Monza, Italy-based Soffiaggio Tecnica srl (ST) says it has made strides in reducing energy consumption with its latest blow molding machinery while also making it versatile.
Founded in 1980, the business is showing the ASPI 400 with 40 tons of clamping force and a 4-liter accumulator head in booth S35080 at NPE2018. The next-generation model can produce pieces in two-dimension configurations, such as windshield washer reservoirs, or it can work with parison suction technology to produce 3D pieces, such as curvy air intake ducts for turbocharged engines.
ST has demonstrated the capabilities of its machinery in the past by producing tennis rackets, spiral walking sticks and shoehorns for show attendees. The company isn't saying what kind of novelty item the latest version of its machine will produce at NPE, but it is encouraging attendees to stop by the exhibit for a "nice giveaway."
The machine's innovations include a new heating control concept to reduce the use of electricity during the start-up process by modulating the power to each heating zone "to trim the energy peaks," according to an ST news release.
Also, an inverter in the hydraulic system controls the variable speed pumps, which adjusts oil output and reduces energy consumption as well as noise and wear, according to the company.
In addition, the model uses radio frequency identification (RFID) to let operators login quickly with a contact-less badge, managers set access levels based on user profiles, and user actions to be tracked and stored.
The machine connects to customers' smart factories with the standard communication protocol known as OPC UA (Open Platform Communications Unified Architecture) and has predictive tools to schedule maintenance and prevent unexpected downtime.
Machine data related to production, maintenance and quality can be accessed online with a new web application or from tablets and smartphones with a new ST app.
For NPE, ST is equipping the model with a 70 mm extruder. The screw profile is suitable for polyolefins or engineered polymers with high throughputs of 170 kilograms per hour of high density polyethylene or 130 kg/hour of nylon 6. The company says clamp platens of 35 inches by 43 inches will be able to accommodate molds of large dimensions compared to industry standards for parison suction machines.
