Seoul—The automotive sector was top on the agenda for Korea's injection molding machine suppliers as evidenced by offerings on display at the Koplas show held recently in Seoul, South Korea.
The LGE1300HB hybrid from LS Mtron Ltd. (Anyang) was one such unit, being touted in particular for molding of acrylic lamps. "We've already scored success through a delivery to Japanese Tier I Koito with 15 units delivered to their China plant," says Lee Jong-Hun, General Manager of the Overseas Sales Team at LS. The machine is "80% electric," with hydraulic actuation only used for final clamping and nozzle touch.
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| Hybrid press is "80% electric." |
For its part, Woojin PLAIMM (Incheon) has developing a two-shot machine for molding dashboards. The 3000-tonne press enables molding with rigid PP material for the unexposed portion of the instrument panel, and a softer TPE material facing the driver and passenger in the cockpit. "This dashboard was developed to improve crash safety," says Andrew Kim, Regional Sales Manager of the Chicago Branch of Woojin. "It is already being used by a South Korean automaker.
Further, Dongshin Hydraulics Co. (Busan) has developed an injection machine targeted at high processing productivity. The Twifit 650 uses a single screw and plunger with two nozzles to feed two cavities. While one part is cooling after being injected, the injection unit prepares the next shot for filling the second cavity. The OEM sees potential application in the auto sector.
