First time: Sumitomo (SHI) Demag stand presents entirely all-electric machines at Fakuma

Sumitomo (SHI) Demag has accelerated its strategic plans to roll out its IntElect machine portfolio to every market. Its stand at Fakuma 2023, for the first time, will feature entirely all-electric injection molding machines.

The machine builder will be showcasing options from the IntElect platform, with a special focus on automation and LSR.

New IntElect S machine for packaging

Achieving a dry fast cycle time of less than 4 seconds, Sumitomo (SHI) Demag will be launching the IntElectS 220 ton clamp force machine for packaging on the main stand, addressing the challenge of energy consumption faced by mass-packaging molders.

Designed specifically to process narrow tolerance and thin-walled packaging items at injection speeds reaching 350 mm/s, the live exhibit will manufacture recyclable IML lids with a shot weight of 28 grams for 500ml margarine containers.

Using a 4-cavity mold tool supplied by Bazigos, the lids are all made from Borealis polypropylene, a monomer material that is 100 percent recyclable. Integrated into the machine is a side-entry robot from automation specialist Campetella, which efficiently removes the lids from the mold tool, stacking them onto a conveyor belt.

An all-electric IntElectS injection molding machine. 

LSR IntElect package in action

On main stand, Sumitomo (SHI) Demag will highlight its exemplary multi-cavity LSR processing competence, including OPC-UA interface compatibility, on a fully electric IntElect 180/570-250 injection molding machine.

In a cycle time of 19 seconds, this IntElect LSR package will produce 256 individual 15-gram conductor seals with absolute precision and stability.

LSR tooling specialist RICO supplies the 256-cavity open tool system. The Elastosil material from Wacker is dispensed via a dosing system supplied by Reinhardt-Technik. After each shot, an integrated Sepro robot removes the parts and inserts them into a nest pipe system.

Characterised by its low energy consumption, this full LSR package includes the injection unit, robot, vacuum and venting. To ensure full traceability of components, the OPC interface connects to the IntElect processing data in real-time.

Integration and automation capability showcased

Showcasing the company’s total integration and automation competence, robotics will be prevalent on the main Sumitomo (SHI) Demag stand, as well on the partner booths.

The IntElect 75 machine on the main stand demonstrates the SAM-C3 handle & place capabilities. Combined with a conveyor belt and sprue mill, every element of the injection molding process is enclosed within the low height production cell.

Uninterrupted, this exhibit will produce two consumer cover caps made of high-density polyethylene, supplied by MOL Group. During the 25 second cycle time, 32 grams of material is injected into each of the two mold cavities, with the Cartesian vertical telescopic axis extracting the parts and placing them onto an enclosed conveyor.

An all-electric IntElect injecion molding machine.  

Customized automation projects on stage

Catering to more complex and industry-specific requirements, Sumitomo (SHI) Demag continues to collaborate with numerous industry and automation partners.

Visitors from the medical industry can see the compact turnkey cell on the Hekuma stand. Utilizing the dynamic direct drive technology on a cleanroom and GMP-compliant IntElect S 100/470-250 machine, 32 perfectly straight pipette tips will be manufactured, demolded, and placed into corresponding racks in under 5 seconds.

The 32-cavity tool from Schöttli ensures 9 grams of polypropylene material evenly fills every cavity, with a 6-axis HEKUtip gripper system engineered by HEKUMA automating the demolding and quality inspection process.