All-electric show from Niigata at NPE

With its 100% focus on all-electric injection molding machines, Niigata (booth W13630) will bring two all-new offerings to the North American market: a horizontal press and a vertical press.

Niigata introduced the world’s first all-electric vertical injection molding machines in 1996 and its latest machine, the MDVR110S7000 with a two-station rotary table, features a number of advances.

While many vertical machines are traditionally hobbled by high table heights, forcing the processor to build a work platform around the machine, the Niigata patented vertical toggle system allows lowering the table height on this 110-ton model to just 3.4 feet from the ground, including leveling pads. The machine also possesses a wider table than standard verticals, allowing larger molds to be placed on the platen. The MDVR110S7000 boasts a mold size capacity of 500 mm x 500 mm (33.64” x 33.64”).
Performance-wise, a table rotation time of under one second is claimed, while an ultra-low injection speed capability of just o.01 mm/sec can be beneficial in molding thicker walled insert jobs.
With a two-station machine running separate “A” and “B” mold halves, processors can often encounter problems with differences in mold halves causing part variations. With the Niigata vertical, however, two completely independent injection profiles can be set for the “A” and “B” halves, allowing the molder to finish the job without making expensive and time-consuming mold repairs or adjustments.
Having introduced its first fully-electric machine at the Japan Plastics Fair in 1984, Niigata all-electric machines are now in their seventh generation. The MD110S7000 all-electric eliminates the moving platen’s lower side tie bar bushings to improve the cleanliness of the part drop area. Further, addition of an FDA-approved grease supply system allows medical cleanroom and food grade applications to be processed with fewer worries about part contamination.
In addition, Niigata’s standard high nozzle touch force, similar to that of the hydraulic machines, can now be dialed down when the application allows, to promote longer sprue bushing life. Moreover, fully automatic and adjustable mold clamping force is continuously monitored by tie bar sensors. Finally, Niigata’s horizontal machines are claimed to boast the industry’s shortest footprint, but heaviest overall weight to deliver superior machine durability.
Also in the Niigata booth, the OEM’s "workhorse machine," the MD385, will be exhibited running a drink cup mold provided by a customer, together with an in-mold labeling system manufactured by Italy’s Campetella.
Elsewhere at NPE, Niigata’s small size all-electric press will be exhibited at the booth of LUBE Corp. USA (W2389). This machine will have clear covers, highlighting the automatic lube system of the machine.