Arburg GmbH equipped its largest machine built specifically for packaging applications with an injection unit offering shot weights of 148 ounces for polystyrene material.
The hybrid Allrounder 1020 H Packaging was designed for high-cavitation molds and containers with volumes up to 8 gallons.
The machine, which has a clamping force of 660 tons, offers electrical speed and precision in the clamping unit with the hydraulic power of the new size 7000 injection unit.
Arburg says the servo-electric dosing drive ensures fast shot building, simultaneous with other machine operations, for maximum productivity while barrier screws ensure homogeneous melt preparation and a high material throughput.
The machine has been demonstrated producing round, 13-gram, thin-walled polypropylene cups in an 8+8-cavity stack mould in a cycle time of 4.3 seconds.
Hydraulic accumulator technology increases the injection speed. Arburg says active acceleration and deceleration enables the short injection times required in the packaging sector.
If production sequences need further improvement, injection can be started simultaneously with the "mold closing" movement as standard, Arburg says.
The 660-ton clamp of the machine also has been modified to meet the requirement for large-format packaging tooling. Arburg says the distance between tie bars is 40 inches and the mold-opening stroke creates up to 83 inches of daylight.
Dry-cycle times can range as low as 2.3 seconds, according to the machine maker, and energy savings up to 30 percent can be achieved compared to hydraulic clamping systems.
Arburg also says the steel machine base supports accommodate heavy mold weights and compensate for high-load changes during high-speed movements.