Arburg demonstrates production efficiency at Swiss Plastics

Wirtschaftliche Automationslösung: elektrischer Allrounder 370 E mit servoelektrischem Integralpicker V. / Cost-effective automation solution: an electric Allrounder 370 E with servo-electric Integralpicker V.

•    Established team: electric Allrounder 370 E and servo-electric Integralpicker V as high-performance unit
•    Always efficient: plastic parts production with Arburg solutions
•    Exciting specialist presentation: Herbert Kraibühler, Managing Director Technology & Engineering, introduces the new Freeformer

Production-efficient manufacture can only succeed with the appropriately configured machines. Arburg consistently puts this philosophy into practice in its product range. At the Swiss Plastics trade fair, which will take place in Lucerne from 21 to 23 January 2014, the company will present an cost-effective injection moulding solution for technical precision parts: an electric Allrounder 370 E injection moulding machine with servo-electric Integralpicker V. Furthermore, visitors to the Swiss Plastics fair will have an opportunity to see the new Freeformer for themselves as part of a specialist presentation. This unique system for additive manufacturing will be introduced by one of its creators, Arburg Managing Director Technology & Engineering Herbert Kraibühler.

“The production of moulded parts in optimal quality at minimum unit costs and the search for potential optimisation measures are important issues for our customers,” explains Marcel Spadini, Managing Director of Arburg's Swiss subsidiary: “That’s why the topic of production efficiency is always a priority for us. All potential for enhancing energy efficiency, reducing cycle times and optimising manufacturing organisation contributes to the improvement of part production. This is precisely what will be demonstrated by our exhibit, an electric Edrive series Allrounder with a servo-electric Integralpicker V. The electric drives and the precise coordination of all components produce benefits in terms of energy efficiency, precision and cycle times.”

Edrive: cost-effective entry into the world of electric machines

Edrive (E) is the entry-level machine series into Arburg’s electric machine world. These machines can be used to solve demanding injection moulding tasks precisely and cost-effectively. The clamping force range extends from 350 to 5,000 kN and can be combined with the various sizes of the injection unit on a modular basis. Energy requirements of up to 50 per cent less than with hydraulic machines, combined with an attractive cost/benefit ratio, make the Allrounder E a functional alternative to hydraulic machines.

The exhibit on show at Swiss Plastics is an Allrounder 370 E with a clamping force of 600 kN and a size 170 injection unit, which is equipped with a highly wear-resistant thermoplastic cylinder and a 30 millimetre screw. The machine operates with a precision mould made by Stamm and produces two 8.5 gram housings for knife sharpeners in a cycle time of 23 seconds.

Automation: servo-electric Integralpicker V for fast interventions

The Integralpicker V is the perfect complement for the powerful Allrounder 370 E with its fast vertical intervention options. The robot system offers low-cost entry into automated part removal. Three servo-electric axes permit fast, precise intervention. The features of this picker include simultaneous, freely-programmable machine movements, as well as high dynamics, repeat accuracy and energy efficiency. The standard teach-in function is a quick and easy way to program the picker, resulting in short set-up times.

Individual solutions ensure production efficiency

“Production efficiency calls for customised solutions. However this is not to say that mean that these can’t be economical and cost-effective,” explains Marcel Spadini. “We’re providing a good example of this with the combination of electric Allrounder 370 E and servo-electric Integralpicker V. Here, energy efficiency, speed and precision are brought together in a configuration that is also extremely attractive in terms of price. Anyone looking to get started in automated production and wishing to use high-end injection moulding technology will be able to pick up some interesting tips from Arburg live at the Swiss Plastics. By talking to our specialists, they will also find out about alternatives that we can precisely tailor to achieve production-efficient manufacturing at their plant.”

Expert presentation: an in-depth look at the Freeformer

Another highlight from Arburg will be the Freeformer presentation on Wednesday 22 January 2013 at 3.20 p.m. in Forum 1. This unique additive manufacturing system will be introduced by one of its creators, Arburg Managing Director Technology & Engineering Herbert Kraibühler. The Freeformer and the Arburg Plastic Freeforming process (AFK) caused a sensation in the international plastics world when they made their international debut at the K 2013. With AFK, 3D CAD files are processed directly, standard plastic granulate is melted in an integrated manner as in the injection moulding process and droplets are generated from the liquid melt. These droplets are then used to additively build up the fully functional component layer-by-layer, without requiring a mould. This enables the cost-effective individual manufacture of parts completely without injection moulds, either as one-off parts or in small-volume batches.