Milacron Inc. (Booths S1640 and S3006) has cracked the 1,000-ton barrier for an all-electric machine, by announcing at NPE a new 1,125-ton version of its Powerline press.
Up until now, the largest Powerline had a clamping force of 935 tons.
Of course, Milacron will not have an actual Powerline press at its NPE booth - or any other machines this year. But the company released details about the big press ahead of the show.
Milacron said the 1,125-ton Powerline brings a 60-percent energy savings, wide-platen configuration and the repeatability of all-electric technology to large-part molding - markets such as automotive, appliance and housewares.
Like other Powerlines, the press features Milacron's patented two-stage injection unit, which combines an extruder/shot pot with screw.
The 1,125-ton press can drive home a maximum shot of 220 ounces. Maximum injection pressure is 35,000 pounds per square inch.
The machine builds full clamping force tonnage in 4.3 seconds, but allows injection to begin before it reaches full tonnage, to cut cycle times. Cycles also are improved by allowing pre-compression, relaxing the toggle during part cooling to wait on tonnage to release before the clamp opens.
M. Barr Klaus, Milacron's vice president of technology, said the press uses four electric motors. The two-stage injection unit allows Milacron to use a smaller ball-screw, keeping costs down.