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New innovation center at UMass Lowell adds Sumitomo (SHI) Demag machineNew innovation center at UMass Lowell adds Sumitomo (SHI) Demag machine

The University of Massachusetts Lowell's (UMass Lowell) Emerging Technologies and Innovation Center (ETIC) has a new Sumitomo (SHI) Demag SE-EV Series all-electric injection molding machine as part of that machinery supplier's commitment to "keep the university supplied with the latest technology from Sumitomo (SHI) Demag."

PlasticsToday Staff

November 7, 2012

2 Min Read
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The University of Massachusetts Lowell's (UMass Lowell) Emerging Technologies and Innovation Center (ETIC) has a new Sumitomo (SHI) Demag SE-EV Series all-electric injection molding machine as part of that machinery supplier's commitment to "keep the university supplied with the latest technology from Sumitomo (SHI) Demag."

Mike Formella, Sumitomo (SHI) Demag's national sales manager, told PlasticsToday that UMass Lowell has utilized Sumitomo (SHI) Demag machines for many years, with the newest press on loan for a one-year period. The university also has an SE75DUZ all-electric, which was on loan and later acquired by the university. That machine is currently located in the Ball Hall injection molding lab. 

A Sumitomo (SHI) Demag SE-EV Series all-electric injection molding machine is on loan to UMass Lowell's new Emerging Technologies and Innovation Center (ETIC) for the next year.

Formella said the machine includes some standard options, plus an interface for an RJG eDart System. "The high injection speeds and pressures, which are a standard feature of the SE-EV, are what makes the machine so well suited for the research being conducted in packaging materials with increased barrier properties and specialized compounds for medical applications," Formella said.

"Impressive facility" committed to research
The ETIC is a new, $80 million, 84,000-sq-ft facility that UMass Lowell says will undertake "cutting-edge research" in nanotechnology, molecular biology,
plastics engineering, and optics in fields, including life sciences, energy, national security, environmental protection and more.

John F. Martich III, COO of Sumitomo (SHI) Demag's U.S. operations, said in a release that the machine loan makes sense for both parties. "Our commitment to advanced technology and innovation is well aligned with the mission of this exciting new technology center," Martich said, "and we congratulate the university on the opening of this impressive facility."

Robert Malloy, chair of the 
Plastics Engineering Department, said the SE-EV will be
used to support graduate-level research and lab experience for undergraduates. Research will entail injection
molding studies, including process control, with the primary function being testing new compounds developed in the
compounding lab.

The SE50EV all-electric has a clamping force of 56 tons, injection and hold pressures up to 39,740 psi, injection speeds up to 19.69 in/sec and a mold open/close speed of 47.24 in/sec. Its energy efficiency satisfies the school's green design concept for this new facility, which is targeted to achieve LEED Gold Certification. The SE-EV Series of all-electric injection molding machines were introduced to the North American market at NPE 2012 and are available in five model sizes from 56 to 202 tons.

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