Friedricshafen, Germany — Leaders of Sumitomo (SHI) Demag Plastics Machinery GmbH said its high-speed IntElect all-electric injection presses are getting even faster, with the introduction of the IntElect S at Fakuma.
IntElect S machines boast injection speeds of up to 500 millimeters per second. The standard IntElect line goes up to 200 millimeters per second, CEO Gerd Liebig said during Sumitomo Demag's Oct. 17 news conference.
IntElect S presses are available in clamping forces from 50-180 metric tons. The company, which plans to add larger sizes, is aiming the IntElect S at applications that have cycle times between 3 and 10 seconds.
At Fakuma, a 130-tonne IntElect molded medical pipettes on a 32-cavity mold. The press has Waldorf Technik's compact automation system, the VarioTip, that includes 100 percent camera inspection. A Max Petek laminar flow hood keeps the molding area clean.
Another IntElect S press, an 180-tonne machine, ishowed off the company's new SDR Speed robot series, at the Sepro Robotique exhibit (Hall A1, Booth 1203).
Liebig said Sumitomo Demag has now built about 60,000 all-electric machines.
"Our in-house drive technology has advanced to a level that delivers not only fast cycle times and unparalleled process stability, but also guarantees maximum energy efficiency," he said.
In business news, Liebig echoed other European injection press manufacturers in saying the business is leveling out. For Sumitomo Demag, he cited a combination of factors, including reduced electronic production in China, lower sales for German automakers, in part from the diesel scandal and U.S. tariffs, and a stabilization in Mexico in the last six months after a period of very strong growth.
Liebig thinks the situation should stabilize in the first quarter of 2019 as conditions become clearer.
But business has been solid for Sumitomo Demag in 2018. Liebig said sales will increase to $289 million in 2018, a 10 percent gain from 2017 sales of $261 million.
Orders also have increased, to 1,750 units this year, from 1,250 units in 2017. Liebig said Sumitomo Demag is expecting offers to hit 2,500.
According to Liebig, Sumitomo Demag has a 20 percent European market share in injection presses for packaging and 18 percent worldwide. For all-electric machines, the company has a 21 percent market share in Europe and 23 percent worldwide. The higher all-electric global market share is because of the strength in Asia, he said.
In other Fakuma news, Sumitomo Demag is demonstrating in-mold decoration by molding polypropylene yogurt cups on an El-Exis SP on a four-cavity mold. Cycle time is less than 3 seconds.
Automotive molding is shown with a 280-tonne Systec Servo press molding a door trim part. The press does IML, then gets covered by a Kurz foil for touch functions.
Sumitomo Demag is also showing its myConnect platform, which was launched at last year's Fakuma. Andreas Schramm, general manager of automation, said myConnect covers a broad range of functions, including online support, complete machine documentation, online spare parts ordering, a maintenance manager and an app that gives an overview of all manufacturing plants.
