TAGS: Machinery Sustainability and Bioplastics
The focus of the Arburg trade fair stand (H4, Hall 4) at Interplas from 28 to 30 September, 2021 in Birmingham, UK, will be a digitally networked, electric Allrounder with a ground-breaking Gestica-control system.
The smart turnkey system manufactures plastic cups fully automatically, which can be sorted by type by means of a digital product passport. The application sets new plastics processing standards in terms of digitalization, automation and the circular economy. The Arburg host computer system ALS and the arburgXworld customer portal will also be on show at the exhibition.
Smart System with Endless Features
The system is an electric Allrounder 370 A with a clamping force of 600 kN, a single hot runner mold by Haidlmair and the new vertical robotic system Multilift V 20 with a 20 kg load in a transverse design. The machine is also equipped with an IIoT gateway as standard. In addition, the system is connected to the Arburg Turnkey Control Module (ATCM) Scada system, which amalgamates all the relevant process and quality data for each specific part. A cup is manufactured from PP, then printed with a QR code according to the
injection molding process. This enables separation by type after use.
As a result Arburg – as an exclusive engineering partner in the R-Cycle initiative – demonstrates with cup production too how high-quality recyclate can be recovered from plastic waste after products have been used, thereby closing the recycling loop.
The pivotal element of R-Cycle is a database that contains all the information about the materials used. As a result, every plastic product is assigned a digital product passport. As early as the injection molding stage, data relating to aspects such as raw materials and coloring agents are transmitted. The code is then read, making separation by type possible.
Intelligent Assistance Systems
The exhibit is equipped with intelligent assistance systems. This enable the aXw Control FillAssist to run filling simulations directly on the Gestica control system screen. The tool uses the pre-created simulation model and part geometry to make changeover and set-up more efficient. The three other control systems, "aXw Control ScrewPilot", "aXw Control PressurePilot" and "aXw Control ReferencePilot", ensure injection is adaptive and regulated. These are control strategies that build on each other and offer solutions for key quality requirements such as constant shot weights and uniform mold filling.
At two terminals, visitors can learn how to digitalize their production with the "arburgXworld" customer portal and the Arburg host computer system ALS. Via the connection to ALS, production data can be recorded and analyzed in real time, significantly increasing production efficiency and transparency.
With its free-of-charge basic version and numerous apps and configuration levels, "arburgXworld" offers customers comprehensive digital support and access to a wealth of information and Arburg know-how. Key features include an overview of the machine fleet (MachineCenter). Arburg is continually updating its customer portal with new digital services, which create added value and make everyday injection molding easier. This includes the “AnalyticsCenter” for documenting mold sampling, tests, and injection molding processes.
Source: Arburg
