Milacron Inc. kicked off major plans for the Chinese processing market by presenting its two-platen Maxima big-machine line at AP PLAS, held in Shanghai July 13-16. The company demonstrated a 650-ton Maxima injection machine built by Milacron China. Milacron is now selling locally built Maximas in China with clamping forces from 500 tonnes to 4000 tonnes. "We see a special opportunity for large, worldclass molding technology, particularly with international companies that are setting up or expanding manufacturing in China," says Dr. Karlheinz Bourdon, Milacron president of global plastics machinery.
In fact, the 650-ton machine is the smallest built to date in China by Milacron-the first less than 1000 tonnes. The local plant is currently assembling a 1600-tonne Maxima and will follow it immediately with two 3000-tonne Maximas, notes Bourdon.
The global-design Maxima allows international manufacturers to standardize and optimize plastics production by molding parts on the same machine in multiple markets on any continent, says Bourdon. China-built models are identical to Maximas that Milacron builds in North America, Europe, and India, he stresses.
For AP PLAS, the Maxima 650 ran an automotive part, an ABS front grille, using robotic part removal to a conveyor. Following the show, the machine will go to Jiangnan Mould & Plastic Technology Co.'s (JMP) Shenyang plant to mold automotive exterior parts. JMP is also Milacron's joint venture partner for machine production. Milacron Inc., Cincinnati, OH; www.milacron.com.
