K Showcase: Arburg turns machine setup into a simple five-step process

Among the array of new technology in the Arburg stand, one of the most interesting would have to be the new Setup Assistant module for the company’s updated Selogica control system. Arburg also supplies robots and other automation, so it asked itself this: If menu-guided, accompanied setup—the so-called “teach-in” of robotic sequences—works, then why not apply the same principle to the entire injection molding process?

There is no doubt that creating the Set-up Assistant was a good bit more difficult than asking that question, but Arburg has done it. From installation of the mold to automatic initial calculation of the parameters to the finished production sequence takes just five steps when using Set-up Assistant. The main advantages of this new Selogica module are: 1) the installation technician no longer needs to be an expert in the control system to set up the entire molding process; and 2) because of the Set-up Assistant’s flexibility and the automatic functions that run in the background, the complete preparation of an Allrounder injection molding system is now much faster than it has been.

Here’s the five-step process breakdown:

1. The installation technician selects the machine functions that the Allrounder machine needs to operate—for example, core pull, sorter unit, or ejector.

2. The Set-up Assistant actively supports mold installation, specifying the optimum sequence of operational steps so that they need only be performed consecutively and confirmed.

3. The Assistant prompts the technician to enter the key data for this molding process, which is all the Selogica control needs to automatically calculate temperatures, pressures, and speeds, as well as all other parameters.

4. The technician determines which parameters the Selogica is to calculate automatically.

5. This last step does the “teachin” of the machine sequence by setting it up to follow the machine sequence. All the installation technician has to do at this point is move to the required positions consecutively and confirm them.

Once those five steps are done, said Arburg, preparing the Allrounder for use is easy. In addition, each partial function can be used individually, which ensures that the technician is supported during every mold change and setup operation.

Within the Arburg stand was an area where a visitor could operate the Selogica and the Set-up Assistant, and each Allrounder molding system operating in the stand was equipped with the Selogica control system. An Allrounder 570H with a 2000-kN clamp cycling a six-cavity mold made thin-wall, round tubs using an IML system from Arburg partner Hof Rui Chamnas stetter in about 3.5 seconds.

Interested in medical? An electric Allrounder 520A cycled a 32-cavity Schöttli mold for syringe barrels in 7.7 seconds, its clamp within a cleanroom enclosure of V2A stainless steel.

More? LSR molding of an automotive windscreen coupling cushion; cable encapsulation in a cell with a six-axis robot managed through the machine control; micromolding of 0.005g parts under an ionization hood on an Allrounder 270A with dosing and injection handled by a two-stage screw/piston system; and more were on display. —PTStaff