KraussMaffei debuts PX all-electric injection molding machine at K 2016

At K 2016 KraussMaffei Group (Hall 15/B27) unveiled its brand new PX all-electric injection molding machine that, said the company, can be completely tailored by the customer to their specific molding needs.

The all-electric toggle machine is available in five sizes ranging from 500 to 2000 kN. Conceived and designed with flexibility in mind, the company has basically taken the tried-and-tested modular concept of its hydraulic series, and transferred this to the all-electric PX. The result is a new machine series that takes modularity to new heights.

“Until now, customers have most often been forced to decide between the low-budget and high-end designs,” said Hans Ulrich Golz, managing director of KraussMaffei and president of the company’s injection molding machinery segment. “KraussMaffei is now presenting the first all-electric machines on the market which the customer may tailor to its specific manufacturing needs in the modular principle in the hydraulic area.”

“This includes configuring the machine with larger platens, faster injection speeds, more ejector force and the ability to be operated with food-grade lubricants,” he said. “There are a total of 44 unique combinations.”

How is this achieved? In the first place, the injection and clamping unit can be combined individually from a wide choice of sizes. Secondly, versions of the PX come standard with the larger platens of the next higher clamping force. These intermediate models are identified using odd numbers, i.e., PX 51 to PX 161. The larger clearance corresponds to an increased maximum mold weight, approximately 750 kilograms for the PX 51 compared to 450 kilograms for the PX 50. The larger platens mean that the entire machine bed of the machine that is next in size is then used, ensuring that the high mold weight receives the necessary linear support.

The machine bed of the PX is split, allowing clamping and injection units to be combined as necessary. Large clamping units can be combined with small injection units, so that no space is taken up more than what is absolutely necessary for the production order. There are five injection units available for each clamping unit. Each injection unit has its own performance level and can be fitted with one of three to four different screw diameters.

The three main axes of the PX for the injection unit, plasticizing unit and clamping unit are driven by air-cooled servomotors, making the PX exceptionally economical in terms of energy and water consumption. These servomotors also work in what is called "recuperative mode," where brake energy is converted back into electricity, so that up to 60 percent of the brake energy can either be temporarily stored for use by the machine itself, or fed back into the power supply.

On the standard PX version, each axis for the injection unit and ejector movements operate using servo hydraulics. The initial movement takes place via two parallel injection unit barrels enabling nozzle contact forces to be built up very quickly and free of lateral forces, unlike the movements carried out with only one electric barrel.

The machine comes with a servo hydraulic ejector drive, as a standard, for reasons of durability. However, customers do have the option of an electric ejector drive, if desired.

And when it comes to the clamping unit, three things matter, said Golz: “Geometry, force and speed. In all three areas, the PX offers options for coordinating the machine to meet individual requirements.”

Thanks to the extremely wide support of the moving platens on linear guides, a precise parallel movement is always achieved. The tiebars are released and thus are always free of lubricant and clean. The clamping unit bed has been designed so that the entire area under the clamping unit, lengthwise and crosswise and all the way to the floor, offers space for failure and parts logistics.

The PX is a complement of Netstal’s high performance Elion machine. “It’s universal,” said Golz. “This machine covers the entire market area. Medical, technical, automotive, this machine can do it all.”