In acknowledgement of Southern California’s status as a major medical technology hub, Arburg is bringing a turnkey production cell processing liquid silicone rubber (LSR) to Plastec West next month. An electric 470 A Allrounder integrated in a fully automated production cell will be on display at booth 3945 in hall B producing collapsible LSR-based cups.

Coming to the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, CA, on April 12 to 14, Plastec West is co-located with Medical Design & Manufacturing (MD&M), WestPack, automation show ATX, and Design & Manufacturing (D&M) under the Informa Markets – Engineering (IME) West umbrella.

"Silicone is often a very important material in medical technology, so we’ll be exhibiting a turnkey system for processing LSR at Plastec West,” said Arburg Inc. Managing Director Friedrich Kanz. "By doing this, we want to emphasize that we’re not just a supplier and machine manufacturer — we also work in genuine partnership with our customers by providing complete solutions. And that’s not all — our digital products afford customers even more opportunities to boost efficiency all the way along the value chain,” said Kanz.

At the booth, the production cycle begins with a vertical Multilift V robotic system that moves into the mold area from above and removes the finished part — a collapsible cup made of LSR. A thermoplastic ring is then inserted in the mold core for the next cycle and the cup is placed on a temperature-resistant conveyor belt. The cup weighs 84 grams and the cycle time is 45 seconds. The mold and automation system are supplied by partner company ACH Solution; the silicone pump is provided by Arburg partner Elmet; and the LSR comes from Shin-Etsu.

The 470 A Allrounder for LSR processing is equipped with an aXw Control ScrewPilot for high-precision injection and aXw Control PressurePilot, an optimized pressure control system that enlarges the process window, explained Arburg in the announcement. 

The machine is connected to Arburg’s ALS host computer system, which transmits a live image of the process at the booth and at the company’s remote services department. 

ALS makes it possible to record and analyze production data in real time. Additionally, visitors can find out more in the arburgXworld customer portal, which includes an overview of the machine fleet and enables online parts ordering. Arburg continues to add new digital services to the portal, such as a recent app for documenting mold sampling, tests, and injection molding processes.

Arburg also will have a presence at the co-located Design & Manufacturing West, where it will showcase its additive manufacturing portfolio. With the support of a Freeformer 300-3X on display at booth 3708, Arburg experts will demonstrate the potential of the Arburg Plastic Freeforming (APF) system in applications such as medical technology, the processing of soft materials. and the production of hard and soft compounds.

"Plastec West is a really important event in our calendar, second only to NPE in the rankings of major US trade fairs,” said Kanz in a prepared statement. “Thanks to Design & Manufacturing West, we can also showcase the freeformer, meaning that our entire processing spectrum will be exhibited."