighting as well
made off a steel that is not as hard as usual. High-quality as vibration and sound dampening.
parts without flash thanks to HRS Flow's HP-Gate With
conventional conically configurated needles, there is PolyOne's OnFlex TPEs also are being used in internal
always the formation of the typical plastic layer at the air quality applications for the automotive market.
gating point when the valve closes. When this layer is torn Other product solutions on display by PolyOne at
off from the part it can lead to flash formation According Fakuma included Gravi-Tech density modified polymers
to HRS Flow, the cylindrical needle closure eliminates and LubriOne wear-resistant solutions. Gravi-Tech are
the layer,which normally needs a fine adjustment of the composite materials that provide the look, feel and
process conditions. Thus, the application of HP-Gates sound of metal but deliver the design freedom of a
can reduce time that is required to optimise process polymer. The LubriOne line is inherently lubricated
parameters. High quality can be attained faster, enlarging polymers that eliminate the need for added oils and
the process window at the same time, the company greases between moving components.

Plastics News N ovember 2017 56