WM Thermoforming Machines extends FC1000 series
The latest generation of the FC1000 series continues with a thermoformer designed to have maximal robustness and highest throughput per square feet.
The FC1000 IM2, the thermoformer shown during the upcoming NPE, is designed to offer 130 US Tons. Its engineered toggle and yoke compensation system, means it can run at the highest speed and cutting precision for any material from PET, PP, PLA and other biodegradable materials including paperboard. The ultra robust thermoformer minimises the vibration to a minimum, which results in less wearing of the cutting knives, less downtime and higher machine efficiency and productivity.
The IM2 configuration enables our customers to easily switch from the “forming with in-mould trimming” to the “forming with separate trimming” in function of the specific production needs such as dividing the precutting from the contour cutting or increasing the cutting accuracy for the highly shrinkable materials such as Polypropylene.
Part of our latest new product development, our inline thermoformers will now have the option to integrate a visual inspection system from our exclusive partner Ausil Systems, which is able to detect different product quality issues such as defective thermoformed trays, presence of foreign objects, punch and die-cutting flaws.
Flexibility and speed can be found in WM’s 3-axis robot which has up to 10 different mode settings that can handle an endless number of product designs and mould layouts.
WM’s “plug and play” system, which thanks to its machine design, is to be found in our complete machine range and allowing our customers to reduce the startup time to only three days.
However, the major development of the latest FC1000 series consists of the improved and redesigned software, which is now faster, easier and primarily consists of the following:
- Multi-user-access: several users can log-in simultaneously into the software operating system to consult all machine data
- Graphics: new look but same logic with data request functions on demand
- Diagnostics: extended diagnostic functions and solutions
- Exploded views, technical diagrams, and troubleshooting manual
- The improved self-setting automatically calculates up to 90% of the optimal machine settings and process parameters, allowing the experienced operator to shorten the machine startup time and the less experienced operator to learn from the machine algorithm. The robot on the other hand is synchronised according to heaters and machine cycle time
- OPC UA protocol to connect with Industry 4.0
- Machine maintenance intervals automatically displayed on the monitor
- my FX app available to check your machine from wherever you are
During the NPE show, we also will be presenting the concept of our new FX1000 model, ready to be launched by the end of 2024. With this model, WM will be creating a new product category aiming to further enhance the features of maximum size and speed.