Two-part stack
MHT, Hall C5 – Booth 440
A stack performs a variety of functions: to reproduce the contour of the preform, to ensure rapid demoulding by means of smart cooling, as well as the ability to adjust to changed preform geometries as easily as possible. MHT has made adjustments to all areas and is demonstrating its new OptiStack mould testing system.
For the first time, the core is divided into two halves and has a patented contour-following inner cooling tube. The whole mould cavity has more uniform parts than before. For the customer, this means easier maintenance and assembly. For example, when converting the mould to a new preform shape, only mould-forming parts of the core need to be replaced. Furthermore, parts of the closure have been separated from contour-carrying components which means that refurbishments can be carried out easily and cost-effectively. The new stack can be seen in operation at the Netstal machine manufacturer stand (Booth 363, just opposite MHT). There, a 72-cavity mould produces lightweight 10.5 g CSD preforms for 0.5 l bottles. A granulate is used which consists of 25% chemically recycled PET.
The OptiRun MHT hot runner used here is ideally suited to the circular economy. During its development, the system was subjected to a lengthy test phase carried out under challenging production conditions (flake content up to 100%) with major packaging manufacturers. The post-cooling solution CoolMax exhibiting at the Netstal stand is claimed to guarantee short cycle times and good preform quality. It is suitable for all cavity numbers and can be individually adapted to special preforms, such as those for which no vacuum can be created.
The GME 30.40 thread of the trade fair preform has already been designed for tethered caps. Matching bottles can be seen at the MHT stand. Like its parent company Krones, MHT is fully committed to recycling and the circular economy. This includes recycling-friendly preform design and technology such as AFM (Active Flow Moulding), which can be used to produce base geometries in a material saving manner. Krones (Hall B6) is presenting its own systems for washing and decontaminating PET flakes. Arranged in tandem, these facilities can convert flakes into food-standard PET feedstock.
