Georg Fischer Piping Systems bought a KraussMaffei MXH injection molding press with 3,200 metric tons of clamping force to mold extra-large pipe fittings. KM is claiming it's the largest injection press ever to be installed in Switzerland.
The press began production in late 2014 for GF Piping Systems of Schaffenhausen, Switzerland, part of Georg Fischer Ltd. It makes pipe fittings with a diameter of up to 500 millimeters (19.7 inches). The maximum shot weight is 120 kilograms (265 pounds).
One special challenge, according to KraussMaffei, was the high-viscosity polyethylene 10 material running on the large press. The solution involved optimized screw geometries and drives for the plasticizing unit.
“The controlled melt temperature during plasticizing prevents the melt from overheating during the plasticizing, preventing thermal decomposition of the material as a result. At the same time, a high plasticizing output with outstanding melt quantities is possible,” said Bruno Schleiss, managing director of KraussMaffei Schweiz AG.
KraussMaffei Group is based in Munich. The company's U.S. unit, KraussMaffei Corp. is in Florence, Ky.
Tel. 859-283-0200, www.kraussmaffei.com.