Page 9 - Plastics News September 2017

FROM THE EDITOR'S PEN

Hands-on innovations

his issue we have two innovations to discuss about one ,the new mold monitoring system
TPE 600 that ensures mold protection even in ultra-high-speed cycles and second, An
evolution in gas injection molding technology that uses high-performing liquid carbon dioxide
(CO2) instead of gaseous nitrogen.

PE-600: An advanced mold protection
PE 600 is an advanced mold protection device that combines full-color, high-resolution image
processing with a 60% faster processing speed than earlier models. Introduced by the Florida
based Comet Plastic Equipment, the new PE-600 substantially raises the bar for mold protection
offering the highest levels of accuracy and speed. The 1920 x 1080 pixel image resolution and
full-color digital processing improves detection by reducing errors caused by outside light,
refl ections from shiny mold surfaces, shadows on the mold and residue. With its 0.012-second
digital processing speed, even ultra-high-speed molding applications having cycle times of less
than 2 seconds can benefi t from the PE-600.
The PE-600 has ejection error detection system that monitors both positions of the slide
core, insert loading errors, broken pins and metal die-casting errors. The device also features
automatic compensation for position (mold opening stop position). Users can pre-select the
number of ejection strokes to be performed until the part is successfully ejected prior to stopping AJAY DESAI
the machine and activating an alarm. In addition to preventing mold damage or unnecessary
machine shutdown, this helps reduce the number of ejector strokes required, decreasing wear
of the ejector pins. This function also supports unattended/lights-out operation.

A large touch screen and selectable automatic setup program make the device exceptionally
easy to use, said Comet. The user-friendly software allows precise monitoring of selected areas
of the mold. When a problem occurs, a database stores the inspection data and mold images for
later review. Mold setup information and the inspection database, with images, can be stored
on a standard USB fl ash drive for remote review on a PC. The PE-600 can be used with one or
two cameras that use a standard lens or optional wide angle and zoom lenses. For example,
in a family-type mold application, a standard lens can be focused on the larger parts while a
zoom lens is focused on the smaller or even micro-sized parts. For very large mold surfaces,
either two cameras or a single camera with a wide-angle lens can be used.

Plastinum GIM C
Linde, along Maximator GmbH, a German company specializing in high-pressure, testing,
hydraulic and pneumatic systems, has developed a new, patented technology called Plastinum
GIM C that uses high-performing liquid carbon dioxide (CO2) instead of gaseous nitrogen.
As we know at pressure higher than 150 bars, CO2 is much denser than nitrogen and has a
higher specifi c thermal capacity, plus a high expansion cooling capacity during depressurization
at the end of the cycle. As a result, CO2 has a much greater cooling capacity than nitrogen.
Parts cool far more quickly and are ready to release from the molds much faster.
The technology with Carbon dioxide matches the heat removal and pressure performance of
WIM, and it has signifi cant benefi ts compared to water in relation to process complexity and
stability and equipment costs, with the added advantage of mitigation of an additional drying
step in the fl uid injection cycle. The high effi ciency of CO2 makes it attractive for new molds
as well as retrofi tting existing molds, leading to higher production rates and more consistent
quality.

Hon. Editor
Ajay Desai

9 September 2017 | Plastics News