As part of the annual InnovationsForum, the Kunststoff-Institut Südwest (KISW) has commissioned a fully electric KraussMaffei AX-series injection moulding machine. The institute and the Munich-based injection moulding machine manufacturer are collaborating on projects to improve the quality of plastics products and increase the cost-efficiency of the production processes.
KISW promotes innovation, technology transfer and training. It aims to foster research, technology transfer and employee training in plastics technology and mould design and production.
This year's InnovationsForum saw KraussMaffei present institute director Siegfried Kaiser with a fully electric AX 100-380 injection moulding machine with an LRX 50 linear robot.
The AX machine concept comprises a large module for a variety of applications. For clamping forces of between 50 and 350 tonnes, many different plasticisation, automation and option ranges are available so that customers can find the right production solution. Highly dynamic, precise servomotors are able to move to set travel positions for the clamping unit or the ejector quickly and with absolute precision and reproducibility. The AX is said to offer extreme precision in reaching the exact transfer positions for the linear robot and transfers the parts reliably to the gripper, with an unerring accuracy of 0.001 mm. The mechanics with zero play, in combination with the linear guides of the moving platen, are behind the machine's energy efficiency and dynamics, says its manufacturer.