Wilmington Machinery Inc., a maker of low-pressure structural foam molding machines as well as custom-built, extrusion, thermoforming and blow molding equipment, is blurring the line between processes.
At NPE2018, the Wilmington, N.C., manufacturer will flaunt the unique capabilities of its Lumina MP800 medium-pressure injection molding machine at Booth W1823.
The company said its Lumina MP800 press is now available with a new compounding option, allowing molders to extrude custom-formulated resins and additives, and then inject them directly into the part. Wilmington Machinery said this reduces overall cost and improves performance. Custom formulations also provide the end user with lower material costs and more flexibility.
The press can mold large solid or foam parts with thinner sections, enabling weight reductions and faster cycle times, for the automotive, electronics, recreational and enclosures industries, among others.
The complete system can process commodity and engineering grades of thermoplastics, including 100 percent recycled materials as well as coupling agents, fillers and additives to improve part performance properties and optimize melt flow.
The two-stage unit has a 6-inch extruder with throughputs up to 2,000 pounds per hour. The press accepts hot or cold runner molds.
The hybrid design features a hydraulic press and an electric extruder drive. The company said the new Lumina offers fast cycle times that exceed earlier designs.