PETpla.net Insider 04 / 2012

TRADE SHOW REVIEW 36 PET planet insider Vol. 13 No. 04/12 www.petpla.net Husky: More productive HyCap, efficiency upgrades Husky Injection Molding Systems announced various new developments of its technologies for the beverage packag- ing, closures, medical and hot runner markets at NPE 2012. The principle exhibit on its stand was the global unveiling of the latest version of its HyCap fully integrated injection mould- ing system for beverage closure manufacturing. Husky says that the new systems offer two performance levels, each with improved cycle times along with high levels of reliability, repeat- ability and part quality. The HyCap 300 system that was running at NPE 2012 was producing a 0.95g 26/22 lightweight water closure at a 2.2s cycle, using a 96-cavity KTW beverage closure mould. The latest version offers a 45% productivity improve- ment over the 300 model, which debuted at NPE 2009 with a 72-cavity system running a similar application at a 2.4s cycle. New features include direct drive technology, which Husky claims helps to improve plasticizing speed and control, lead- ing to improved shot-to-shot repeatability and better quality parts. Elements of the system, such as the plasticizing screw and check valve, have been adapted to suit the characteristics of direct drive technology. The clamp lock function has been electrified, with the intention of improving efficiency and cycle potential. The new HyCap has a single interface for central control of the entire system, including hot runner temperature control and auxiliary equipment. The design and development of the new HyCap system had input from both Husky and KTW. The company says that the new mould concept offers cycle time improvements and faster and easier maintenance, as well as specific features such as SmartStart and SmartStop for faster startup and shutdown; simplified set-up; improved mould longevity; and the elimination of the need for sensors to monitor sensitive components. The latest generation of Polaris Control offers high levels of precision and repeatability and a greater degree of fine tuning, which may be of particular interest to faster-cycling lightweight applications. Husky further asserts that its Mold ID feature improves integration between machine and mould, allowing access to specific mould setup and mainte- nance information. Husky’s EcoBase preform design was also featured on the stand. It provides weight savings of up to 2.5% while maintaining the bottle’s mechanical integrity. www.husky.ca KTW integrated at Husky Interview with Jeff MacDonald, Vice-President Marketing, Husky injection Molding Systems As 2011 drew to a close, Husky enjoyed one of the best years in its history. The Canadians have an estimated market share of 80% in manufacturing solutions for pre- forms. And they made big moves in the cap sector by leveraging their May 2011 acquisition of mouldmaker KTW to develop not one, but two new systems for clo- sure production, the first of which was introduced at NPE. We spoke with Jeff MacDonald at the NPE. PETplanet: At your stand here at the NPE we are looking at the newest gen- eration of your HyCap. MacDonald: Yes. It is important for us to show that we are not standing still as far as our efforts in the closure sector and in the preform sector are concerned. The new HyCap 3.0 brings together the best of KTW and Husky to introduce the first true system for injection moulded closures. Compared to the HyCap we showed at the last NPE we have been able to increase the output of the system by 45%. PETplanet: It is just under a year since you acquired the toolmaker KTW. Is this machine fitted with a KTW tool? MacDonald: Yes. The tool comes from the KTW operation in Austria but it is a complete re-design, bringing together the best know-how of both companies. Now that we’ve added KTW’s mould- making capability we are able to take the same systems approach that we do in PET, where we engineer all elements to work together as a system. We’re able to achieve levels of performance not possible by simply integrating different components, and our customers get the benefit of single source support for the entire system. PETplanet: Up to now you have worked together with external toolmakers in the cap sector. How is your further strategy shaping up as far as this is concerned ? MacDonald: While this new HyCap system already benefits from our approach to engineering the complete system as one, it also offers the flexibil- ity to use existing tooling. Flexibility is a very important consideration for us. As we continue to develop our HyCap product line we expect that each element of the system will be dependent on the rest of the system to achieve leading perfor- mance and quality. PETplanet: As regards the preform sector, what you are focusing on at this Fair is optimising existing systems? MacDonald: First of all, new systems business is very important to us as we continue to have a successful and grow- ing customer base. In particular the small H-PET AE systems introduced eighteen months ago has been a nice surprise in reaching new customers and new applications with existing converter customers. Our line-up of systems and tooling solutions has allowed us to again approach 80% market share in the past year. But, in the meantime, there are around 4,000 preform systems operating throughout the world which means that it is extremely important to help our custom- ers to achieve the best performance from their installed base of assets. Today’s systems offer significant economic benefits over older systems but with our Encore upgrade packages, even an older X-line system is capable of a significant improvement in performance. The typical payback on upgrades to X and G-line sys- tems can be in as little as twelve months. PETplanet: Two new suppliers of preform systems have appeared on the market in the shape of Sacmi and Sipa. Does this mean that your 80% share of the market is in danger? MacDonald: Neither Sipa nor Sacmi is actually a “newcomer“ to PET. Both have introduced new concepts. The market will ultimately decide based on the value of the solution and support. We continue to have an exciting portfolio of new devel- opments for both PET and closures and we’re assuming that we will continue to grow with our customers, too. PETplanet: Thank you very much. Jeff MacDonald (right) and Alexander Büchler at NPE 2012