Cannon Group of Trezzano, Italy, announced that Cannon USA Inc. and Cannon Crios Italy have supplied the first four-position Rotoplug fixture line to a U.S. refrigerator manufacturer.
The fixture is fully adjustable to handle different cabinet dimensions without a range of sizes. It automatically adjusts sidewalls and the changeover mechanism, which uses a rotating upper frame where the tooling plugs are mounted. That design permits the fitting of four different plugs, with one suspended under the top frame used for foaming, and the opposite plug can be modified or replaced without disturbing production.
Rotoplug is based on the static-line principle, as the fixture is designed for foaming cabinets in the breakers-up position, Cannon said.
The company also introduced metering and mixing technology for molding automotive parts to stop noise and vibration. The metering machines are used on car assembly lines to inject foam into certain areas of the frame. Cannon's machine includes a special mix head that can operate at very low flows, with a range in ratio of the components.
Cannon also touted its new system to spray PU-based elastomers into an open mold with a simulated texture, forming a decorative skin the company claims performs better than traditional skin materials, such as vinyl.
Cannon USA, in Cranberry Township near Mars, Pa., said the automotive market is using the PU skin spray machines to make instrument and door panels. The company wants to expand the technology beyond the automotive market.
The firm also marketed its multicomponent mixing head, the AX line, which can run six components for foaming car seats.
The company said it has converted more than 60 production lines at customers to alternative blowing agents such as hydrocarbons, HFC 134-a, HFC 245-fa and HCFC 22.
Companywide, Cannon Group generated 2002 sales of 100 million euros ($94.5 million) from PU foaming equipment, mixing and metering machines and molds. Total sales were 340 million euros ($321 milllion). European sales account for 57 percent, followed by the United States at 20 percent, Asia at 17 percent and rest of the world at 6 percent.
Tel. (724) 772-5600, fax (724) 776-1070, e-mail [email protected] usa.com.
