PETpla.net Insider 09 / 2019

EDITOUR PET planet Insider Vol. 19 No. 09/19 www.petpla.net 20 Turnkey from India High-end preform systems June 2019 We met: Mr Shurid Mody, CEO of PETform, Daman Must it always be a new turnkey preform system? Everyone who deals intensively with TCO asks themselves this question. On the one hand, complete systems like Husky or Nissei ASB promise high availability but they do require an enormous capital investment. Shurid Mody, CEO from PETform Technologies, Daman, has taken up this issue and has come up with an interesting solution. He offers reworked used systems with individual new moulds. His primary business is the devel- opment and construction of complete preform tools produced in-house and refurbishment sets for all tool and machinery providers. Whether for the Husky or the MHT principle, he supplies up to 144 cavities. He prefers the hot runner design from Otto Hofstetter. “Their runner system uses fewer elements, where the valve stem is always concentric with the gate regardless of being in cold or hot condition. This allows the use of larger manifolds and fewer points of melt transfer, making it less prone to melt leakages. Also, the complete valve stem assembly can be replaced without opening the hot runner. We take this concept to a higher level by improving the insulation between the hot and cold side reducing energy consumption significantly. Most pro- cessors in India using local equipment are not aware that their energy wast- age in the hot runner is around 30% of their overall energy consumption!” says Mr Mody. “Most Indian mould designers come from simple moulds for the Milacron systems and have less experience with high-tech moulds,” he continues. “Most mould makers in Asia tend to respond to their domes- tic markets with a focus on reducing cost per cavity. They then cut corners by using cheaper materials and less precise metal cutting machinery, and inspection equipment. This affects the preform quality, cycle time and life of the tool adversely. We use only high quality European manufactured steels that are alloyed more homogenously and include less impurities. We also use exotic materials such as titanium and ceramic in our hot runners to improve insulation between hot and cold side, saving the user thousands of dollars in energy costs per year while putting less load on the hot runner controllers, heaters and chilling plants. We understand the fundamen- tal science of high end tool making, machining & metrology and are not just another copy-paste mould manu- facturer from Asia.” He also supplies tools for Nissei ASB systems using higher quality steels vs the OEM. All critical moulds elements (wherever possible) are manufactured from corrosion resistant European manufactured stainless steels that are harder and tougher. The market for high end moulds like this in India is small so he exports the tools and sets throughout the world, with a focus on the North, Central & South American & European markets. Here, he has former Husky employ- ers, who install, run in and maintain the moulds on site. Five years ago he began by reworking Husky and Nissei sys- tems. “The mechanics of the systems are usually in order but the con- trols and the hydraulics need some exchanges,” explains Mr Mody. For the controls he relies on B&R but the hydraulics he exchanges com- pletely. “Servo pumps are used here, which make the old system energy efficient and are up to 10% faster and more accurate,” reports Mr Mody. He includes the unencrypted software alongside. The hydraulic components come from the catalogue so the cus- tomer can re-order cost effectively if necessary and is not reliant on expen- sive original replacement parts. With many years of experience in mould building, he can now carry out turnkey projects. Customised preform moulds are made on reworked sys- tems. This enables PETform Tech- nologies to guarantee high availability at quick cycles, individual moulds and reduced maintenance costs at low investment. A dream from any TCO point of view. In his factory, he can run up to 48 cavities and he is currently waiting for a larger machine so that he can test up to 96. All mould surfaces are cut to size; tolerances are around 3-4 microns. The second string to his bow is the production of special preforms for export. Wide mouth pre- forms are a speciality of his factory. www.petform.net Hot and cold sides stand ready for delivery. A tool set for Nissei ASB can be seen in the background. Tour Sponsors: