Mold Components & Systems

Sidel (Le Havre Cedex, France) has developed a new, self-lubricating composite material for studs and wear rings that eliminates the need for greasing moving parts, allowing blowmolders to cut weekly maintenance operations. The Kohlox thermocomposite material has a low coefficient of friction, allowing parts to move freely without any lubrication.

A family of high-sensitivity, rugged piezoresistive gauge pressure transducers can endure shocks of up to 20,000 psig, according to supplier Endevco Corp. (San Juan Capistrano, CA). The 8511A Series is designed for maximum reliability under extreme measurement environments, while offering optimum sensitivity and a wideband frequency response.

Stack molds employed for processing bottle caps stand to gain benefits in cycle time and tool compactness through using the latest DT Series Collapsible Cores from Progressive Components (Wauconda, IL). Available as a standard off-the-shelf component, the DT Core is described as a “positive, mechanically actuated collapsible core” that slashes cycle times compared with complex gear and rack approaches, resulting in a simplified “open-shut” tool.

Zeiger Industries (Canton, OH) has introduced the Zeiger Z3 three-piece screw-tip injection molding valve for general injection molding applications. Compared to typical three-piece screw-tip valves, the new Zeiger Z3 is said to offer longer injection molding valve life, fewer breakdowns, and better value. The valve is precision-crafted from D-2 tool steel, and hardened to 60 Rockwell C for good corrosion and abrasion resistance that outlasts the “veneer approach” of nitrided steel.

Hasco (Lüdenscheid, Germany) has extended its range of latch locking devices with a new compact internally mounted variant, the Z178. Internal latch locking units have the advantage that they do not increase the dimensions of the mold and, being protected inside the mold, ensure reliable graduation of the plate opening movements.

The Z1680 Series pneumatic ejector coupling device from Hasco Hasenclever GmbH + Co. KG (Lüdenscheid, Germany) is said to significantly reduce setup time of the ejector system, which is particularly useful for processors handling frequent mold changes. The reliable and compact device is activated pneumatically and reliably locks the coupling rod mechanically and without the continued assistance of compressed air.

Standards set by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) recommend a maximum specific volume resistance for materials used in applications that come in contact with fuel, and thanks to carbon nanotube additives in BASF’s (Ludwigshafen, Germany) polyoxymethylene (POM) Ultraform N2320 C, the material is 30,000 times more conductive than necessary, while maintaining toughness.

Corotec Corp. (Farmington, CT) has introduced a new line of Plasma-Jet surface treatment systems for 3D parts featuring a 50% smaller discharge head design, which enables installation and operation in space-restricted applications. The new design moves the blower and filter assembly away from the discharge head and locates it inside the main cabinet.

Wittmann introduced a new solution for inmold labeling (IML), which offers the highest efficiency and at the same time the lowest capital cost, according to the company. The IML system is based on the new W717 robot and is designed for molding machines ranging from 90 to 275 tons clamp force and molding cycles of 5 seconds or more. The system provides automatic insertion of labels into one- and two-cavity molds and free drop of the finished parts.

Husky offers the Ultra 350 valve gate system, one of the smallest valve gate nozzles available on the market—having a seal diameter of only 8 mm, a bore diameter of 16 mm, and a minimum nozzle spacing of 18 mm with plate actuation, and 25.4 mm with individual stem actuation.