Injection moulding Automated two-platen machine targets shorter cycles and lower reject rates

Related Vendors

ENGEL AUSTRIA GmbH

HASCO Hasenclever GmbH + Co KG

BORIDE Engineered Abrasives

Renishaw plc

At Fakuma, Engel will demonstrate the Wintec t-win 6500 producing around 360 coat hangers per hour. The compact two-platen machine combines a largely standardised configuration with automated part handling and intelligent process control.

Skills shortages, tight deadlines and stretched budgets are challenges only too familiar to many manufacturers. Engel’s Wintec t-win, with 6,500 kN clamping force, tackles them head-on: as a near-standard two-platen machine, it will be running live on the company’s show floor at Fakuma.

On the stand, the t-win 6500 uses a 4+4-cavity family mould to produce four hanger bodies and four hooks at once, with each geometry moulded separately within the tool. A viper 20 linear robot takes care of part removal and places the components onto a conveyor belt. With a cycle time of about 40 seconds, the cell achieves an output of around 360 coat hangers an hour, processing a polypropylene copolymer from Borouge International (formerly Borealis).

The Wintec t-win 6500 is designed for high-volume production and combines a largely standardised configuration with short cycle times and high process repeatability. According to the manufacturer, the machine can be supplied from stock or within a short lead time, while straightforward commissioning is intended to accelerate the start of production.

The machine is based on established technologies and does not require extensive optional equipment for specialised applications. This is intended to limit the initial investment as well as maintenance requirements.

The servo-hydraulic two-platen design gives the machine a comparatively compact footprint, leaving additional production space available for peripheral equipment. Fast clamping-force build-up and synchronous locking are designed to shorten cycle times and increase output. Wintec also expects the system to reduce energy consumption per component.

Maintenance points are readily accessible to help limit downtime. The C3 control system can also be expanded with additional functions, allowing users to upgrade the machine without replacing it.

The t-win series features a friction-free two-platen design in which the moving platen does not come into contact with the tie bars. According to Wintec, this reduces wear while supporting precise movement and platen parallelism. Linear guides in the injection unit are intended to reduce friction and energy consumption while maintaining accuracy during injection and holding pressure.

Operators control the machine via the C3 system with a 15-inch full-HD touchscreen and one-touch functions. The interface is designed to simplify operation, including for employees with limited experience.

Intelligent iQ assistance systems from Engel are included in the standard configuration. These include iQ weight control, which automatically adjusts the injection process to keep the injected volume consistent when ambient or process conditions fluctuate. The system is intended to reduce reject rates, support stable production and shorten ramp-up periods following interruptions.

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