PETpla.net Insider 10 / 2010

CAPPING / CLOSURES 56 PET planet insider Vol. 11 No. 10/10 www.petpla.net High-speed caps Sumitomo (SHI) Demag Plastics Machinery Gmbh will be launching a new gen- eration of its El-Exis series at K 2010. The SP series will be represented by an El-Exis SP 300 model, which produces screw caps using a 72-fold mould made by KTW. The cap is a ‘short- neck’ model, designed for bottles containing still water for a discount grocery store. The caps are injection moulded from HDPE, are 26.7mm diameter and weigh 1.6g. they are produced in a cycle time of just a few seconds. After ejection, the caps pass a cooling line and are routed to a hopper system, which feeds into a 100% quality control. The parts are closely inspected for geometry and colour in an IMD Vista optical inspec- tion system, before being stored in a filling machine. The production cell to be exhibited at K 2010 – which will be a complete production unit – has an output capacity of 100,000caps/h. The El-Exis series of machines is already well-established in the packaging industry. Sumitomo says that the new SP series incorporates the results of detailed analysis of the requirements of the packaging market, which are implemented in a number of improved components within the machine. Improved efficiency The SP series will be available with clamping forces ranging from 150 to 750t. Sumitomo says that the reli- ability of the machine’s existing hybrid drive, which has been enhanced for high dynamics and precision, makes it particularly suitable for high-speed applications. The efficiency and precision of the ejector have also been improved, with the intention of meeting its market’s specific require- ments. The company claims that the enhancements and developments make the SP series ready to meet future needs, as well. Technological improvements have also been made on the injection side, with the intention of achieving highly dynamic injection and reproducibility. The dosing unit’s direct drive is fre- quency-controlled, low maintenance and claimed to be very efficient. The modifications mean that it is possible to achieve higher plasticising outputs, which help to shorten cycle times and raise productivity. The new features are supported by the NC 5 control system, fitted as standard, which offers ease of opera- tion through a touch screen and key panel. Clamping and injection unit sequences are freely programmable. A special input function allows the user to adjust the dynamics of the machine to specific applications by means of a slide control, which also helps to save on cycle time in critical areas. Sumitomo (SHI) Demag says that the new features in the El-Exis SP series will deliver fast, economic, energy efficient and reliable produc- tion for high-speed injection moulding applications. www. sumitomo-shi-demag.eu Sumitomo Hall 15 Booth D22